SPLM’s Internal Politics: A Catalyst to the Dissolution of Government
Publication Summary
This brief provides updates on the political developments within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party after the dissolution and the formation of the new government. This piece brief is a direct response to many inquiries that have come from multiple sectors of the society eager to understand what is becoming of the popular movement. The brief responds to some of these lingering concerns and assesses where the party currently stands in terms of the unity of its structures, considering the paralysis that had beleaguered it prior to the recent government dissolution. The reshuffle of the government followed months of reported stalemate within the ruling party’s political bureau, which is alleged to have paralyzed it and the government, culminating in the government’s most courageous shakeup. In fact, the shakeup had been rumored for months, and in the evening of July 23rd 2013, President Kiir announced the dissolution of his entire cabinet, including the dismissal of his longstanding Vice President and the suspension of the SPLM Secretary General (SG). The scope and magnitude of this action by the president stunned the whole nation and the world.
Abraham Awolich is the former Managing Director of the Sudd Institute. Awolich’s research has focused on management of development organizations working in conflict mitigation, governance and business management. Awolich is the co-founder of the Sudan Development Foundation and the former Executive Director of New Sudan Education Initiative (NESEI). Previous to joining the Sudd Institute, Awolich helped establish a secondary school in Yei and a medical clinic in Kalthok, Awerial County. Awolich has a Master’s Degree in Pubic Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Vermont in Anthropology and Business Administration. Awolich is a McNair Scholar and winner of the prestigious Samuel Huntington Public Service Award in 2006.