The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A)

About the Book

The Republic of South Sudan, the world’s “youngest country,” gained independence from Sudan following decades of civil war in 2011, with fanfare, high hopes, and great expectations. The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), the primary military force that fought for independence, transformed into the political rulers of the new country and lost its vision of a free and prosperous nation. Within two years of independence, the country has quickly degenerated into internecine warfare with fifty thousand to one hundred thousand dead, four million more refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), and half the population of the country (six to seven million) facing starvation. The blame for this state of affairs rests primarily on the SPLM/A leadership who have failed to put the interests of their people ahead of their own corrupt interests. In this firsthand analysis of the South Sudan, the authors explain how the corruption, leadership struggles, infighting, and undemocratic culture of the SPLM/A have led to the current crises. The majority of citizens felt that their novel cause has been stolen by their selfish leaders and the hope for a better life has just disappeared like the morning mist.

About the Author

Professor JULIA AKER DUANY She is currently Vice Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, CEO and founder of Gender Equity and Women Leadership Program in South Sudan. Formerly Chief of Party of South Sudan Higher Education Initiative and Leadership Development, Research Associate at Vincent and Lin Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis at Indiana University. A Fulbright Scholar at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, She was formerly the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Chairperson of Recruitment and Selection Board in the Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development in the Government of South Sudan (GOSS). She taught in primary and secondary schools in Sudan and United States. She and her family fled from Sudan when war broke out in 1984, and she earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the Indiana University School of Education. Always concerned about social justice issues in her country, she co- founded the South Sudan Friends International with her husband and wrote a book entitled ‘Making Peace and Nurturing Life: a Memoir of an African Woman about a Journey of Struggle and Hope’. She wrote extensively on social, justice and gender issues and she is very passionate about bringing in more South Sudanese women into political leadership roles. Winner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Building Bridges Award for Faculty for dedication to service and outstanding leadership, Indiana University 2005 and Refugee Women Leadership Award for Valuable Contribution to Refugees, Women Commission for Refugees 1995, New York, USA.