March 22,2025.
By: Gen. John Sunday Martin
No hero or heroine who sacrificed their life for this nation during the liberation struggles can rest peacefully in their graves, as the current SPLM regime and its leaders have lost sight of their priorities. They are neglecting urgent national issues—such as insecurity, poverty, infrastructure development, and the delivery of social services—in favor of political self-preservation.
South Sudan is rich in natural resources, yet its people continue to face poverty and unemployment, with inadequate access to essential services like healthcare and education. The lack of infrastructure only exacerbates these challenges.
Instead of addressing these pressing concerns, the SPLM leadership has become preoccupied with political power struggles and securing their positions, betraying the trust of the citizens and the memory of those who fought for this nation, including Dr. John Garang.
Today, many South Sudanese are uncertain about where their next meal will come from, as the cost of living has skyrocketed beyond their means. Public hospitals are suffering from severe shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. The majority of the population remains hopeless and faces insecurity, even from their own government.
Amid these hardships, those in power seem focused solely on their individual ambitions. The regime has prioritized its relationship with its peace partner, SPLM-IO, particularly with Dr. Riek Machar, rather than pursuing solutions that would genuinely benefit ordinary citizens. Moreover, the government has opted to hire the UPDF at a high cost instead of using those resources to improve the conditions of the underfunded SSPDF soldiers, who often go months without pay and lack necessary military gear.
The SPLM should redirect its energy and resources toward peace-building, providing essential social services, and improving infrastructure, rather than wasting efforts on undermining the SPLM-IO and Dr. Riek Machar. It is not the SPLM-IO that is driving the country into deeper economic hardship and insecurity; it is the corruption and incompetence of the SPLM leadership.
Thus, the SPLM leadership must work to establish a responsible government that addresses inequality, creates jobs, and invests in quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The time has come for the SPLM leadership to recognize that the people of South Sudan refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice. Now is the moment for those suffering under the SPLM regime to unite, regardless of their political affiliations or tribal backgrounds, to defend democracy and demand leadership that serves the public interest.
South Sudan needs a government dedicated to tackling the real challenges facing its citizens—a government that guarantees social justice, equality, infrastructure development, and prioritizes the welfare of its people over the political ambitions of individual leaders.
Now is the time for individuals with a shared spirit of patriotism to take action rather than stand by as the country endures misgovernance. It is crucial to organize, mobilize, and resist any attempts to undermine democracy and the future of all South Sudanese.
By: Gen. John Sunday Martin
