Last week, Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, the founder of the National Movement for Change (NMC) decided that it was time to return to the home he once abandoned; the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

To the party he joined, there was euphoria thanks to the enormous influence and political reputation Bakosoro commands. He brought those traits to the SPLM. The Minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development was also celebrated by his constituency in Western Equatoria State.

But Bakosoro, who said he defected for the sake of unity and peace among the people in his State, left behind a trail of a political shakeup within the South Sudan Opposition Alliance Movements (SSOA).

The position he held was a slot given to SSOA as a political umbrella in line with the peace agreement. Going back to his former party means Bakosoro is taking that seat with him to the disenfranchisement of SSOA.

In a statement quoted by City Review, the minister personalised the position saying it is the property of NMC and that the party can autonomously decide whether to keep or sell it. Not a win-win situation for SSOA but a joy for SPLM.

Away from the disenfranchisement of SSOA, a major twist that the City Review uncovered is that most citizens have little clue, if any, on what the agreement says on defection no matter who does it and from which political party. This is where sensitisation is required.

Defections on the surge

The country has seen many defections before and they all had one thing in common with that of Bakosoro; violating the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. He justified his action.

“Due to the fragmentation of the SPLM party, our people including the youth particularly in Western Equatoria State have been polarised and the whole population in Western Equatoria is divided on political party ideology,” Mr. Bakosoro said.

“I am taking that political decision on behalf of the NMC family because I want peace and social cohesion among the South Sudanese people and to stop suspicion from the people of Western Equatoria State,” he added.

According to the Chapter II of the agreement, which centres around security arrangements, leaders of armed political groups are prohibited from changing allegiance. Check our front page story for what subsection 2.4.1 says on defection.

The section after that is also somewhat restrictive on defection before the end of the transitional period.

“The Joint Defense Board (JDB) shall be formed at the level of Chiefs of Staff and Directors General for National Security Service, Police, and all other organized forces to exercise command and control over all forces during the Pre-Transitional Period,” subsection 2.4.2 of the agreement says.

While this provision does not directly affect the Commander-in-Chiefs of armed forces, it can be jeopardised by the defection of party leaders directly involved in the negotiations of the peace process.

Unique defection

The defection of Mr. Bakosoro was different from those commonly seen or heard of in two ways. Firstly, he is the head of a political movement that was actively involved in the peace negotiation on behalf of SSOA, a political umbrella with many parties. The collateral damage left behind was too huge to ignore.

Another reason is that Bakosoro is a reputable political personality who has and commands unprecedented support from the grassroots. That makes his return a boost for the SPLM party ahead of the 2023 proposed elections.