<p>Preface to the Fourth Edition</p><p>This is the fourth edition of this book. The previous editions were in</p><p>2001, 2009 and 2011. The book has been in high demand in Sudan(s)</p><p>and East Africa but its exposure to readers beyond this geographical</p><p>area was limited due to the scope of publication.</p><p>This edition is prompted by two considerations. First, there is a</p><p>pressing need to get it to more readers across the globe. Second, the</p><p>current state of turmoil in the new state, South Sudan, has left many</p><p>pundits wondering as to what went wrong in a country that was full</p><p>of hope and promise when it was declared independent in July 2011.</p><p>This book does not claim to provide all the answers but it has clearly</p><p>shown that the state of political disorganization of the SPLM/A, the</p><p>ruling party, since its inception was a disaster in the waiting. Perhaps</p><p>the readers may want to refresh their memories by going through the</p><p>arguments put forward in that direction more than 16 years ago.</p><p>As always, I am grateful to all who advised me to republish the</p><p>book and also to those who helped me in any way to prepare it for</p><p>publication.</p><p>Dr Lam Akol,</p><p>Addis Ababa</p><p>August, 2017.</p>