Preface to the Fourth EditionThis is the fourth edition of this book. The previous editions were in2001, 2009 and 2011. The book has been in high demand in Sudan(s)and East Africa but its exposure to readers beyond this geographicalarea was limited due to the scope of publication. This edition is prompted by two considerations. First, there is apressing need to get it to more readers across the globe. Second, thecurrent state of turmoil in the new state, South Sudan, has left manypundits wondering as to what went wrong in a country that was fullof hope and promise when it was declared independent in July 2011.This book does not claim to provide all the answers but it has clearlyshown that the state of political disorganization of the SPLM/A, theruling party, since its inception was a disaster in the waiting. Perhapsthe readers may want to refresh their memories by going through thearguments put forward in that direction more than 16 years ago. As always, I am grateful to all who advised me to republish thebook and also to those who helped me in any way to prepare it forpublication. Dr Lam Akol, Addis AbabaAugust, 2017. | SPLM/SPLA by Lam Akol, Paperback | Indigo Chapters