Sudan’s Garang urges full implementation of Nairobi peace accord

KHARTOUM, Apr 30, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — Former Sudanese rebel chief, John Garang, has urged the country’s citizens to ensure that the recently signed peace agreement was fully implemented so as stabilize and develop Sudan.

He told Sudanese political leaders that they have an historic opportunity, which they must not miss, to reconstruct their country after decades of war.

In a 20-minute speech to parliament, delivered on his behalf by Nhial Deng Nhial, a senior aide, Garang also urged the international community to honour pledges made during the recent conference in Norway over the reconstruction of southern Sudan.

The following is the text of Garang’s speech broadcast live by Sudanese TV on 30 April; subheadings inserted editorially:

[Unidentified master of ceremony] Dear brothers and sisters, I would like to call upon brother Nhial Deng Nhial, secretary for foreign relations in the SPLM [Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement] [applause], also the head of the SPLM delegation in Khartoum. Welcome. [More applause]

Nhial Deng Nhial, speaking on behalf of the leader of the SPLM, Dr John Garang.

[Nhial in English] I have the honour and pleasure to present a statement on behalf of Dr John Garang de Mabior, chairman and commander-in-chief of the SPLM/A. Your excellency, President Umar al-Bashir, president of the republic, representatives of the invited governments, members of the international and regional organizations, and diplomatic community, members of the National Constitutional Review Commission [NCRC], distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Lessons of the past

Before I take the privilege to address this august gathering, may I ask you to rise and observe one minute silence in memory and honour of our nation’s fallen heroes, from both sides of the divide, who paid the ultimate sacrifice. [Silence observed]

Thank you.

Compatriots, ladies and gentlemen, I greet each and everyone of you in the name of our people and country, and in the name of the SPLM/A. I greet you all [Arabic translation begins] in the name of the victims, wounded, widows from both the SPLM/A and government forces, and those who lost their properties and lives during the period of violence.

On several occasions, whenever I address people I’m used to saying that we should remember our history. This is very important because it is a history, which we will be asked about, and also, if [past] mistakes are not studied and understood, they will recur especially if we do not learn from the ideological mistakes. We have already inherited the nation but I strongly believe that we are a people who will learn from our past and utilize these lessons for the reconstruction of a new reality and prosperous future for all Sudanese people.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me on this occasion of opening the work of NCRC to make some historical observations. When you start writing this constitution, we should bear in mind that efforts were made in the past but [never worked] due to some obstacles that cropped on our way since independence. In January 1956 [independence era], we Sudanese failed to achieve a consensus about the management of our affairs, government, and creation of a unified Sudanese identity. Despite its wealth of geography, language, religion, which could have led to a strong government, Sudan did not utilize these diversities and did not create a system that would achieve all the required results.

These diversities, which political forces were using, have been the main reasons for the conflicts. Lack of recognition of diversity and insistence on one’s identity has not helped Sudan to create an acceptable reality for all Sudanese people. This commission, therefore, is required to achieve stability and end all Sudanese concerns. There has been a lack of stability and violation of all laws and human rights, and economic and social marginalization, as well as religious intolerance among many Sudanese people.

The Addis Ababa agreement [of 1972, which ended the country’s first civil war] was signed before the realization of the process to build Sudan. Instead of basing reconstruction on this agreement it was violated because of some interests and the war started once again. This later led to the [Nairobi] peace agreement, which is now being used to end conflicts in Darfur [western Sudan] and other parts in Sudan.

Ladies and gentlemen, since 1983, the SPLM/A strove for the opening of a peace window but it did not achieve much success. I would now say that many efforts were made to resolve the conflict in Sudan and started with the coming to power of the National Salvation Government. The realization of peace on a new basis was also a major agenda for the SPLM.

Tribute to peace partners

The efforts, which the SPLM made in realizing a consensus and peace under the auspices of IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development) led by Kenya, achieved substantial support from the friends of IGAD, Britain, Italy and blessed with the signing of the peace agreement in January 2004 in Nairobi.

Allow me, therefore, to greet in your name the Sudanese people and recognize the governments of the aforementioned countries. You were our friends, supporters during difficult times.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to remind you that the comprehensive peace agreement represents a firm foundation for the realization of peace in Sudan and is also the basis of reforming Sudan, the key to building a new Sudan, a Sudan of forgiveness, hope, justice, dignity and equality, a Sudan governed by the supremacy of the law and a Sudan that also focuses on social development.

The constitution review commission will soon begin its work and this is a significant part of the comprehensive peace process. It is therefore logical for all Sudanese political forces and civil society associations to participate and play an active role in the peace process, which was blessed with the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement. The signing supports the work of the constitution review in ensuring that peace is realized practically.

I therefore urge all political forces and associations, which did not join to this process, to put aside their doubts and join it. They must accept an active participation in the national government since anything less than that means that they will miss a very important time in the restructuring of Sudan’s political future.

The implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement does not only give peace a chance but also creates an opportunity for Sudanese people to, wisely and optimally, seek forgiveness and tolerance as well reconstruct a strong Sudan based on equality and justice. The comprehensive peace agreement is a good agreement, if wholly implemented, and could be used as a model for the resolution of other conflicts in Sudan, Africa and world.

Ladies and gentlemen, the challenges which face the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement will be great challenges just like peace negotiations. It will be the case of an implementation based on national spirit.

Since we have embarked on this path, we request our friends in the international community to fulfil their Oslo pledges regarding the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to conclude by saying that ours is a historical task to write a comprehensive and just constitution.

I thank all citizens and appeal to them to avoid mistakes that were committed in the past.

We also ask people to wipe off their tears and as a US president said let us keep hope alive and may God guide you in your task.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring service.