Open letter to President of South Sudan
CC: Foreign Minister of Sudan, Dr. Lam Akol
– SSLA (South Sudan Legislative Assembly)
– Members/supporters/sympathizers of SPLM
RE: A case against Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, the Foreign Minister of Sudan
Jan 18, 2006 — First of all we, the signatories of this open letter, would like to congratulate you and your government for having taken decisive steps to address Cairo Massacre of December 30, 2005, during which many innocent refugees were killed in cold blood. Your decision to close down Egyptian consulate in Juba and timely relocation of Egyptian nationals for their own safety, is highly commendable. Equally important, we also congratulate you on signing the Juba Declaration which brought together SPLM/A and SSDF, on January 8, 2006.
Honourable President Salva, we are writing you this open letter to express our grievances on performances of our Foreign Minister Dr. Lam Akol, who is also a member of SPLM, a Movement we cherish very much.
Although we appreciate the minister for his immense contribution for liberation struggle, we now have grave concerns on his performance, first as a respected member of SPLM and second as our foreign minister:
I. Our Foreign Minister track record, 1986-2006
Having thoroughly examined Dr. Lam Akol’s record and loyalty to Sudanese people in general, SPLM and marginalized peoples in particular, including Southerners, we have come to conclusion that the man leads a very interesting personality that shouldn’t be ignored, but explored so that we can learn from it to help shape future undertakings in our country or beyond:
A Dr. Lam Akol Vs. SPLM/A, 1986-1991
As soon as Dr. Lam Akol joined the Movement in July 1986, he readily proved to be intelligent, enthusiastic, yet controversial figure. The latter characteristic was more or less conspicuous of all. For example, within few months he was comfortable enough to critically oppose Movement’s internal, foreign, and war strategies and policies. His defining behaviour, however, put him at odds with many members of the movement, including Dr. John Garang de Mabior and current SPLA Chief of Staff, Lt. General Oyai Deng Ajak. Had it not been for timely intervention of our late leader Dr. John Garang, people of the New Sudan would have lost one of their finest hereos in the hand of Dr. Lam Akol. And that hero is Lt.General Oyai Deng Ajak, who captured from the enemy more than ten towns in the course of liberation struggle.
Despite of all controversies he generated, people were able to forgive him each time, for the Movement needed accomplished individuals like him (Dr. Lam).
Nevertheless, when he found out that his ideas were going nowhere in the SPLM/A hierarchy, he convinced the would-be members of Nasir Faction to break away from people’s Movement, the SPLM/A. It was later revealed that he wanted to fight for people of South Sudan only, in exclusion of other marginalized masses (including Abyei) of the Sudan, who fought side by side with people of South Sudan’s three regions of Bahr el Ghazal, Equatoria, and Upper Nile as they stood on January 1, 1956: a stance which dangerously contradicted SPLM/A objectives at the time.
It’s worth mentioning that among other objectives, the SPLM Manifesto of July 31, 1983, states, “—the principal objective of SPLM/A is not separation for the South. The South is an integral and inseparable part of the Sudan….”
Whether or not the South is an “integral” and “inseparable” part of the Sudan is something that needs to be explore further, which falls beyond the scope of this paper. Our purpose for quoting this historical document is to highlight how views held by founding members of SPLM/A and current foreign minister were antithesis. Whereby the latter portrayed to advocate solely for South Sudan (which we doubt) and the former were pursuing the concept of the “New Sudan.”
Thank God, after signing CPA it has gone into history books that SPLM/A objectives were well defined. In addition to self-rule, the people of South Sudan (including Abyei) are going to exercise their inalienable rights to determine their destiny. Further, our brothers and sisters in Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue have something to celebrate and be happy about.
Considering the outcome of the CPA, it’s fair to say that our Foreign Minister was wrong in losing faith on feasibility of SPLM/A objectives and strategies.
B Dr. Lam Akol Vs. Nasir Faction, 1991–1994
Having failed to persuade SPLM/A to follow his programmes (if there were any), our foreign minister defected and co-founded Nasir Faction. But all the same, he didn’t go along with his co-architect of the coup d’etat, Dr. Riak Machar from whom he had eventually seized the name SPLM/A-United for his Shilluk faction in 1994. Dr. Riek Machar, the current Vice President of GoSS, who was the leader of SSIM /A (South Sudan Independent Movement/Army), then negotiated Khartoum Peace Agreement in April 1997 which brought together many splinter groups under SPDF, only to be joined by his former adversary, Dr. Lam Akol, our foreign minister. Although, Dr. Riek Machar had concerns about his former ally, he fraternally welcomed him aboard. The duo became friends and political allies once again.
Surprisingly, when Dr. Lam Akol was democratically defeated by Dr. Timothy Tong Tutlam in an election that ensued after Khartoum Peace Agreement, our foreign minister broke rank with SPDF of Dr. Riek and invisibly pursued his own political path and finally joined NIF of al-Bashir, a decision which generously earned him a position as a minister of transport.
Then when it was clear that Khartoum government wanted to renege on many provisions of Khartoum Peace Agreement, many signatories, including Cdr. Taban Deng Gai and Dr. Riek Machar, were convinced that the peace they signed was not viable due to NIF intransigent to implement it. Therefore, they decided to rejoin the Movement where they rightfully belong.
On the other hand, Dr. Lam, our foreign minister, refused to follow suit and hence continued his unstable alliance with NIF hoping that al-Bashir might change his heart to fully implement the agreement, chiefly the clause of self-determination which was going to be conducted in four years (in 2001 to be exact). As predicted by Dr. Riek and others, the peace agreement was trashed and 2001 went without any word about “referendum.” And with all blatant violations by NIF, our foreign minister wasn’t shaken or touched and so he had to wait for two more years to fully diagnose the demise of Khartoum Peace Agreement, and possibly to take his copy of death certificate.
Although our foreign minister wants us to believe that he joined the Movement to achieve “set of goals” or his excuse that he joined the Movement due to NIF refusal to allow him see his troops, we members of SPLM must seriously take stock of his plans, lest we might fall into trap of deceptions.
C Dr. Lam Akol Vs SPLM/A, 2003-Present
When Dr. Lam Akol was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that NIF meant business, he had no choice but to rejoin his brethren in SPLM-in 2003-after Machakos protocol was signed on July 20, 2002.
In addition to good things he did since unification of SPLM/A and his SPLM-United, he adversely contributed to the Movement as well. For example, when late Dr. John Garang and his deputy, the current president of South Sudan, had misunderstanding, Dr. Lam Akol was alleged to have encouraged some of those who were opposing Dr. John Garang, to take a “decisive” action, including split of the Movement as it was in 1991.
Besides, following the famous Rumbek meeting during which the long time friends and allies were reconciled, our foreign minister Dr. Lam Akol was overheard commenting on the outcome as a “letdown” and “failure” on the part of then Deputy Chairman and Chief of General Staff, Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit. What he called “letdown” and “failure” are open to many interpretations, but we don’t want to speculate because when Dr. Lam joined the Movement he told Sudan Mirror reporters on October 31, 2003, “…..We the Southern Sudanese leaders have heavy challenges therefore there is need to look forward on ways to address those challenges in order to achieve our set goals.” “Our set goals,” as we all know are complete realization of SPLM/A objectives, including unity of people of the New Sudan irrespective of regions. Otherwise, our foreign minister should clarify what he meant by “our set goals.”
D Dr. Lam Akol Vs. GONU
Although his appointment was a big surprise for many members and supporters of the Movement, everybody had to accept the decision by SPLM leadership to assign him as a foreign minister. These concerns stem out from Dr. Lam’s unpredictable political agenda and his previous, unpopular deeds (July 1986-September 2005). The populace worries are now being validated when he precisely has proven the expected or theories. Now it’s crystal clear that:
1. Dr. Lam is targeting the Marginalized areas
Like the war that SPLM fought in the New Sudan, the government of NIF started another one in the west using what’s known as janjaweed. In scorch earth policy, the NIF wants to depopulate the African of western Sudan. Despite the African union presence in the west, the government of al-Bashir is hell-bent to destroy the entire masses. In reality it’s the government that is to blame for atrocities that are taking place in the west including, rape, looting, and destruction of properties. People in Darfur say they are fighting against “marginalization” by the successive governments in Khartoum.
As noted on March 25, 2004, by ICG in its report number 76, “Darfur Rising: Sudan’s New Crisis,” which states, “Elements of Khartoum’s policies in Darfur have their genesis in the civil war with the SPLA. Arming southern militias to fight the SPLA greatly strengthened its military position in the south and was essential for securing the oilfields of Western Upper Nile.”
Ironically, Dr. Lam sees it through different lenses. For him, the innocent rebel movements in the west are to blame. For example, during his visit to US he requested US to pressure “rebels in the west” to cease attacking government’s positions. Secondly, speaking to reporters of Kuwait New Agency (KUNA) on January 14, our foreign minister had this to say, “In a council’s recent meeting in Ethiopia, Sudan expressed willingness to form a joint force including Sudanese forces, militias, and AU forces to face Darfur’s outlaws.”
Sudanese forces, militias, and AU? Our foreign minister must be deluding himself. Why? Because a part from innocent, toothless AU forces, the first two on mister foreign minister’s list are culpable in ruthless atrocities that are taking place in Darfur.
To make record straight, the Sudanese forces are the NIF forces; the militias are the janjaweed; both are equally guilty for crimes against the African people of Western Darfur. Some of these “Sudanese forces” and “militias” are being sought in International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes they heartlessly committed against innocent women and children.
It has to be noted that our late leader, comrade Dr. John Garang, used to say that the SPLM gives a morale support to the marginalized peoples of the West.
Your Excellency, if our foreign minister cannot maintain a minimum standard of SPLM in relation to oppressed masses in Darfur, we wonder how we should call him one of us?
2 Dr. Lam Akol’s saccharine talks about CPA implementation
It’s now a common knowledge that the NIF has put CPA in danger right from January 9, 2005. In addition to commandeering all sovereign and economical top positions, the NCP/NIF has been dragging its feet to implement CPA. For example, despite painstaking assessment and recommendation by Abyei border commission, the NIF has since shelf the document to that effect. The fate of the CPA arrangement on Abyei is yet unknown to ordinary members of SPLM, but many of us fear the worst, including violation of this vital protocol. Secondly, the demarcation of South-North border is still unresolved, not to mention the national currency. The list continues on and on.
Nevertheless, in his puzzling assessment of CPA implementation, Dr. Lam finds no fault on part of NIF or dares to note unnecessary delays that ensued from signing of CPA on January 9, 2005. For instance, after his visit to United States of America, Dr. Lam Akol, our foreign minister, revealed to Eritrea Voice reporter Mr. Saeed Muhammad al-Hassan, on November 30, 2005, that “The Sudanese national Unity Government is cohesive and harmonious and works with team spirit to achieve the provisions of the peace agreement.”
We don’t comprehend what type of “team work” our foreign minister is referring to when in actual fact the SPLM has been reduced beyond imagination, as soon as late Dr. John died in that mysterious plane crash on July 30, 2005.
We wished that our foreign minister told American and our allies the truth about the nature of NIF, an account which was going to be consistent with its usual, blood sucking character.
3 Dr. Lam is targeting our Allies, especially US and EU
We all know that the Sudan peace talks had taken many years starting from 1992 under the auspices of Organization of African Unity, which sponsored unsuccessful two rounds in 1992 & 1993. Then it was taken over by IGAD (former IGADD) for 12 years until the peace was finally reached on January 9, 2005. The friends of IGAD: US, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Britain, just to mention but a few, contributed resources in order to realize the peace that we now called the CPA. For instance, the government of the United States of America has pledged and already released dollars amount to support the peace in entire Sudan including areas that were not covered by CPA. Secondly, the friendly Norwich Government has now co-sponsored to build Dr. John Garang Memorial Hospital in Juba, the list is not exhaustive.
Therefore, CPA didn’t just come out of the blue; there were peace-loving countries which invested their resources to see to it that people of Sudan live in harmony. Indeed, the peace was championed by many countries as mentioned above.
However, Lam thinks that allies of marginalized people, especially friends of SPLM/A deserve nothing but insults and ridicules. For example, our foreign minister has recently declared war against our sisterly countries, notably the US. In his message carried by Sudantribune.com, less than three weeks ago, Dr. Lam Akol called a well meaning intervention of US as “interference” and that Americans were using the insurgency in Darfur as “scapegoat” to enter Sudan.
Secondly, when asked what he thought about Western intervention in Darfur, Dr. Lam Akol said, “Such proposals are unacceptable due to their negativity,” noting that the African Unity “didn’t invite the UN to interfere.” Foreign minister’s statement contradicts what is widely believed as “genocide” or “the worst humanitarian crisis.”
Despite mister foreign minister’s reassurance, a recent report released by Physicians for Human Rights on January 11, entitled, “Assault on Survival: A Call for Security, Justice and restitution,” painted a bleak situation of people of Darfur. The report recommended to international community, “to press for a UN Security Council resolution to immediately authorize a multinational intervention force in Darfur under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. With all these plethora evidence, Dr. Lam Akol isn’t convinced yet to the gravity of the situation in Darfur.
4 Dr. Lam is restricting members of SPLM from Foreign Assignment
In its 22 years of liberation struggle, SPLM/A has been represented internationally by its cadres voluntarily. It’s shocking to learn that Dr. Lam had recently gave a chilling messaged that those who should participate in the foreign mission should at least have four years’ experience in foreign service: An amount of time for which he didn’t qualify when he was assigned as a Sudan Foreign minister. Furthermore, when he was presented with the names from SPLM office in Nairobi for foreign assignment, Dr. Lam reiterated his stance. We wonder whether Dr. Lam Akol is really working for NIF or SPLM?
5 Dr. Lam invisibly supported Cairo Massacre
When our people began a sit-in protest in front of UNHCR office in Cairo for three months as a result of mistreatment by Egyptian Government and UNHCR refusal to review their cases for settlement, the foreign minister Dr. Lam Akol was not heard or seen until the refugees were forcibly removed or killed. The organs of many dead people were believed to have been looted and their remains detained by Egyptian Government. What’s disturbing was the “coincidence” visit by Second Vice President Ustaz Ali Osman Mahmoud Tah, and statement released by Dr. Lam’s deputy Mr. Ali Ahmed Kerti that, “refugees didn’t have excuse to be in Egypt in the first place.”
When asked why he didn’t intervened, Dr. Lam surprisingly said he didn’t have any powers within the Government of National unity to say anything against “sisterly/friendly Egypt.”
Our humble questions are: (a) who took away his power or authority in the ministry? (b) Who gave power to Mr. Ali to say what he did after Cairo massacre?
Hypothetically, if Dr. Lam didn’t have power in supposedly his ministry, then what is he doing there?
II. Dr. Lam Akol hidden agenda
Gauging from his activities and performances, coupled with our painstaking analysis, we have come to succinctly conclude that Dr. Akol is planning to achieve the following:
A. Helping NIF to dismantling the CPA
B. Weakening SPLM national and international policies
C. To collide SPLM and its allies
D. Promoting, protecting, and implementing NIF agenda
E. Creating disunity within SPLM and people of the New Sudan and marginalized areas
III. Nationalistic Call
When the authors were inundated with many phone calls and e-mail messages all over the world regarding performances and conduct of our Foreign minister Dr. Lam Akol, we contemplated on the course of action. Finally, we decided that the best we can do is to address our Government of South Sudan under the wise leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. We feel that the massive calls and e-mail message must not go in vain, and watch the CPA crumbles under the watchful eyes of the members of SPLM/A. Hence, the decision to write this open letter. Although the document is signed by few, we are aware that many people of the New Sudan share the same feelings and concerns as to how the future of our country should look like. Therefore, we appeal to all citizens of the New Sudan, supporters, and friends of the New Sudan, especially members of SPLM to support this document for the sake of protecting the CPA and survival of the marginalized majority of the Sudan.
IV. Recommendations: SPLM to:
A. Relieve Dr. Lam Akol from his current position, and assign in his place an SPLM member who will pursue policies of the Movement in spirit and letter
B. Revive the tainted relationship between SPLM and its allies
C. Commit itself to resolve conflicts in Eastern and Western Sudan
D. Pressure NCP (NIF) to immediately halt its military operations in the west and the East
E. Exhort NCP from further violations of CPA
F. Authorize SPLA members of Joint Defense to report any military violations of the CPA
G. Assign 28% of Foreign Services to SPLM members
H. Keeping redeployment of SAF on schedule
I. Ensure that NCP adheres to recommendations made by experts on Abyei boundary
V. NCP (NIF) to:
A. Cooperate fully with AU, UN, ICC, and international community
B. To disarm and cease funding and logical supports to Janjaweed
C. Immediate halt military operations in Sudan and against its neighbours
D. Fully implement CPA (on time)
E. Cease any further human right violations
VI. UN and international Community to:
A. Fulfill their financial commitment pledged in Oslo
B. Immediately deploy international robust force in Darfur
C. Vigorously follow up implementation of CPA
D. Finance voluntary repatriation of Sudanese
E. Investigate Cairo massacre
F. Expedite criminal proceedings against perpetrators of genocide in Darfur
G. Support Abuja peace talks
Signed:
1. Dr. Mawien Akot,
[email protected]
2. Acuoth Makuac Riak,
[email protected]
3. Sabrino Majok Majok,
[email protected]
4. Kuac Akecak Jok,
[email protected]