US president calls for calm on Sudan North-South borders
By Wasil Ali
January 4, 2008 (WASHINGTON) — US President George Bush called on Sudan’s partners in the government of national unity to exercise restraint in the wake of violent clashes on the North-South borders.
The statements by Bush mark the first reaction by a US official on the fighting since it broke out.
Clashes had first erupted between Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) and tribesmen, backed by militiamen last December. SPLA alleged that the tribesmen and the militias attacked a Southern army garrison although the tribesmen say they were bombarded first.
The hostilities created fears that they would further weaken the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the North and the South.
The SPLM decided to suspend their participation in the national unity government last October because of what they described as the NCP’s failure to fully implement crucial elements of the CPA.
The southern ex-rebels rejoined the government late December after they reached an agreement on resolving outstanding issues.
Bush disclosed that his administration has been pushing the southern ex-rebels to rejoin the cabinet after their boycott that started.
However he warned that the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) must be “forthcoming with their agreements, such as the sharing of oil revenues”.
Bush also praised US church and faith-based groups trying to help people in the South Sudan.
“One of the really interesting things about America is total strangers are going to help total strangers all the time” he added.
The CPA signed in 2005, granted southern Sudan six years of self-rule, after which it will vote in a referendum on whether to remain part of Sudan or secede.
(ST)
ojok s. ojok
US president calls for calm on Sudan North-South borders
Mr Kir knows well who can bring peace and who can make things better in the south and in the north,it is one of his general the one he hate most.since the begining of war, civilians in the south were going wild,but general Issac Mobutu the one Kir imprison calm them down.he knows how to deal with civilians in the south atlarge.therefore Kir should release him from prison and sent him to Abeiy.I think those cattlemen will know him in a short period of time then peace will prevail in the sudan as a whole.
Lago Gatjal Riaka
US president calls for calm on Sudan North-South borders
If a person look on famous websites; SouthSudan, Gurtong, Sudantribune, and SouthSudanNation which brought Southern Sudanese Disaporas and those who are back home together,their interests in the discussion board has declined. Indiiduals who used to write very often don’t participate anymore for some the following reasons.
First, I think that majority of Southern Sudanese both Disaporas and those back home are very much confused about the progress of the relationship of the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) and National Congress Party (NCP). Since the formation of the coalition government after peace was signed, the relationship between SPLM and NCP has not be that great.
Because of disagreements on several critical issues over the oil revenues,border demarcation, and SAF still deployed in Southern Sudan, Goverment of Southern Sudan’s ministers working in the government of National Unity pulled out last month as a result. This moved by the GOSS ministers almost caused chaos in the Sudanese community but some how was shortly brought to an end after Kiir met with Omar Bashir to discussed the issue.
After several weeks of negotiation on key issues I mention above, the GOSS decided to joined the Government of National Unity again claiming that most of the critical isseus were solved except Abyei protocal. In the same week GOSS ministers joined the government, local tribes and People Defense Force attacked SPLA barack in Bhar-el-Ghazal area. This attack now continue as of Jan/04/05 according to Gurtong website report.
Currently, I believe majority of Southern Sudanese are astounce by this move by the SPLM membership. I put this blame on the GOSS leadership in excuting its policies. The government of Southern Sudan should not have joined the government again until all the issues were completely solved in action not by writing or by words. The agreement between Kiir and Bashir was a very weak agreement that Kiir could not have agreed. First, the government of Sudan should have pulled its troops out of Southern Sudan before GOSS ministers joined the Government of National Unity again. But, this did not happen. It shows that the GOSS of Southern Sudan has lack of decision making. The blame must be put on among the top GOSS leaders; President Salva Kiir, Pagan Amum, and GOSS parliment.
Now attack is going on in Bhar al Ghazal. What is the GOSS going to do again? Pull out again? Dump people in the government of Southern Sudan. You’re pissing me off because I’m taking this very personal. I don’t want my people to get fool like that.