South Sudan to launch diplomatic campaign on potential recognition of independence
By James Gatdet Dak
August 21, 2010 (JUBA) – The cabinet of the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan has resolved to carry out a preparatory diplomatic campaign in Africa and around the world for recognition of independence of the region in case the people of southern Sudan vote for secession in the next five months.
Amum led a delegation composed of a number of ministers to the Ugandan capital, Kampala where they met African leaders on the sidelines of the summit to advocate the need to recognize independence of southern Sudan if the vote favors secession.
The delegation from the Sudan’s ruling party the NCP was reported to have avoided conducting joint meetings and instead preferred to carry out individual meetings with leaders of African countries attending the summit during which they specifically advocated for the promotion of unity option in the referendum.
In a press statement following the cabinet resolutions, the official spokesperson of the government and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said Amum briefed the cabinet on the ongoing negotiations on post-referendum arrangements between the northern dominant party, the National Congress Party (NCP) and the ruling party in the south, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
Marial explained that a number of issues have already been agreed by the two partners to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) while others remain contentious.
Amum criticized the attitude of the NCP negotiators whom he accused of resorting to delaying tactics by, on some occasions, avoiding meetings with the SPLM team in Khartoum. He said while the NCP was the one avoiding meetings, it then turned around to blame it on the SPLM, saying the SPLM team was not to be found in Khartoum.
Marial also said the NCP was until recently only interested in negotiating the secession scenario while trying to avoid discussions on unity scenario, which would include the possibility of restructuring the Sudanese state in case the referendum vote would result to confirmation of the current unity of the country.
Amum, who is Secretary General of the SPLM as well as the Peace and CPA Implementation minister, is the groups lead negotiator on post-referendum issues. The issues include the future of oil (production, transportation and marketing), assets, liabilities, international treaties and agreements, security, citizenship and currency, among others.
The people of southern Sudan, in accordance with the CPA, will conduct a referendum on 9th January 2011 to choose between confirming the current unity of Sudan and creating their own independent country.
(ST)
Jamus
South Sudan to launch diplomatic campaign on potential recognition of independence
Bravo!! Pagan,
We are behind you.We quick recognition on the day we vote or we declare it ourselves.We don’t want to be unrecognised like the Somaliland.We will win.our hopes are peged on the separation of South from North.We know you will do that.
Jamus
DOOR
South Sudan to launch diplomatic campaign on potential recognition of independence
Good move SPLM. However, this is very late the campaign should have been started just after the signing of CPA.
Little is better than nothing try anyhow.
Dinka Boy
South Sudan to launch diplomatic campaign on potential recognition of independence
Pagan Amum is the hero who has been training on the issues that are surrounding the SPLM/A for many years. Great job CDR Pagan Amum for being the true leader in the South. We are with you all the time.
For James,this is a great report mr James Gatdet. This is a kind of report that i really want from you because it has no bias and covering up. Brother, i have nothing against you but your last reports has unfiltered stuffs. Thanks alot
DASODIKO
South Sudan to launch diplomatic campaign on potential recognition of independence
Good steps to be applauded! even South Africa was not recognized by all, because those who had interests with the apparthied system recognized free South Africa very late. Also Bosnians independent is not yet recogized by Serbs the colonizers up to now, So do not expect the North Sudan to recognized it very soon, becuase they will be accused of being historically responsibles of dividing Sudan. I think its a very good start.
Adam
South Sudan to launch diplomatic campaign on potential recognition of independence
Dear Readers,
What is going to be very painful is that the referendum will never be free and fare. SPLM/A will never allow the regular poor Southerner who do not what really It means to cast a vote for separation. I am even very sure that short-sighted separatists like Amoum do not have a good vision or hope for the South.
I am also being informed that the youth and students who are led like a herd in campaigns to separate Sudan are NOT aware of the dangers they are going to face. Even separatists like Pagan cannot find an answer to the 160,000 Southerner university students and more that 480,000 pupils enrolled the North.
In short, SPLM/A hardliners are endangering the future and fate of our people. They are violating the Agreement that enabled them to rule and control, they are pushing people by iron and fire and terrorist acts to vote for Separation. However, it has been widely believed that many people will cast their votes for unity, although SPLA and its terrorist sick youth are threatening to kill people who campaign or vote for unity of Sudan. Let every Southerner given a “YELLOW Card” – No problem. Many will say “YES to Unity”, while fooling SPLM/A that they will say “Nay”.
Separation means wars – real ones. Separation means more fragmentation of the South. I am sure that our people in great Equatoria will be persuaded by the greedy Ugandans to join The Great Uganda saying “to hell with Dinkas and their astray tyrant leadership”. States bordering the North will find it more wise, practical and peaceful to join the North saying “to hell with those who want to control us and destroy the long-lasting relationship with our brothers in the North – to hell those who are selling the South to the Western Companies”. They will not allow SPLM/A enjoy the natural resources in these states.
No one should trust the off course separatist. They really do not have an insight – they are guided by their personal agenda. They have no option but pay back the debt to the influential international arena by hijacking the referendum. This is the only way to please their masters and Lords of the West. However, It will never be easy to achieve this. They have to fight the real wars. They will never be celebrating the day of the death of the “Southern Sudan hope”.
Only wise people will work for unity among Southerners and maintain the unity of Sudan. Why? Simply because it has more promising results for better country for all.
O ye Southerners UNITE against Separatists