Sudanese TV commends SPLM commitment to peace

KHARTOUM, Aug 2, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — The Sudanese TV haild in a report broadcated today the positive stances of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) following the death of the first vice-president John Garang, who was also the president of the southern government, have been received with satisfaction by a cross section of the community.

Southern Sudan’s vice-president and deputy chairman of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Salva Kiir Mayardit briefs the media after the death of Sudan’s First Vice-President and former rebel leader of SPLM John Garang in Nairobi, Kenya, August 1, 2005. (Reuters).

The swift action of the SPLM in naming the first vice-president of the president of the republic, who is also the president of southern government, has affirmed the seriousness of the movement SPLM’s leadership and their commitment to the constitution and the peace agreement.

The immediate positive stances from the SPLM both at leadership and organizational level following the death of peace-maker, John Garang, which left the entire nation in grief, has shown proof of the movement’s awareness and objectivity which distinguishes SPLM’s leadership and its general council.

The following is the text of the report:

The initial statements of the vice-chairman of the movement, Commander Salva Kiir, before his departure to New Site in southern Sudan following the announcement of Garang’s death has been received with great satisfaction from various cross sections of the public.

Commander Salva Kiir’s announcement that the people’s movement will continue with its partnership process with the ruling National Congress (NC) and its commitment to the implementation of peace agreement has come at the right time and closed the door to all those who were trying to incite and lure people into violence and had excellent positive effects on the public demonstrations, despite the sorrow and grievances caused by the death of the first vice-president of the president of the republic.

Regarding the statements of an official of the SPLM, Pagan Amum, and speech of Nhial Deng senior SPLM leader in the extraordinary session of the cabinet have crowned the statements of Commander Salva Kiir and the positive sign he had given after the death of the first vice-president John Garang.

Regarding the way forward on the peace process and implementation of the arrangements for the transitional period, the SPLM’s efforts in naming the first vice-president of the president of the republic, who is also the president of the southern government, hours after the death of John Garang clearly confirms the seriousness of the SPLM and its commitment to completing the journey of partnership and implementation of the peace agreement and abiding by the constitution which is one of the fundamental references of the agreement.

The statement by the vice-president of the republic, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, before the Movement’s naming of Commander Salva Kiir as first vice-president of the president of the republic as well as the president of the southern government, that the SPLM leadership would handle the situation with objectivity has shown his trust in the SPLM leadership, as he got to know them very well during the lengthy negotiations and rounds of talks for the sake of peace, during which Taha and Garang had greater contributions that history will preserve for them, due to their sincerity and patience until all parts of the country enjoyed peace and became a constitutional reality.

We hope that these historical stances from the government and the SPLM leadership and personalities will lead to the completion of the constitutional process which begun and its timeframe specified.

We also hope that the other political forces, as well as the other opposition and supporting groups will all play their required roles in guaranteeing the unity, stability and safety of the country.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.