Security situation in Southern Sudan

By Watts Roba Gibia Nyirigwa

September 20, 2005 — The SPLM/A leadership have got the sole and legitimate power to protect the Southern Sudan civilians from any internal or external threats even under the none existence of the government of the southern Sudan (GOSS). It was completely absurd to let the LRA forces deep into the heart of the Equatoria region to commit atrocities among the local population. Where is our vigilance and resolve! The SPLM/A leadership and government of Sudan (GOS) owe explanation to the Southern Sudanese community, as it was really very hard to anyone to believe that it was LRA who actually carried out this attack and killed 14 people (most of them children and women) at Loka. And if it was LRA forces, from where do they get their support and how they managed to avoid the SPLA and SAF forces on the ground, and why they do not want to attack Kajokaji or Yei and other small villages around the area, and why Loka or Lanya in particular! I am afraid that tomorrow we will hear that the LRA have committed the same atrocities in Jebel Lado or Jambo or Maridi or any part of Southern Sudan.

I would like to draw the attention of the SPLM/A leadership that the massacre of the local population at Loka is a direct temptation to the SPLM/A leadership. And it is time for the SPLM/A leadership despite the tedious and tireless efforts they are showing, but it has to be clear to everyone’s understanding that to have a firm control of the situation on the ground, the SPLM/A leadership have to consolidate its position strongly on the ground in various aspects and levels to ensure the security in all parts of the Southern Sudan.

The SPLM/A leadership have to ensure that the entire security in the south is in their hands and they have to review the security situation on the ground and see who actually is in the real control of the security organs in south, SPLM/A or NC/NIF. As the SPLM/A military intelligence and security organs have to work hand-in-hand with the NC/NIF military intelligence and security organs to ensure the law and order and to protect the people of south.

I am not putting blame on SPLM/A leadership but trying to point out some facts. As we know that the still awaited formation of the government of the national unity and consequently formation of the government of the southern Sudan (GOSS) has slow motioned the CPA implementation in various levels. As of this date there should have been in place the Cease Fire Commission, CPA Monitoring Commission and Resettlement Commissions to supervise the process and implementation of the peace agreement. But none existence of these committees on the ground is a serious set back to the peace dividend. But yet this will not rule out SPLM/A leadership from its responsibility to ensure the security in south.

* Watts Roba Gibia Nyirigwa, is a Sudanese from Cairo – Egypt. Email: [email protected]