South Sudan’s SSDF says it works for the independence

Oct 17, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — One of southern Sudan’s main political parties has called on other political groups in southern Sudan to work for self determination.

The South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF) says it does not believe in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) vision of the new Sudan and that its sole objective is to work for the independence of the south.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum last week, chairman of the South Sudan Democratic Forum, Martin Elia Lomuro, alleged that the SPLM vision of the new Sudan deprives southern Sudanese of the solidarity they require to become what he called “masters of their destiny”.

Some SPLM officials have said that they are working for a united Sudan based on equality for all.

But Lomuro says his party wants to enlighten southern Sudanese on the importance of self determination for the south in anticipation of the referendum in 2011.

He warned that if the people of southern Sudan vote for unity with the north during the referendum it will mean – quote – untold suffering for southerners in the future.

The SSDF official urged political parties that do not have political programmes to cease working and not to call themselves political parties of the south.

He said self determination for the south is the sole objective of the SSDF.

(Sudan Radio Service/ST)