Sudan’s Kiir pledges to disarm militias
July 11, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese first Vice-President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), Lt-Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, vowed to disarm the southern militias, the daily Khartoum Monitor reported.
Kiir made the pledge yesterday during the official visit to Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State. President Kiir announced that the DDR commission for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration will arrive soon in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal to see the issues of militias and clans conflicts.
Kiir reiterated that during the war, child soldiers participated in the long war that lasted more than 21 years, so this is a time to demobilize and reintegrate these children. Kiir added that southern militias should join Sudan People’s Liberation Army or Sudanese Army Forces and that this was the last chance for them otherwise force must be used against them because they are threatening development of Southern Sudan, he stated.
“Development of Southern Sudan is our priority as GoSS and GONU (Government of National Unity),” stated Kiir, explaining that GoSS will provide basic needs such as education, water, health care, food and roads.
The GoSS president said that girls are the first people to be educated in order to reach men and to gain from their 25 per cent power sharing. He also urged the local community leaders to participate for their state development and not only to depend on GoSS.
He added that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) must be guarded by citizens of the nation not the president, and noted that the people must be the watch dogs for the CPA and they overcome social conflicts among clans or tribes.
President Kiir announced to Awiel people that he is going to open Awiel University within this year. He urged returnees to be patient and their rights will be given to them and called for IDPs and refugees to return to the south for development and to fill the vacant positions in many southern ministries.
Furthermore, the first vice-president and President of Southern Sudan opened the Awiel institution for public services and he announced that he will go to Jongulei State and other remaining 10 states to see the development situation there and their demands, and he warned people not to heed the many rumours whose aim is to cause disorders among the SPLM/A.
(Khartoum Monitor)