South Sudan SSUDA announces strategic plan for overall action
Dec 19, 2006 (KHARTOUM) —
INTRODUCTION
The history of South Sudan is full of examples of resistance and struggle against foreign powers and their attempts to dominate them. The present war is one ring in that long chain of heroic and valiant struggles from times immemorial. However, the principal objective of this war is to bring an end to power relations based on domination, oppression and injustice. This will be the first step toward building a just society based on the democratic principles of freedom, peace and justice. How do we arrive at such a society?
It is important to clarify the policies that the SSUDA will follow in government and during the liberation struggle. This is necessary not only to guide the struggle but also to chart the concept of development in order to mobilize people behind clear objectives. In most areas, it is difficult to distinguish clearly between tasks to be accomplished during the war of liberation and those to be done later. The following pages outline the principal tasks and policies the Party is committed to accomplishing both during and after the war.
In the light of the above the SSUDA shall undertake the following:
1. To organize a civil administration on a democratic basis. In particular, full participation of the population in the running of
their affairs shall be the cornerstone of the administrative policy. (Refer to the constitution of the liberated entity of the Sudan).
2. To imbue in the SSDF forces the spirit of justice and human rights, an army that identifies with the people and respects their dignity. (Refer to the document of the establishment of the SSDF forces).
3. To introduce and improve the provision of health, education and other social services.
4. To uphold justice and the rule of law and order with strict respect for human rights. (Refer to the SSUDA charter for human rights). Given the present state of human displacements and suffering as a result of war and natural disasters,
such as drought floods and epidemics, the Party shall continue to pay greater attention to alleviating this situation.
In this respect it will invite all humanitarian and benevolent organizations to provide relief and development to the affected population.
HUMAN RIGHTS
The SSUDA shall guarantee basic human rights as stipulated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966″, the ‘International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966″, “The Geneva Conventions 12tb/August/1949 and the Protocols 8th June 1977” and the UNICEF Rights of the Child 1990, and etc.
1. Every citizen has the right to life and to freedom of expression, belief, conscience, association, movement and residence within the borders of Sudan.
2. Every citizen has the right to leave and return to the liberated entity of the Sudan.
3. Citizens are equal in rights, duties, and job opportunities. They shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race,
creed, sex, religion, or political beliefs.
4. All citizens are equal before the law.
5. The accused is innocent until proven guilty. The accused has the right to a fair trial as well as the right to defend
himself/herself or be defended by a lawyer of his or her choice.
6. Torture is deemed inhuman, cruel, degrading, criminal and punishable by law.
7. Every citizen, upon reaching 17 years of age, has the right to vote in general elections and the right to stand for any public office.
8. Every citizen has the right to own land and property and to trade freely.
9. Every citizen has the right to the freedom and privacy of correspondence and communication.
10. Any person is free to challenge any governing legislation that infringes on his/her right(s) as an individual or a group in a competent court of law.
RULE OF LAW
The SSUDA shall guarantee the supremacy of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary from executive and legislative institutions.
1. Legislation in Sudan shall be based on Common Law.
2. No person may be punished for an act that was not legislated a punishable offence prior to that act’s perpetration.
3. No punishment meted out may be stronger than the one provided for by the law in force.
4. The law shall determine the methods of interrogation for the accused. These shall not include torture, enticement or threat. Any confession by the accused or any statement by a witness for that matter, made or delivered under torture,
threat or enticement shall be deemed null and void and legally ineffective.
5. Any official who resorts to torture, threats or enticements, or who takes part in the same, commits a crime punishable
by law. The victim of such practices is entitled to reasonable compensation.
6. Any person sentenced to death may apply for pardon or for a legal alternative punishment. The death sentence shall
not be passed on persons under 17 or over 70 years of age. It may not be effected on women who are pregnant or mothers with newly born babies.
7. Anyone arrested shall be informed immediately about the reasons for such an arrest. No citizen may be arrested
without an operative summons issued by a competent court. Anyone arrested shall appear before a competent court within twenty-four hours.
8. Release on bail shall be an established right in the instances defined by law, provided that the money involved is paid in full.
9. Persons accused shall be separated from those already tried.
III. SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
1. Sudan shall be a democratic, multi-party and federal state.
2. The will of the people shall be the basis of the government’s authority. This shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections that shall be universal with equal suffrage and shall be held by equivalent free voting procedures.
The general structure for the system of Government shall be:
– Local Government
– State Government
– Federal Government
In conjunction with the above there shall be a national executive body and President.
VI. JUDICIARY AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
There shall be established an independent judicial system at district, province, state as well as a Appeal Court, Supreme Court and a Constitutional Court at the Federal levels.
There shall be established a new Penal Code, Criminal Code, Civil Code and Law of Contracts.
1. The local customary courts shall be developed to carry out justice in conjunction with the district courts.
2. Extensive research shall be conducted on the customary laws of the citizens of Sudan with an aim to developing adequate relations among them.
3. There shall be established legal institutions for training chiefs to develop their skills in the legal profession.
V. ARMY
The South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) shall be the army of the liberated entity of the South Sudan. The SSDF shall defend the motherland and shall ensure its territorial integrity. There shall be established a bond of love, comradeship and partnership between the population and the armed fighters. The army structures and military regulations are contained in a different document.
VI. POLICE
1. There shall be established a community-based and community friendly police force from the ranks of SSDF fighters.
2. There shall be established institutions for training police.
3. The police shall enforce law and order and act independently of the army.
VII. PRISONS
1. There shall be established a prison system based on the premise that prison is for education, reform and rehabilitation.
2. The prison system shall be production oriented. Community service punishment shall be encouraged.
3. Female and young male offenders shall be separated from adult male prisoners. All prisoners shall be treated in a manner suitable to their legal status and age.
4. There shall be established training institutes for prison wardens.
5. There shall be established institutions for adolescents for rehabilitation.
VIII. IMMIGRATION
There shall be established an immigration department that shall issue travel permits for those who want to leave or enter the liberated entity of the Sudan.
IX. FOREIGN POLICY
The formulation of foreign policy shall be based on:
1. National interest.
2. Good neighborly relations founded on national interests.
3. Mutual respect for sovereignty between liberated entity of the Sudan and other states.
4. Promotion of regional cooperation.
5. Commitment to the charter of the United Nations Organization.
6. Active participation in efforts aimed at bringing about a new International Economic Order.
XI. ECONOMIC POLICY
A. GENERAL
The resolution of economic crisis facing the country will be guided by the following principles that will pave the way for an economic transformation in the long term:
Self-reliance and self-sustenance instead of total dependency on foreign aid and loans.
Establishment of a free market economy.
Development of rural agricultural and industrial capacities that take into consideration environmental impacts.
Balance of development throughout the country.
Facilitation of a wider role for the private sector.
Foreign assistance and the importation of technology will be directed towards the maximization of domestic resources and the integration of indigenous and imported technologies in order to promote development.
The programme for economic revival shall be capable of transforming the present acute economic crisis into an economy that concentrates on growth and on the elimination of the spread of poverty. In the short term, measures are to be taken to redress critical shortages of commodities and services through market mechanisms.
B. MONEY AND FINANCE
(1) Monetary Policy
The National Executive Body is the authority that lays the economic and financial policies of the country. However, within the framework of these policies, the Central Bank must be independent from any direct administrative control by the Ministry of Finance so as to enable it to play an important role in achieving economic stability, resolving problems of inflation and establishing viable foreign exchange rates and interest rates. The Commercial Bank shall be responsible for supervising fully the activities of all Commercial Banks and other institutions within the banking sector. It will also encourage foreign investment and domestic savings.
(2) Fiscal Policy
The SSUDA recognizes that a sound fiscal policy is essential for the financial security of the country. However, the SSUDA shall endeavour to keep taxes to a minimum. The SSUDA shall:
a) Design a progressive tax system for the population which will be rigorously collected. Corrupt officials shall be severely punished in a court of law.
b) Design a fair tax system for the commercial sector.
c) Levy and collect charges on government utilities (e.g. transport, water etc.).
d) Encourage the privatization of public enterprises such as those involving electricity, water tanks, telecommunications, agriculture schemes, etc.
e) Encourage foreign investment.
f) Liberalize the financing of imports and exports.
g) Design an efficient customs system.
h) Reduce the financial dependency of local governmental institutions on the federal or state government.
i) Encourage prostates and public enterprises to compete on a profit-making basis.
j) Ensure that local councils and governmental departments operate within specified budgets. Over-spending shall
be punishable.
C. AGRICULTURAL POLICIES
The SSUDA shall:
1. Expand the productive base and introduce many cash crop varieties in order to attain self-sufficiency in food production and to contribute to hard currency revenue generation.
2. Ensure adequate protection of the environment in the planning of agricultural development. This will necessitate restricting
the choice and usage of insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
3. Strive to reduce all production costs.
4. Support and improve institutions responsible for the formulation and election of agricultural policies.
5. Adopt intensive reforestation programmes and other policies that will combat desertification.
6. Encourage private initiative in subsistence and cash-crop agricultural production
7. Establish training institutes for agricultural extension workers, horticulturalists, etc.
8. Encourage the movement and exchange or sale of crops on a competitive basis in order to stimulate the economy and to meet regional shortages.
9. Strengthen pest control activities.
D. FISHERIES
The SSUDA shall:
1. Evaluate fishing resources and develop adequate methods for their protection and exploitation.
2. Improve systems of fish preservation, curing and sale so as to maximize local resources for consumption and sale.
3. There shall be established fisheries training institutes (vocational and educational) to upgrade the fishing skills of the population.
4. Introduce private fish farming.
E. WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
Sudan is well endowed with multitudinous and rare species of wildlife and natural habitats. These must be preserved and protected. The SSUDA recognizes that the people, fauna and flora of the Sudan are interdependent and that realistic policies to conserve the environment for the benefit of all will require:
1. Sustainable usage of trees and wildlife, without lessening their capacity for renewal.
2. Protection for endangered areas and species, e.g. the Bema plateau and rhinoceros, elephants, etc.
3. Development of parks and reserves which generate benefits for the people of the area.
4. Education to ensure that such policies are understood by the people.
5. Institutes for training game wardens.
6. Encouragement of game ranches in which local communities participate.
F. TOURISM
The SSUDA shall encourage tourism in order to assist the economy, earn hard currency, increase employment and encourage cross-cultural interaction The SSUDA shall, therefore, establish the following:
– Private and public hotels and lodges to be built in harmony with the environment
– Catering institutions to upgrade the management skills of service personnel
– Duty free shops.
G. ANIMAL RESOURCES
The SSUDA shall:
1. Exert efforts to stop environmental decay in pastoral areas.
2. Improve and develop animals stocks by introducing new breeds capable of acclimating and resisting the difficult environmental conditions.
3. Intensify research and development directed towards improving animal productivity.
4. Encourage pastoral communities to commercialize animal production by establishing dairies and ranches.
5. Formulate a comprehensive plan and programme to combat the spread of endemic diseases by improving veterinary services.
6. Develop an organizational set-up that will coordinate and assist pastoralists in order to advance research and services in animal production.
7. Poaching and game hunting shall be punishable by law.
XII. INDUSTRIAL SECTOR
The SSUDA industrial policies shall be directed first and foremost towards the improved processing of agricultural crops and intermediate products as well as towards the production of related agricultural equipment. Additional efforts will be devoted to exploring and developing renewable energy sources (such as biomass and solar energy) in order to increase our nation’s manufacturing capabilities. These efforts will concentrate on:
1. Developing new energy sources (e.g. hydroelectric power).
2. Integrating industrial and non-industrial sectors of the national economy.
3. Developing minerals and petrochemical industries.
4. Laying down a framework for a free market economy.
5. Building infra-structural supports for local industries in such areas as the provisioning of fuel and other energy forms, the development of adequate transportation and communication networks and the production of essential agricultural
equipment with the aim of attaining national economic self-sufficiency and expanded export capabilities.
6. Expanding the industrial base in ways that will increase our nation’s gross national product while simultaneously reducing our economic dependence on the outside world.
7. Encouraging the development of small-scale rural industries through special incentives and concessions so as to increase employment opportunities and overall production.
8. Attracting investment bids from various international oil companies with the aim of maximizing the benefits that will accrue to the nation through the commercial development of petroleum deposits in Sudan.
9. Encouraging private foreign investment in the industrial sector.
10. Strengthening environmental safeguards in both industrial and agricultural sectors.
11. Re-examine the Nile waters agreements to benefit all concerned parties.
XIII. RESEARCH AND MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT
The SSUDA shall
1. Support existing training centers and shall establish new employment training centers in both the private and the public sectors.
2. Direct institutions of scientific research towards serving industrial development by creating close relations between them
and the productive sectors.
3. Formulate clear policies on vocational training that specify the priorities and quality of training required.
XIV. EDUCATION
The SSUDA recognizes the right of every citizen to be educated. Education shall be directed to full development of the human personality and of a sense of personal dignity. Through education the SSUDA shall strengthen respect for human rights, human freedoms and democracy. The goal of education shall be to enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society and to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all citizen—whatever their ethnic or religious affiliations.
The SSUDA appreciates that full realization of this right will require:
1. Development of a comprehensive curriculum and syllabus for Sudanese schools at all levels.
2. Expanding access to primary education for all Sudanese children.
3. Expanding higher education capacities, including technical and vocational so as to meet human resource needs.
4. Developing a long-range plan and timetable to eradicate illiteracy among adults.
5. Prioritizing teachers training programmes. Professionally qualified trainers will be sought to upgrade the nation’s teaching skills.
6. Improving school administrations and management upgraded through specialized training and the adoption of
standardized rules of conduct. Fair means of assessing standards of achievement among students will also be developed.
7. Encouraging the establishment of private schools and institutions provided that they meet nationally required standards of achievement.
8. Encouraging the usage of indigenous languages within the educational system as well as supporting related research institutes and publishing organs.
9. Affirming the right of a child’s parents or guardians to choose, whenever possible, from among governmentally approved schools in accordance with their own moral or religious preferences.
XV. HEALTH
The SSUDA recognizes the right of everyone to enjoy the highest standard of physical and mental health attainable. To achieve the full realization of this right the SSUDA shall strive to:
1. Create institutional frameworks aimed at ensuring that all persons receive adequate medical attention in the event of sickness.
2. Reduce child mortality.
3. Encourage building, maintaining, and supplying hospitals, health centers and dispensaries.
4. Improve all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene.
5. Prevent, treat and control of epidemic occupational illnesses.
6. To train medical staff in management to improve efficiency.
XVI. CULTURE AND RELIGION
The SSUDA appreciates the multi-religious and multi-cultural nature of our society. Therefore, no persons shall be denied the right to enjoy their own culture or to profess and practice their own religion or to use their own language. No particular ethnic group, whatever its size, has the right to impose its own identity on others. The SSUDA shall encourage the promotion of a new cultural outlook that would create a conducive environment for crosscuts interaction and understanding by adopting the following policies:
1. Freedom of the press and mass media is to be assured.
2. Improved means of cross-cultural communications are to be developed in the form of:
a) Theatres
b) Libraries
c) Cinemas
d) Galleries
e) Community and recreational centers
f) TV networks
g) Radio network
i) Newspapers and magazines
j) Cultural and musical societies
k) Public debate forums
1) Sports and athletics centers
3. Publishing houses that will contribute to the realization of cross-cultural interaction will be established.
4. The education system shall promote multi-cultural studies.
5. Religious tolerance and freedom of worship shall be maintained.
6. Attempts to suppress religious freedoms shall not be tolerated.
7. State and religious institutions shall remain mutually independent.
8. National and International interaction in sports and cultural activities shall be encouraged.
XVII COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
Sudan is a large country that has never developed a reliable communications and transport system. It is thus imperative that a viable network of ground, river, rail, air transport and telecommunications be established. Successful development of our industrial and commercial capacities requires an efficient infrastructure.
The SSUDA intends to prioritize the following areas:
1. Rehabilitation and development of the river transport system as it provides the cheapest means of transport.
Privatization of river transport shall be encouraged.
2. Construction of all weather road, not necessarily tarmac, connecting various parts of the country with its neighbors.
The completion of the Trans-African highway.
3. Introduction of a railway system linking Sudan with her neighbors. For example, we need to establish a Wad El Halfa/Port Sudan, Khartoum, Wau, Juba, Kapoeta, Lodwar and Mombasa rail link.
4. Establish an efficient public transport network, e.g. buses, taxis, boats, planes, trains etc. Privatization of public transport shall be encouraged.
5. Introduction of modern telecommunications systems all over the country. Privatization of telecommunication services shall be encouraged.
6. Establishment of an efficient postal service.
7. Radio and TV transmission stations shall be set up so as to play their role in information, education and development.
8. Establishment of technical institutes to meet the needs of communication and transport systems.
9. Improvement and construction of airports.
XVIII HOUSING
1. The SSUDA shall encourage home ownership
2. Housing and construction agencies shall meet environmental specifications laid down by the concerned authority.
XIX HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
Due to the war many Sudanese have been displaced, exiled, widowed and orphaned. The situation has been exacerbated by natural disasters such as drought and floods. The SSUDA regards the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need as essential. Therefore the SSUDA shall:
1. Negotiate corridors of tranquility for humanitarian relief activities.
2. Encourage the formation of indigenous relief organizations.
3. Support the activities of international relief organizations such as the UN, ICRC and NGOs to provide effective assistance to the needy.
4. Provide assistance and guidance to war orphans, widows, disabled and the wounded. Training opportunities shall be provided for disadvantaged groups to acquire new skills.
XX WATER DEVELOPMENT
A good number of Sudanese people face lack of water. The SSUDA shall drive to:
1. Promote community based alternative water supply programme.
2. Construct new water sources where required e.g. boreholes in some areas.
3. Train community’s based water technicians.
4. Supply spares, building materials, etc.
5. Rehabilitate any existing water pumps.
XXI. THE ROLE OF WOMEN
The SPDF recognizes that women have long been subjected to numerous forms of discrimination and repression. All efforts will be devoted to a speedy rectification of this situation by developing the social and economic potential of women and by raising their political involvement and cultural status through the following:
1. Encourage the development of the Sudan Women’s League (Refer to the SSUDA Women Sector constitution).
2. Encourage girls to attend school.
3. Encourage women to attend literacy classes and centers of learning.
4. Encourage women to compete for public offices and jobs.
5. Encourage women to appreciate good health habits and child care.
6. Support Women League to develop leadership, managerial and educational skills.
7. Encourage women to participate in social and economic development e.g. income generating projects- cottage industries, horticulture.
8.SSUDA therefore present its political program to all Sudanese, regional, international community, friends of Sudan and South Sudan in particular for observation. SSUDA believes that “charity always begins at home.” Membership is opened to all peace loving people of South Sudan. SSUDA recognizes no political boundaries among all God’s children. It does not discriminate against any South Sudanese citizens on the basis of ethnicity (tribe), religion, ideology, gender, race, creed and national origin. It is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is a democratic institution operating on democratic tenets and values. It is a people’s party determines to eradicate ethnocentric domination and autocratic rule by any means necessary.
Inspired by the justice of the cause of the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan. Guided by the long and rich history of the courageous and valiant struggle of our people; determined in our resolve to achieve the objectives of the struggle whatever the sacrifices; supported by the masses of our people all over the Sudan; and The SSUDA shall mobilize human and material resources to achieve the right of self-determination.