SSUDA pledges allegiance to Paulino Matip, urges reconciliation

SOUTH SUDAN UNITED DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE (SSUDA) PLEDGES ALLEGIANCE TO THE SSDF UNDER GENERAL MATIP NHAIL COMMANDS

Sunday, Feb 4, 2007 — SSUDA is the political wing of the South Sudan Defense Forces under the commands of General Paulino Matip. It is as if the SPLM and SPLA are two in one. The same arrangements are also laudable and inseparable in the SSUDA/SSDF structures and institutions. It should recognize that all members of SSUDA/SSDF whether they reside in the Diaspora or inside Sudan are also full pledged members of the SSDF; it would be incomprehensible for any party or any members of SSUDA/SSDF establishment not to extricate from the SSUDA/SSDF flagship. In short, are all in it together. Therefore, we should do the right thing.

SSUDA is a grass-root political movement striving for the exercise of the right of self-determination (independence) democratic governance, unity of purpose, social justice, equality, human rights, transparency and accountability and anti-corruption in government and diverse community- that’s to say, “inclusive of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and other identities of difference”. SSUDA is determined to establish a pluralistic democratic and moralistic society in South Sudan. It is anti-corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and human rights as well as terrorism and torture. This is the bottom line.

As clearly stated in the SSUDA’s Charter, preamble, constitution and by-laws, we have committed ourselves to diffuse the current extremely volatile politico-military situation and ethnic dilemmas, acute underdevelopment, backwardness, misery, disease and hunger and abject poverty. We cannot resolve these issues prior to unity and national unification and integration policy achieved in South Sudan.

SSUDA goal and objective is the absolute elimination of all forms of perceived oppression, ethnocentric hegemonic tendencies (tribalism), social injustice, gender inequality, blatant social discrimination, and domination of one group by another.

SSUDA as a legitimate political party has one of the largest autonomous, strongest, diverse, and ablest military forces throughout South Sudan. In addition, it has highly competent and highly qualified cadres in the Diaspora and within Sudanese state. The inclusion of this highly qualified and experienced work force abroad could ultimately make a difference in creating democratic good governance, and the rule of law in the South. Most of these people are eager to transfer knowledge, technology, skills and the knowledge or expertise to the South. Nevertheless, many of them are hesitant to return to the South because of fear in harms way from the military dominated government in the South. Today, the government in Juba is stagnant because it does not have expertise and highly qualified cadres. SSUDA could fill the gap and close the vacuum by recruiting and renting such a diverse labor force in Diaspora.

We appeal to all SSUDA/SSDF cadres wherever they reside to give pledge of allegiance to the leadership under the command of General Paulino Matip as agreed under the Juba Declaration on 8 January 2006.We have nothing to fear except fear itself. We have nothing to loose except to gain respect and honor. This move is surrender. It is a way to penetrate and make tremendous and fantastic changes form within. Our legitimate concerns are now been realized and as such; we should join SSDF under General Matip to affect change from within through passive means.

Cognizance that SSUDA is a democratic movement: First, it has the ability to encourage South-South unity of purpose and of equals and a fundamental foundation of a diverse community and to promote a meaningful South-South Dialogue to strategize the future. Second, conciliation among southerners of their internal dirty laundry and differences peaceful and politically is an idea whose time has come. If the fundamental idea were to achieve a tangible outcome, reconciliation would be a prerequisite. Third, SSUDA would be represented and participate effectively in the GOSS and the Government of National Unity (GONU) in Khartoum. Fourth, SSUDA would encourage cooperation and reconciliation among the ranks and files of all SSUDA/SSDF cadres and other Southerners. Fifth, SSUDA would work to encourage democratization, good governance, and the rule of law, human rights, transparency and accountability. Furthermore, SSUDA promote ethics, integrity, and anti-corruption in government in the South Sudan.

We have to be visionary, downstream focus and deploy strategic rethinking for the future of South Sudan. Given the current political circumstances in the country, it is now the time for south Sudan to stand up united for the struggle that cast us so many lives for past five decades. In my capacity as the Chairman of the SSUDA and by the powers invested in me, I do hereby appeal and urge all SSUDA/SSDF and the SPLM/A leaderships to foster a spirit of reconciliation, unity of purpose and goodwill.

There is no doubt that south Sudanese have been in a state of political fragmentation, disarrayed and delusion to due to bad leadership or the absence thereof of good leadership and the overspill of bad governance for the past 25 years of armed struggle. The time to soul searching, repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation is now. It is better we do it before it is too Nevertheless, we should not forget the tumultuous pain, suffering and mental anguish that we all had journeyed through in the wilderness for three generations. George Lukas reminds all of us that “those who forget history are bound to repeat it”. My appeal to all South Sudanese is that let us not forget history for history may repeat itself.

We should give credit where it is due. The road to reconciliation undertaken by Dr. Machar and company through the Nairobi Declaration in 2002 was the right step in the right direction. General Paulino Matip the SSUDA/SSDF through the Juba Declaration of 8 Janaury 2006 emulated the same passage.

We appeal and urge all SSUDA/SSDF cadres should not to envisage this move as a betrayal. It is the right thing to do. This decision would promote SSUDA to establish it offices and cells throughout the South and the North as well. There is no doubt that SSUDA would select candidate for 2008-9 General Elections in Sudan and South Sudan in particular.

God bless you all,

Signed: David Chand, Chairman, SSUDA