SSUDA’s David de Chand denies noplotting against SPLM’s Salva Kiir

Thursday, February 8, 2007 — The leadership of SSUDA/SSDF would like to refute false allegations made by some civil society organizations that SSUDA Chairman Dr. David de Chand is plotting a coup with Lt.-Gen. Matip against President Salva Kier Mayardit. On 4 Feb 2007, an alliance of Union of Nuer Community in North America (UNCONA), Equatoria Professionals in Europe (EPE) and Equatoria Solidarity International (ESI) came out with s rhetorical statement alleging that there is a coup plotted against the President of the semi-autonomous or transitional Government of South Sudan.

The press release of the three communities triggered fears among South Sudan people who are yearning for peace because many people have no clue about the peace process currently underway between the SSDF and the SPLA. The leadership of three communities misinterpreted the word “allegiance” to think that SSUDA/SSDF is plotting a coup. Based on the context of the press release issued by SSUDA on 4 February 2007, “allegiance” means acceptance of appointment of Paulino Matip by President Kier as the chief mediator of the SPLA with SSDF. President Kier himself is aware of his appointment of the deputy commander-in-chief of the SPLA as the head of the SPLA’s mediation team that would soon start dialogue with SSUDA/SSDF. Therefore, what we meant by “pledging allegiance to Lt. Gen. Matip” was meant to expression that our group has accepted to commence dialogue with SPLM/A delegation headed by Lt. Gen. Paulino Matip. It does not mean bypassing or ignoring the fact that Lt. Gen. Kiir Mayardit is the commander-in-chief of the SPLA, President of the GOSS and the Chairman of the SPLM.

It is not the first time in history of negotiations for a deputy commander-in-chief to head the delegation to peace talk. Zubeir Mohamed Salah mediated peace between the Government of Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar’s South Sudan Independence Movement (SSIM). It was also the current Second Vice-president, Mohamed Taha, who mediated with Dr. Garang in Naivasha. It would be unreasonable for some people to conclude that since Lt. Gen. Matip is heading SPLA delegation, then, there is a coup plotted against President Kiir. That is baseless because President Kiir himself is aware that he has no time to head the SPLA delegation while he is running the affairs of two governments, i.e., the GOSS and the Government of Nationality (GONU)

We forgive the three communities for taking words out of context because English is the second language of most South Sudanese. Moreover, South Sudan civil society organizations have not informed by either SPLM or SSUDA about the ongoing exploratory measures for Dialogue between the two political groups for various reasons. The politicians are conducting their affairs in secret. When dialogue starts, the leadership of SSUDA will invite individuals like John Gatluak Kam, Dr. Luka Odiong and Victor Charles Adeba as observers and witnesses.

The leadership of SSUDA would also like to inform the public to disregard the press release issued by Secretary of Information, Peter Chuol Gatluak in the name of SSUDA. The leadership of Dr. David de Chand has forgiven Peter Chuol Gatluak for his emotional and erratic response to decision made by the majority of SSUDA’s members in the United States as well as in Sudan. For the sake of peace and reconciliation among Southerners, Peter Chuol Gatluak would resume his duties as usual without any internal discipline. The spirit of forgiveness among Southerners must start within our own house before going to peace with SPLM/A.

We appeal to South Sudan public and the international community to pray for peace between SSUDA/SSDF and the SPLM/A. The time to forget the past crimes and move on is now. There is no future in South Sudan without forgiveness. We want the spirit of God to touch those who have difficulty forgiving their brothers who wronged against them. The leadership of SSUDA/SSDF under Dr. David de Chand has decided to bury the hatchet between the SPLA and SSDF. We are looking forward to eating in the same restaurant with our brothers in the SPLA without enmities and hatred that undermined South Sudan liberation for three decades. We do not want the past to hold the South hostage. It is the responsibility of SSUDA and SPLM to think about the future of the next generation. Most importantly, our unity of purpose and of equals for our strategic interest and survival as a people and a nation is paramount. We are all yearning for lasting peace throughout Sudan and South Sudan in particular.

We call upon All of Sudan’s ecumenical council comprising of all interfaith and people of Good will to pray so that God would touch the heart of President Bashir to bless dialogue between the SPLM/A and SSUDA/SSDF. The road to everlasting peace in Sudan is through SSDF—SPLA successful negotiations and readiness to share power, resources. It is in the best interest of everyone in Sudan to stand up to support the peace to prevail in the South. Unity of Sudan predicated on the existence of peace in the South.
God Bless you all.

Signed,

– David Chand, PhD, Chairman, SSUDA
– Contacts: [email protected]
– +402-515-6254