SPLM Chapters Conference adopts working recommendations
By Isaac Vuni
July 17, 2007 (JUBA) — After six days of open and franks deliberation on the conference theme “The challenges of transition, the implementation of CPA and the role of the SPLM Chapter during the transition period and Beyond” the participants of the First SPLM Chapter Leaders International Conference, held at Juba, capital of South Sudan, from July11th to 16th 2007 passed series of recommendations with amendment and the full text are as follow:
The preamble of the recommendations stated that; celebrating our historic struggle to be free from all forms of injustice, oppression, exploitation and marginalization;
Concerned over the continuing crises in Darfur and other parts of the Sudan that undermine security and stability of Sudan;
Gravely concerned about the failure and reluctance by the National Congress Party to co-operate with the SPLM to ensure the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement within the agreed timeframe;
Aware of the need to maintain vigilance on the enforcement and implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which captures the aspirations of the people of Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile, Abyei and other marginalized areas;
Acknowledging the contribution and sacrifices made to liberate our people and our land;
Informed by other experiences but keenly aware of the unique conditions and challenges that confront the processes of transition in Southern Sudan;
Conscious of our role as members of the SPLM in the Diaspora to:
Support and protect the tenets of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which provides the roadmap to the realization of the vision of a New Sudan;
Build a prosperous nation in which all citizens are secure, vulnerable groups are supported and heroes remembered;
Lay the foundations for sustainable social, economic and political development in which all citizens contribute to and benefit in all the processes of nation building;
Rededicate ourselves to the SPLM vision of the creation of a just peaceful, prosperous, secular and democratic New Sudan;
The Participants affirm their steadfast support to HE Salva Kiir Mayardit, Chairman of the SPLM, and president of the Government of Southern Sudan and the entire leadership of SPLM and urge all the leaders to maintain commitment and unity of purpose in guiding the Movement and the Government of South Sudan, during this difficult time of Transition.
They resolved that SPLM leadership and GOSS officials at all levels should, however, remain accountable to their diverse political constituencies and be accessible when needed for meaningful dialogue and consultations by the Chapters and other stakeholders.
That the SPLM secretariat to develop rules and regulations in a consultative manner to ensure free and fair party elections during the National Convention.
TRANSFORMATION
The chapter’s leaders pledge their support to transformation of the SPLM from a liberation movement to a political party able to compete and win the generation elections in 2008.
That the party leadership will ensure that the SPLM shall have the capacity and the requisite resources to be able to continue its historical mission to be the vanguard of political, economic and social change in Sudan based on its core values and vision of New Sudan.
The SPLM leadership at all levels should promote party unity within Sudan as well as amongst the Diaspora.
The SPLM leadership should work for the reorganization and transformation of trade unions, media and civil society organizations so that they are vibrant entities free from political control and manipulation and are oriented towards promoting public interest and the development of the rest of society in Sudan.
Regarding the on-going efforts to strengthen the SPLM, the Diaspora shall embrace and inculcate a new culture of internal democracy in the Chapters, based on the SPLM guidelines and principles as well as other written rules and regulations to govern the Chapters.
That each Chapter will embark to recruit new SPLM members, encourage their members to acquire the new party identity cards, and thereafter elect their officials in order to complement a similar exercise by the party in the whole Sudan.
The Diaspora pledges to provide voluntarily the requisite expertise to refine party policies and sector programmes in line with the SPLM’s Strategic Plan.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPA
The Diasporas commits themselves to full implementation of the CPA as the basis of lasting peace and transformation of Sudan, and urges the SPLM leadership to remain resolute and steadfast to face the challenges ahead.
The Diaspora further pledges to step up advocacy and pressure on the international community to bring pressure to bear on the National Congress Party to meet its obligations under the CPA without prevarication.
POLITICAL SUPPORT
Resolved to Support the Political Leadership of H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, Chairman of SPLM, and Government of Southern Sudan together with entire leadership of the SPLM and urge all the leaders to maintain commitment and unity of purpose in guiding the Movement and the Government of South Sudan, during this difficult time of Transition.
The SPLM leadership and GOSS officials at all levels should, however, remain accountable to their diverse political constituencies and be accessible when needed for meaningful dialogue and consultations by the Chapters and other stakeholders.
GENDER & YOUTH
That a policy for youth and gender should be developed to provide a framework for the participation of these groups in the work of the SPLM and that affirmative action for women wherever it is provided for should be implemented.
Training programmes for women and youth should be designed to ensure the effective participation of these groups in the work of the SPLM.
MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES
The Diaspora is committed to make its contribution to the construction and development of Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei through transfer of knowledge and skills, material investments, and the promotion of better relations between South Sudan as well as other marginalized areas and the Diaspora’s countries of residence.
The SPLM secretariat in consultation with GOSS should remain the main mechanism to promote and manage the contribution of the Diaspora in the post-conflict Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.
The Diaspora resolves to establish the Diaspora Fund to supplement and support the implementation of the SPLM’s Strategic Plan and to hire staff for the SPLM secretariat and to be managed in close consultation with the Chapters.
The Chapters have resolved to develop a data base on diverse skills of the Diaspora to provide information on the available human capital for development in Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.
GOSS should identify and prioritize community-based development projects they require the Diaspora to undertake in order to complement the government efforts.
There is need for GOSS to streamline the policy and legal framework and agencies to promote and coordinate investments in Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.
The SPLM Secretariat should establish a Think Tank and a Resource Centre to comprise experts and scholars loyal and faithful to the party.
SELF – REFLECTION
We appreciate with gratitude the efforts made by the SPLM and especially by the External Affairs Secretariat for the organization of this First SPLM Chapters’ International Conference and encourage that it becomes a regular feature in the SPLM calendar of events.
We resolve to establish a special committee, comprising representatives from the Chapters and the SPLM secretariat, to develop the implementation framework, a work plan and a monitoring and evaluation system as well as to follow up the implementation of the recommendations and resolutions.
It is so recommended and resolved at Juba this 16th day of July 2007.
That a policy for youth and gender should be developed to provide a framework for the participation of these groups in the work of the SPLM
Affirmative action for women wherever it is provided for should be implemented.
Training programmes for women and youth should be designed to ensure the effective participation of these groups in the work of the SPLM.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
In order to enhance mutual understanding between the SPLM and its Chapters, it is resolved to streamline and strengthen the communication process to remove the existing obstacles and ensure effective flow of information and foster consultations and dialogue.
The SPLM Secretariat has established the Department of communication as the primary contact for information but it requires adequate funds to employ full-time staff;
The representatives of SPLM and GOSS in each country must have separate and well defined responsibilities to ensure that the SPLM representatives serve only the party members in the Diaspora whereas the GOSS representatives play the ambassadorial role to serve all irrespective of the party affiliation.
Official communication channels between the SPLM secretariat and the officials of the Chapters through the SPLM representatives will be the main sources of information about party matters to the Diaspora and other channels will be regarded unofficial, requiring further verification with the Department of Communication to minimize misinformation.
The Chapters and the Diaspora should network amongst themselves to enhance bonding and information flow on party matters.
The Diaspora will establish a website to act as a platform for interaction and sharing of ideas and shall contribute such knowledge as required to develop effective e-communication.
SPLM secretariat in consultation with the Chapters should ensure regular visits by the top party leadership to meet the Diaspora throughout the world to dialogue and exchange views on challenges ahead.
MOBILIZATION OF RESOURCES
The Diasporas committed to make their contribution to the construction and development of Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei through transfer of knowledge and skills, material investments, and the promotion of better relations between South Sudan as well as other marginalized areas and the Diaspora’s countries of residence.
The SPLM secretariat in consultation with GOSS should remain the main mechanism to promote and manage the contribution of the Diaspora in the post-conflict Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.
The Diaspora resolves to establish the Diaspora Fund to supplement and support the implementation of the SPLM’s Strategic Plan and to hire staff for the SPLM secretariat and to be managed in close consultation with the Chapters.
The Chapters have resolved to develop a data base on diverse skills of the Diaspora to provide information on the available human capital for development in Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.
GOSS should identify and prioritize community-based development projects they require the Diaspora to undertake in order to complement the government efforts.
There is need for GOSS to streamline the policy and legal framework and agencies to promote and coordinate investments in Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei.
The SPLM Secretariat should establish a Think Tank and a Resource Centre to comprise experts and scholars loyal and faithful to the party.
ELECTIONS
The Diaspora supports the proposed National Elections Bill, 2007, that provides for both majoritarian and proportional representation electoral systems.
A sustained nation-wide voter education programme should be carried out so that the cherished right to vote won by our people is not frustrated by lack of awareness.
A policy to effect the right of the Sudanese in Diaspora to participate in the elections of 2008 and in the referendum in 2011 should be urgently developed. The policy should ensure that those in Diaspora are able to vote while away in their countries of residence.
SELF – REFLECTION
We appreciate with gratitude the efforts made by the SPLM and especially by the External Affairs Secretariat for the organization of this First SPLM Chapters’ International Conference and encourage that it becomes a regular feature in the SPLM calendar of events.
We resolve to establish a special committee, comprising representatives from the Chapters and the SPLM secretariat, to develop the implementation framework, a work plan and a monitoring and evaluation system as well as to follow up the implementation of the recommendations and resolutions.
(ST)