New S. Sudan front resolved to contribute to peace implementation

September 24, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The South Sudan United Democratic Alliance and South Sudan Democratic Forum together with prominent members of the civil society have merged yesterday creating the South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF).

The founding members of the SSDF said this new political party will allow them to contribute to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by Sudan’s government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on 9 January 2005.

The SSDF members had signed Khartoum /Fashoda Peace Agreements in 1997 with the ruling NCP, a deal that stipulate the self determination of the southern Sudan people.

“Since the CPA is an extension of the Khartoum /Fashoda Peace Agreements of 1997, the SSDF and its rightful political wings have, therefore, decided to contribute in the implementation of peace and democratization of Sudan.” Said the statement.

(ST)

Below the full text of Declaration for the formation of South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF) :

It has been a long time in retrospect to the CPA in order to participate and contribute in the democratization, reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement efforts in the aftermath of the CPA.

We, the South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA) and South Sudan
Democratic Forum—the political wings of South Sudan Defense Force—are joined by veteran Southern politicians and prominent members of civil society to transform SSDF into a political party refer to herein as South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF). The decision of these political forces to form a coalition party along with SSDF is precipitated by the need to assist the Government of National Unity (GoNU) in the implementation of the CPA and to participate in the democratization process of Sudan.

We felt there are viable, vibrant and energetic SSDF forces who could effectively facilitate peaceful political development in Sudan in general and South Sudan in particular. Since the CPA is an extension of the Khartoum /Fashoda Peace Agreements of 1997, the SSDF and its rightful political wings have, therefore, decided to contribute in the implementation of peace and democratization of Sudan. Furthermore, the transformation of SSDF military into a political entity would make it acceptable to the signatories of the CPA, the international peace sponsors (the USA, the UK, Italy and Norway) and the IGAD mediators.

We have taken a bold decision to transform our military force into political entity for the followings reasons: –

1. We have decided to effectively participate and contribute in the democratization process, political and socioeconomic development of Sudan as well as the consolidation of the CPA through the peaceful modalities.

2. We have embraced the Sudanese people to support the CPA and its implementation as a process of achieving lasting peace, equitable power and wealth sharing, equitable development and prosperity for its people through the process of democratization, good governance, the rule of law, human rights protection, transparency, accountability and inclusiveness in Government of National Unity (GoNU) and the Government of South Sudan (GoSS).

3. It is worthy to mention for the first time that the Sudanese people have been given the opportunity to freely preserve democracy, national unity, equality and justice by granting South Sudanese the right to exercise self-determination as it was stipulated in the Khartoum/Fashoda Peace Agreements of 1997, and reiterated in the CPA of 2005.

4. We trust that the Government of National Unity (GoNU), under the leadership and guidance of H.E. President Omer Hassan El Basher (the chairman of the NCP) and the First Vice-president Salva Kiir Mayardit (the chairman of SPLM), would be more concerned with South-South Dialogue and developmental issues, which demand stringent transparency and accountability, and therefore would require the presidency to promote tangible developmental programs under its own supervision in order to attract foreign donors and friends to do the same in the post-war South Sudan and other war affected areas.

5. It is worthy to mention that the South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF) is the first embodiment of peace in retrospect to the Khartoum/Fashoda Peace Agreements of 1997. The SSDF’s quest for everlasting peace in the Sudan was reinforced when the SPLM/A signed the CPA with the Government of Sudan (GoS) in 2005. Nevertheless, the SSDF is now transforming itself into political entity so that it would ensure the smooth implementation of the CPA by redirecting the energies of its forces into politics of development, culture of peace and reconciliation through dialogue.

6. Because there is a need for the implementation of the CPA by all political groups and military forces, including Other Armed Groups (OAGs), the leadership of SSDF took courage to show to other military groups in Sudan the need to transform themselves into peaceful political parties that would participate in the democratization of Sudan. In this respect, our program that we envisage for the South in order to bring about lasting peace is as follows:-

(a) Reconciliation and truth through dialogue;

(b) To promote a culture of peace and tolerance;

(c) Democratization, human rights, respect for private property rights in accordance with the law, cultural values and heritage of every ethnic groups, intercultural and inter-ethnic tolerance and unity in diversity in the country;

(d) Tangible economic developmental programs (education, commerce, agriculture and human resource development…etc.);

(e) Implementation of a comprehensive and universal educational and health programs for war affected areas to ensure that no child is left behind;

(f) To respect freedom of speech, assembly, association, freedom of worship and preservation of languages, including protection of the minorities;

(g) Protection of women rights and inclusion of women in the political and economic developmental processes.

7. As a pro-democratic party, we will strive to make alliances and bipartisanship with other political parties and the civil societies in order to preserve and sustain the peace and development of our country.
8. We strive to contain divisiveness, ethno-centrism (tribalism), its hegemonic tendencies and its primordial identifications, stereotyping, stigmatization, hatred, incitement and fear among the general public in order to accelerate the process of reconciliation and truth through dialogue, culture of peace, unity in diversity, as well as repentance, forgiveness and cooperation among all ethnic groups.

9. We shall cooperate with international community in order to advance our national development, while maintaining the integrity of Sudan’s cultural norms and its ethnic diversity. We shall advocate that the international community desists from stereotyping Sudan as a “Monster” and “war monger” nation-state in the African Continent. Sudan is known throughout African continent as a country that promotes peace, unity and brotherhood among African peoples.

10. We shall strive to articulate the internal political dynamics and intricacies of Sudan in their rightful perspectives and comprehension for the benefit of international peace and security. Hence, the preservation of our integrity, transparency, accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law, including democratization and good governance, warrant support and cooperation from the international community as well as readiness to open our books to whoever is interested to use them.

We, therefore, urge and appeal to all Sudanese and the South Sudanese in particular, to join this new political renaissance in order to transform Sudan into a country of peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, we call upon all Sudanese political parties, other political forces, ecumenical community and civil societies to embrace this call for democratic change that would lead to open market economy, freedom of association, speech, religious and social tolerance and protection of women and children rights. We also call for economic policies in the South that do not discriminate or prohibit any Sudanese citizen from participating in economic activities in the South. Moreover, we call for free market economy that would not disadvantage the aspiring local entrepreneurs in Sudan in general and South Sudan in particular, by regulating foreign investors who may attempt to monopolize the market economy in the South.

SOUTH SUDAN DEMOCRATIC FRONT (SSDF)
INFORMATION DESK
KHARTOUM, SUDAN