South Sudan alliance denies taking part in the new front

September 26, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Another political force, the South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA), has denied taking part in the formation of a new political party announced in Khartoum last Sunday.

James Miak kur, SSUDA acting General Secretary, dismissed in a press statement the merger of the party in the new South Sudan Democratic Front. He accused what he described as the “group of six” of usurping the name of the alliance.

“SSUDA Executive Political Bureau (EPB) would like to inform the Sudanese public, the readers, particularly Southern Sudanese to know that SSUDA is not a part of the new political party formed by six individuals known as “group of six”.” He said.

The statement said that David de Chand and Peter Chuol Gatluak had been sacked from the SSUA leadership and had no authority to act in its name.

Yesterday, the office of South Sudan Democratic Forum in the USA denied taking part in the new party. The SSDF US said this new front aims” to undermine the Government of South Sudan.

In a press conference held in Khartoum on Sunday 23 September, it was announced the creation of South Sudan Democratic Front (SSDF). The leadership of the newly formed front said the South Sudan Defence Force (SSDF) and the South Sudan United Democratic Alliance (SSUDA), with some prominent figures have merged to answer hope and aspirations of the southerners and go ahead with peace and development.

(ST)

The following is the text of the SSUDA statement

On Sunday September 23, 2007 to dismay of many Southern Sudanese, a group of six individuals who are dismissed from South Sudan political parties (South Sudan Democratic Forum and South Sudan United Democratic Alliance) held a press conference in Khartoum and announced the formation of the new party. In this press conference and as it been reported by some medias, it said “the South Sudan Defense Forces, South Sudan United Democratic Alliance, announced its transformation into a political party after amalgamation with the dissolved South Sudan Democratic Forum”(United Nations Mission in Sudan, Radio Miraya News report., September 24, 2007). The press conference also declared to have dissolved the SSDF which is a pro National Congress Party.

While the leadership of SSUDA cannot response to allegation posed by group of six individuals in regard to South Sudan Defense Forces, the NCP, and Democratic Forum, the SSUDA Executive Political Bureau (EPB) would like to inform the Sudanese public, the readers, particularly Southern Sudanese to know that SSUDA is not a part of the new political party formed by six individuals known as “group of six”.

As it was made clearly by the press release of South Sudan Democratic Forum on September 7, 2007, it stated that “the fact of the matter is that these political parties (SSUDA and Democratic Forum) are not merging or dissolving themselves to form a new political party. The statement is therefore a deception and is misleading both local and international public opinion” (see Sudan Tribune, Friday September 7, 2007). As such these six individuals could have been in a better position if they had declared themselves as a group of dismissed, because legally they cannot qualify to call themselves as a breakaway group from SSUDA and Democratic Forum because they were dismissed for violating the party rules and discipline.

In regard to the two SSUDA’s dismissed individuals (Professor David DeChand and Mr. Peter Chuol Gatluak) SSUDA leadership would like all Southern Sudanese to know that the two individuals have been dismissed from SSUDA leadership and membership. Therefore, they have no legal rights and moral obligation to present and do any business in the name of South Sudan Democratic Alliance (SSUDA). The following exposure of facts which carried the SSUDA leadership decisions will explain why the two individuals are not part of SSUDA leadership:

That, Professor David DeChand was dismissed from SSUDA leadership via press statement dated the 9th of October, 2006; and finally was striped form SSUDA membership for releasing un authorized statement that SSUDA has joined the SPLM. Thus, was bar from speaking on behalf of SSUDA/SSDF via press statement dated February 10, 2007.

That, Mr. Peter Chuol Gatluak was dismissed from SSUDA leadership and membership, effective September 3, 2007 by the Executive Political Bureau (EPB) via press release statement dated on September 6, 2007; because of corruption, nepotism and tribalism. This official decision remains active by the majority vote of the leadership.

Based on these facts, the two individuals do not and cannot in any capacity represent SSUDA. However, we in the SSUDA leadership respect the rights of six individuals like any other Sudanese to form any political party as stipulated in Article 40 (1) of the Interim Constitution of the Republic of Sudan and Article 29 (1) of Constitution of Southern Sudan. These articles protect and guarantees freedom of association including the rights to form a political party.

To the contrary, however, the questions which posed themselves are: who are these individuals running around to form a political party? Do they have a political and social integrity that qualify them to form a political party that can lead the nation? And who is behind them?, and for what purpose?

While we leave Southern Sudanese to answer these questions, we in the SSUDA leadership, strongly believed that these individuals or the “group of six dismissed individuals” not only self-serving who are obsessed with politics of hate, tribalism, bigotry, and nepotism (as they already practiced within the leadership of SSUDA), but also dangerous individuals who are on the quest for destruction of the people of South Sudan and the Sudan as whole, if they are given the opportunity to lead the nation. As far as we are concern these two individuals are only capable to function and lead within their own tribal clan as they have done it.

We also believed that the solution for political, economic, and social problems facing the Sudan, particularly South Sudan is not the creation of too many new political parties. But how to make the current political parties effective, efficient, accountable, and democratic. This is what is needed at this time, be it for the governing parties (the SPLM and the NCP) or for political parties who are not participated in the government of CPA. This is a politically correct and burning question of our time, and this should be what be expected from politically mature and responsible citizens.

At the same time, we in the SSUDA leadership believed that the Sudanese people, particularly Southern Sudanese are wise and good people who can differentiate the differences between what is good for them, and those who carry evil mission to take us back to the York of darkness where exploitation and marginalization of oppressed people was the duty of daily activity.

As such, the important lesson that can be recalled here is that, the Southern people have been struggling for decades since the first movement and we have lost enough generation to this struggle. And, we in the leadership of SSUDA, cannot and will not take you back to the life of darkness; nor should you, the people of South Sudan allow any political organization (powerful or less powerful) to take away the little you have achieved. Leave alone a group of individuals who are out there for self aggrandizement and aspiring to install themselves to the crown where they can practice more corruption and tribalism. We believed that Southern Sudanese are better off without such individuals.

Lastly, we like to make it abundantly clear to all Southern Sudanese and Sudanese public at large that the South Sudan united Democratic Alliance (SSUDA) under the leadership of Dr. Ojulu Ochalla is remains strong and united with the whole structure in place. This includes both leadership in North America, Europe, East Africa and in the Sudan, particularly South Sudan. And, that the two individuals only left with their family and two to four village men (from their clan). Thus, they have no single support in Diaspora, including in South Sudan; except for a few greedy individuals who are looking for money in Khartoum.

Finally, we want to assure the public to note that South Sudan United Democratic Alliance/SSUDA was formed in North America by a group of dedicated intellectuals who are making a decent life here; and has profound mission in which it was created for. This is a South Sudan organization formed for Southern Sudanese and therefore, it is expected to be around here and in South Sudan until the year 2011 and thereafter.

South Sudan United Democratic Alliance/SSUDA Executive Political Bureau (EPB)

Singed:

James Miak kur, SSUDA Treasury and Acting General Secretary,

For contact email [email protected]