SPLM, never accept piece meal deals with the NCP

By Isaiah Abraham

November 9, 2007 — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP), the major political and military players of the Sudan signed an agreement known as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) two and half years ago in the Kenyan capital Nairobi witnessed by several international figures and organizations, in an attempt to bring together the country after several years of unrest. It was a good beginning for the country that never enjoyed peace since its independence from Britain forty nine years ago. They wasted no time in making promises and pledges to move this country away from war to peace, prosperity and democratic dispensation based on new models and principles. The death of Dr. John Garang de Mabior however dealt a blow to this process as his predecessor (Gen. Kiir) had his own understanding and approach different from that of Garang. His counterpart Omar Hassan El Basher on the other hand failed to read Gen. Kiir in almost everything; and hence emerged gulfing wedge between the two leaders. But despite this diversion, the country never looked back and hopes and aspirations of the Sudanese were high.

The feeling change when the NCP tested the SPLM after the formation of commissions and the institutions that were established to safeguard the agreement. Things didn’t go as expected and slowly the mistrust built up as the two camps dig or retreat to their original bases. The straw that broke the camel back was the Darfur and suggested shuffling of the SPLM members. The SPLM withdrew its members from the Government of National Unity (GoNU) asked the NCP to fulfill some conditions, otherwise the partnership could be divorced. The two sides made real their threats through military and diplomatic mobilization and almost went to war against each other; but thanks to the Sudanese people.

Southern Sudan could smile all the way to Referendum in 2011 because of tested resolve of the Sudanese people and particularly the de facto political players, namely the NCP, the SPLM, USAP and the Democratic Forum in their lately realization of responsibility. The SPLM/NCP to be exact have come out of age and mature now to work on their feet for the best interest of the Sudan. Not necessarily on this particular crisis but throughout that period after signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). If they had overcome Garang’s disappearance crisis, what would stop them from overcoming the present crisis? This might not be the last crisis though, others would follow, perhaps most tough yet to come within the period of the Transition. The SPLM to their credit refused to get swallowed, this has been an encouragement.

The SPLM had woken up and there is no doubt that they aren’t serious partners in peace of this country. The SPLM stood the test although non at this stage could say whether the crisis are actually over or about to be over, given the unpredictability color of Khartoum. They might say something and do nothing at the same time. The example is what the White State Governor is doing by stopping goods and movements of items coming down to Southern Sudan. Therefore, the SPLM must go slow on any promise that comes out from the NCP. The NCP must be directed to clearly draw its way more openly on how it wants to implement the pending issues in the agreement item by item; succinctly indicates how it would move from here on a time line observed by everyone including peace brokers. It must lucidly and unequivocally detail and specify how each item in dispute is to be resolved in whole, not in stages/pieces.

In the meantime though, the SPLM needs to maintain its steady head as to issues other than show of stuffed press conferences that portray intransigence and tension like feelings. The President and his team thus far nevertheless, were up to the job- managing crisis. They rebuffed temptation of exasperation after each single provocation from the NCP and instead stick to why the agreement on this and that area wasn’t being implemented. The Sudanese and the world stood and still stand with the SPLM. They must not just retreat and rush the SPLM members to their seats in Khartoum. Positions come and go but our beautiful Southern Sudan would remain time and again.

Southern Sudan struggle isn’t yet over until it’s really over. The question then is when is it actually going to be over? In another word, why struggle again when Southern Sudan is 90% under Southern Sudanese authority? This query comes straight from those who went into deep asleep or indifferent guys who assume that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is an end in itself. To them the agreement (CPA) is enough since it has brought some ‘benefits/goodies’ for the South among them peace. These gentlemen were caught gapping when the Sudan People Liberation Movement Interim Bureau pulled a trigger to freeze it’s partnership with the National Congress Party (NCP). This action by the SPLM is perceived (mainly by this group) as endangering the CPA and by extension their undeserved free privileges that came their way. Far from it, the SPLM is instead for its full implementation.

We shouldn’t be surprise if there could be individuals who want the boycott to end unconditionally. They would be flatly wrong! No boycott until things becomes so clearer and quantifiable! The same minority that has always straddled Southern Sudan with their shameful acts of collaborating with Khartoum on their sons’ blood are again on similar path. But the truth on resumption is this: it would be cheap and very unstable if not naïve and possibly dangerous to simply put off the boycott without any solution to issues at the agreement. If it happened just for the sake of lifting we shall likely experience backslash in different forms and shades against the reputation of Southern Sudan, the party and its leaders. It might salvage peace yes but not the content of that peace. So, should the boycott be lifted or should it not? The answer is absolutely not, no lifting! Peace minus Abyei, oil benefits, General Election and Referendum is no better peace and just meaningless/useless.

The boycott however could be lifted when Census ingredients such as border demarcation and grey areas in contention are addressed. There must be no rush or hurry. There could be apparent signs leading to two sides closing their differences; but the SPLM needs to exercise maximum caution at this stage. The push is on both parties (SPLM & NCP) as confrontation could eventually lead to fragmentation of the country. The leaders from both camps know this very well. At the end after of it, there would be no winner or loser between them but the Sudanese people. CPA must be guarded.

We shouldn’t at this stage blame anyone. Throwing insult here and there to our leaders help us not at this situation. The gentleman called Pagan Amum becomes soft target and the a scapegoat; he suffered for our sake and if we mind we got to give him the space he needs to champion the cause of our struggle without mudslinging from his own people he wants to liberate. It’s just disheartening to find others who care less about the record of this young man. Maliciously, he has all along been enduring all manners of false frames aimed at his reputation and name. Mind you, this gentleman is his own man and a true example of what it’s to be a selfless and a revolutionary. He went to the bush when the SPLM/A wasn’t born or say when Garang and his team were still in the Sudanese Army and made his own contribution for Southern Sudan along with his colleagues such as late Apollo Nakurnyang and Nyachigak Nyashiluk.

Abandoning his Law career in a prestigious Khartoum University (at that time) and joined others (Anyanya II) is not a small matter. He later completed with distinction in Cuba. He has been standing behind his people for an interrupted 21 full years without crossing over to the enemy camp or takes refugee in another foreign land. What of his efforts after the death of Garang and the face he wears against Khartoum whenever the interest of Southern Sudan and other Marginalized is threaten? Look at the SPLM party under his watch, who could have done better than him in the party? There is nothing wrong in criticizing a leader when he deserves it but certainly something is wrong when it’s purely out to appease our ill motivated ego. They are human and they need our support when they are doing wrong or right. Forum for doing corrections are plenty and hence unfair to go world over and made fun of them.

Southern Sudan would not go anywhere if we pull each other down. The crisis at hand is enough where any distraction could worsen it and rendered the entire agreement tumbling. This is a moment we got to take maximum care of ourselves and work hand in hand with the Government in Juba. Perhaps something good might come out (inshallah) in the next few days/weeks, since both sides commit themselves to end their differences through dialogue.

The author is living in Southern Sudan; he could be reached on [email protected]