SSLF says South Sudan army will not be permitted to patrol the oil-fields

Southern Sudan has never had a proper government since the eruption of the second North-South civil-war in 1975. The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has been jeopardising the South Sudanese security since its inception in Jikang -Nuer territory 1983. This barbaric behaviour resulted in the defection of Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhur-gon, Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, Cdr Gordon Koang Chol and other senior military commanders from the so-called (SPLA/SPLM). The declaration this mutiny caused factional conflict and later diffused into serious tribal fighting in the region. The Nasir faction led by Dr Riek Machar, failed to remove the late Dr. John Garang from power because its leader refused to use maximum force against the (SPLA). Cdr Bol Kong and the late Cdr William Nyuon Bany who attempted to free the Central and Easter Equatoria from (SPLA), were given serious warning by their factional leader and also they were told to retreat to the Upper Nile Region. If these forces did not return to the Upper Nile, the Nasir faction could win the war militarily against the (SPLA) in 1992. In the year 2003, the two main rival factions called Nasir and Torit Factions reunified and integrated their forces and signed a partial Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the Government of Sudan (GOS) in 2005. The (CPA) they signed has been nationally and internally known invalid and its death is more beneficial to the marginalised groups in Sudan. Most of Sudanese have realised that the so-called (CPA) will soon result in semi third North-South civil-war which will claim the lives of innocent civilians in the country. As a consequence of signing of an exclusive North-South peace deal, many people have left Juba and other (SPLA/SPLM) ’s positions for Uganda, Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic in search of security. The political crisis between the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is not yet over. The (SPLA/SPLM) has fully allied itself with the Darfur rebel Movements in order to liquidate the current regime in Khartoum. Mr Pagan Amum, the Secretary-General of (SPLM), misinformed the public that the (SPLA/SPLM) has fully rejoined the so-called Government of National Unity (GONU). The South Sudanese Liberation Front (SSLF) would like to assure you that the (SPLM/SPLA) has partially rejoined the (GONU). Lt. Gen. Salfa Kir Mayardit, has already sent back his officers to Khartoum to collect intelligence for (SPLA/SPLM) and Darfur ’s rebel forces.

(a) Formation of the real (GOSS)

The government formed in the year 2005, was a Dinka government and not the true government of South Sudan. It is unwise or illegal to establish a regional government without Baka, Didinga, Toposa, Kuku, Murle, Boya, Madi, Lotuko, Acholi, Moro, Azande, Maban, Oduk, Kakowa, Pojulu, Lokoya, Nyangwara, Nuer, Anyuak, Bari, Mundari, and other ethnic communities. This marginalisation will not repeat itself in the future. The South Sudanese Liberation Front (SSLF) is demanding quick dissolution of the existing semi-government of South Sudan and establish a legal regional government. The real (GOSS) will not be formed by one party; it must created by all South Sudanese political forces, armed groups and religion organisations operating in South Sudan. It will be a suicidal to delay the abolition of the current brutal regime in Juba. It is not a time to talk; it is a time to implement the action plans.

To come to the central government of Sudan, the South Sudanese Liberation Front (SSLF) demands the inclusion of the excluded political forces, armed forces and religious organisation in the governance of Sudan. All the ministerial portfolios that have been allocated to the people of Southern Sudan must be divided among the political parties. Every South Sudanese must be allowed to work with / for any Central government’s Department. The 50% from the oil income and other revenues should be offered to the ruling party and the regional government must fund the opposition political organisations. The (SPLA/SPLM) is no longer to be called ruling party of Southern Sudan because it has lost its supporters and also has no intention to build the infrastructures in Southern Sudan.

(b) Reunification and integration of armed forces

All South Sudanese military forces operating in Southern Sudan should be reunited and integrated under new military title in order to secure the region. The (SPLA) has been paralyed and also it has got no where to go. It is a paramilitary organisation formed to hijack the peace agreements and terrify the civilian populations in Sudan. If the (SPLA) won’t agreement on the reunification of military forces then, it must be completely disbanded. No (SPLA) ’s soldier will be permitted to patrol the oil-field. Those who will attempt to walk around the field must be treated like gangsters. The (SPLA) troops are currently under semi-military training so it will be a big mistake to allow these trainees to operate separately in Southern Sudan.

(c) Mission statement of (UAFLSS)

To defend the civilian populations against the (SPLA) and liberate an entire South Sudan and its people from the so-called (SPLA/SPLM) and other threats through maximum military strike. Some of South Sudanese alleged that the (UAFLSS) has got enough troops in Southern Sudan. This was totally false. The (SSLF) would like to reaffirm that (UAFLSS) has got large number of armed forces. Briefly, any South Sudanese soldier who works day and night against (SPLA) and other lawless paramilitary forces, is a full member of (UAFLSS). A Part from that, 40% of the (SPLA) troops support the (SSLF/UAFLSS) and these forces are ready to defect to the newly established movement.

Police Force

The real (GOSS) must encourage the recruitment of more police officers to enforce the laws. The current Juba Faction (JF) ’s police force will be retrained to meet the national and international standard. The recruits must be trained by qualified trainers or people who defined the law and security. The (GOSS) must build many police academies in each state and equip the police force personnel.

(e) Legal and safe disarmament of civilians

After the true (GOSS) gained full security, then it will be the right time to approach all the armed civilians in Southern Sudan to surrender their weapons to the Department of police. The armed civilians must be given some (money) in return to their arms because they bought them from (SPLA) with their cattle. The unsafe disarmament masterminded by Cdr Wiyai Deng Ajack, Cdr George Athor, Cdr Bol Kong, Cdr Salfa Mathok, late, Cdr Wud-nyang and other murderers will not repeat itself.

(f) Demarcation of North-South boundaries

Sudan is the largest country in Africa which comprises 26 states. 10 from 26, are located in Southern Sudan. It includes Warap, Western Bahr-al-Ghazal, Northern Bahr –al-Ghazal, Lakes, Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei, Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, and Eastern Equatoria. To return to the point, the North-South boundaries must be marked. The demarcation of boundaries doesn’t means that South Sudan became an independent state. It helps the regional authorities to take full responsibilities of their territory. The North-South boundaries problem should be solved politically and not through military means. The Juba Faction (JF) has already delegated some of its authorities to inform the American Government and its allies to start the invasion of Sudan. This barbaric behaviour will not bring stability; it will deteriorate the security situation in Sudan.

(g) Self-Determination

The Self-termination for the South Sudanese citizens has been incorporated in the (SSLF/UAFLSS) ’s manifesto. The people of South Sudan will decide to vote for unity or separation. The Juba Faction (JF) under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Salfa Kir Mayardit, will never lead the people South Sudan toward the Self-termination because it has got no liberation strategies and it continue destabilising the country. Dr. Riek Machar, who attempted to secure the Self-Determination for the people of South Sudan, survived many assassinations and the (SPLA/SPLM) Dinkas continue hunting for him. He holds the position of vice presidency with no power. His power ended after the integration of Torit and Nasir Faction forces.

(h) SSLF ’s response to the killing

The (SPLA) which is predominately (Dinka), has resumed the killing of innocent people in Southern Sudan. 10 Equatorians have been killed by (SPLA) criminals and the other escaped with major injuries. It was very clear that the killing of the police officers is the resumption of Equatorian-Dinka conflict. The root cause of their conflict was that the Dinkas totally refused to return to their land and they want to keep on using Equatoria Region as grazing land. The Dinkas who have occupied the Equatoria indirectly renamed the Equatorians’ villages, schools, hospitals, counties, roads, air strips, bridges, rivers and others. They said they liberated Equatoria region from Khartoum forces. A part from the death of innocent police officers, many South Sudanese civilians have reportly been killed by armed Murle and their cattle were raided. There is no doubt that Central Equatoria is the biggest breading site for Juba Faction’s criminals. In response to the killing of innocent people in Southern Sudan, the (SSLF) is urgently recalling on all South Sudanese military forces and paramilitary forces that defy the (SPLA) to unite and topple the lawless regime in Juba. At least 15 thousands troops should arrive in Central Equatoria before the end of the year to rescue the civilians and secure the release of people who were illegally detained or jailed by (JF) ’s authorities. There is no doubt that South Sudan will be like Palestine and Somalia in the near future and the newly formed rebel movement will win against the Juba Faction (JF) politically and militarily.

The Struggle will continue!!

Yien Lam Tot

Former Secretary for External Affairs of (SSUDA); and

Chairman of South Sudanese Liberation Front (SSLF)

Eastern Equatoria, Southern Sudan

[email protected]