SPLM’s Amum:US Winter is not an adviser of South Sudan govt

May 26, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Pagan Amum, the Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, denied reports published in Khartoum saying that the former US envoy to Sudan, Roger Winter is appointed as special adviser for Southern Sudan government.

Speaking at a talk show in the Sudan TV on Monday evening, Pagan said that Winter is a close friend to the SPLM since long time and he helped the party during the national struggle period. However, he added that press advertisement over the relation of the former US official means to discredit his party.

The Sudanese press reported in the past that Winter advised the SPLM withdrawal from the national unity government last year.

Amum said that it is a” vicious campaign” carried against the SPLM because it wants to show that the success of the party is due to foreigners and the SPLM is manipulated by foreign hands.

In an interview with the Arabic Language Akhbar Al-Youm, during his participation in the SPLM Second Convention in Juba last week in Juba, Roger Winter said he serves as adviser to the Southern Sudan government on a volunteer basis.

Pagan hailed efforts and services done by the former Special Representative of the Deputy Secretary of State for Sudan to the SPLM. He cited what former official had done to advertise the cause of the Nuba in southern Kordofan and to the case of Beja in eastern Sudan at the time when the area was under the control of the joint forces of the Sudanese opposition.

He also said that Winter had lobbied the cause of the SPLM in the United States and its project for a New Sudan.

(ST)