SPLM figure dismisses allegations of Israeli role in South Sudan
November 17, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Secretary General of Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Pagan Amum dismissed claims by an Islamist figure who said that Israel has a heavy presence in Southern Sudan.
Mekki said that Israel aims to build relationships and connections in the region. He also stressed that “the mood in South Sudan is pro-unity and there are many indications supporting unity”.
But Amum refuted Mekki’s allegations describing them as “malicious” and “baseless” and said that they come from people “whose minds full of conspiracy theories”.
“The people of South Sudan have been subject to injustice and their struggle [Southerners] is an internal one for the sake of freedom and equality” Amum said.
“It is lack of justice and equality that is the danger on unity between North and South” the SPLM figure added.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between North and South in 2005 provided for a referendum in 2011 for Southerners to determine if they want to secede.
Amum further said that if South Sudan citizens were to hold a referendum today they will vote for secession.
“If 90% of Southerners are surveyed they will vote for separation. The SPLM is working within the framework of the CPA that wants to make unity attractive” he said.
“However there are reasons making the largest percentage of public opinion call for separation which is a result of the past failures. It is also the feeling that there is an absence of an idea for a Sudanese state that could accommodate all citizens” the Southern figure said.
Some Southern figures are suspicious that the North will not allow them to become a separate state even if the referendum results vote for secession.
Last October Somali pirates hijacked a ship reported to be carrying tanks and military equipment destined for South Sudan,
A Sudanese expert with close ties to the SPLM government told the BBC at the time that military build-up by the South was to deter conflict, not trigger it: “The south is preparing for the worst but expecting the best”.
“It’s not in the south’s interests to have another war but if you want peace you have to prepare for war” he said.
(ST)
Dihimingiro
SPLM figure dismisses allegations of Israeli role in South Sudan
I would like to highly applaud Secretary Amun’s usual brave stances on many conspiracies cooked by the NCP/NIF operatives. My question is; what if Israel has a heavy presence in Southern Sudan? What’s wrong with Israelis being anywhere in the world or in Southern Sudan in particular? I’m very aware of the religious-based restrictions and punishment that the Islamic Sudanese government in the North imposes on all her citizens visiting Israel, but should this very government extend these ludicrous policies on the Christian people and autonomous region of Southern Sudan? How is this practically compatible? Who is complaining about the presence of thousands of Chinese and Russians roaming around in Northern Sudan, in the name of economic development?
I won’t be naïve to believe that their (Chinese & Russian) heavy presence in the Northern Sudan is for the interest of Southern Sudan or even the Sudanese people in general. These folks are in Sudan for one reason: OIL. They don’t care for a moment, what the weapons they trade for OIL with Sudanese Government would do to the Sudanese civillians in north, South, Central, West and East. They don’t care about the (very poor) quality of the roads and buildings they build for Sudan. All they care is the oil that their respective hungry and thirsty economies need to keep the Western dominant economies on their toes.
I consider myself a very rational/objective person and I have to say that I’m not happy with most of the military, economic and political measures that Israeli Governments impose on the Palestinian people. I think the Palestinian people rightfully have a reason to claim their land that seems to shrink everyone year, thanks to the Israeli bullyboy tactics of land occupation, while it enjoys the political, military and economic protection of the mighty US and Europe. But I also feel that the Palestinian people have not only been outmuscled but also made the situations worse by themselves. Their internal wrangling and adoption of terrorist activities have helped Israel made/prove their point.
If the northerners (especially the political epicentre within the NCP/NIF) are really up for the new game (in the shape of New United Sudan), then it’s paramount that they equally renounce these outdated religious-based policies and embrace the new dawn and the politics of the 21st Century. Instead of seeing Israelis [and potentially Southern Sudanese] as their eternal enemies, they must seek peaceful co-existence with them and preach values of religious tolerance, respect for democracy, human rights, global citizenship and above bringing about economic justice and prosperity amongst ALL the Sudanese people.
As for Southern Sudanese, well, there’s a lot that needs doing my friends, starting with realising real UNITY OF PURPOSE amongst ALL the different tribes in South Sudan BEFORE 2011. The current structure of GoSS and the way it conducts its business, which is almost entirely on tribal basis, NEEDS an URGENT overhaul. The ever-pending issue of IDPs, the on-going land grabbing and naming of places with non-native names are the very sensitive issues that GoSS should have prioritized right at the dawn of GoSS’s birth.
Since there is not much time left before 2011, the above action points must be done almost simultaneously but as skilfully and carefully as possible. The selective intervention strategies that GoSS leadership currently seems to prefer to adopt are, if anything very divisive. If President Salva Kiir could attend a peace meeting between two warring Dinka clans, why can’t he also attend and preside over or even initiate peace meetings between other warring non-Dinka tribes in Southern Sudan? Isn’t the supposed to be the President of all the people? By the way, I won’t be also naïve to believe that Salva Kiir only attended that meeting (between two warring Dinka clans) simple because he is the son of the area, as some buffoons tried to fool/convince people.
Last but not least, I would like to point to Secretary Amun using his own words that, “it is lack of justice and equality [in Southern Sudan] that is the danger on unity between” Southern Sudanese.
All comments are welcome!
Dihimingiro
Akol Liai Mager
SPLM figure dismisses allegations of Israeli role in South Sudan
“Dr Mekki was quoted as saying during a forum in Cairo” that sounds strange! And what about Israel Embassy in Cairo? What’s Dr Mekki position about Jordon, Catar and Muritania relationships with Israel? Even King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia has invited Israel to Religious Dialogue forum last week in New York what do Mekki say about that? Are Islam and Arab were born in Southern Sudan? Are Sudanese more Arabs and Muslims than Saudi Arabia and Jordon?
If Dr Mekki have no answers to above questions then Juba have right to host Israel Embassy and King David Flag flying on Cairo can also fly over Juba.
I am sure Dr Mekki claim will spark Juba offering a ground for Tel Aviv Embassy. Lets wait and see.