Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
March 3, 2009 (JUBA) — The Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, Salva Kiir Mayardit, issued a statement ahead of the court announcement Wednesday on the warrant for Sudan’s president, voicing support for Al-Bashir yet urging calm and stability.
In his role as SPLM chairman, Kiir is a partner with Al-Bashir’s ruling party, the National Congress (NCP). He has been first vice president of the country since shortly after the 2005 peace agreement was signed between the Sudan government and the SPLM.
“This matter may hang on for sometime but it certainly will not mean the end of our country, the Sudan or government. We must move beyond tomorrow. And we will move beyond tomorrow. This episode should not be viewed as a crisis but as an opportunity to consolidate peace, justice and stability in our country,” wrote Kiir.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times the same day, Kiir said that it is not his business whether Al-Bashir deserves to be prosecuted for war crimes and genocide in Darfur. Backing the accused leader, he added “He is the president. He is my president. He has all the immunity of any president. So if the ICC thinks it’s easy to take him to court, we will see what is the formula and process for taking a president to court.”
RESPONSE TO FEARS OF BACKLASH
Vice President Kiir added in his official statement that law enforcement agencies will provide protection to foreigners living in Sudan in the wake of the announcement.
Some observers have made dire warnings about the future of the two UN missions in Sudan in the wake of the potential indictment, as well as the humanitarian operations, due to backlash from the government or uncontrollable “outlaws.”
Others fear that the fragile political processes that there are would break down or become even more overloaded.
“We must continue facilitating the peace keeping missions of the United Nations, the African Union and all the humanitarian agencies,” he said.
Demonstrations will occur Wednesday as part of the reaction to the indictment, Kiir warned. He furthermore instructed SPLM members and other citizens not to take part in the demonstrations, saying they may intimidate other citizens and frustrate efforts to resolve the issue.
Addressing his comrades in the SPLM, the Chairman argued that resolving the Darfur conflict would require cooperation between SPLM and NCP. He moreover noted that the peace agreement of 2005 could collapse and therefore requested international support for “maintaining peace and supporting post-conflict reconstruction in the Sudan.”
However, Kiir also told the Los Angeles Times, “I’m a soldier. I’m prepared,” in response to a question whether he was military prepared for possible violence.
In a separate portion of the text addressed to the National Congress Party, the southern leader referred to the accused Sudanese president as “Brother Bashir.” He described “These charges will profoundly affect any human being no matter whether they are well founded or not. It is therefore heartening that Brother Bashir has borne this burden with fortitude.”
Kiir trusted that the Sudanese president would handle the decision with “statesmanship” and he appealed to Sudanese to give him support.
The SPLM Political Bureau is convened in Juba.
(ST)
kuduhal
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
General kiir iam so sick of dressing up Mr president with protections and words of honour.there is saying which said that don’t bother to remove a big misfortunate from your brother’s eyes before you mine of yours.
President bashir is not too young enought to be defended and i urge you to laid your hands off against his shoulder.
MA Minus Opportunity.
Koja Rubi
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
Thanks Mr. 1st Vice President of Sudan(Kiir) for the call for calm. It is good that you should be the first to be calm but remember; being calm should not translate into cowardice !!!!! You have to be very careful because Khartoum is most likely to use this crisis as the bases for abrogating the CPA. Get prepared to defend us in the South Sudan for we have enemies of peace from within the South.
Gatwech
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
Dear President Salva Kiir,
I do agree with some of your statements but disagree with some of them. Yes, I agree that the arrest warrant if issued may affect the CPA. Bashir will resist the arrest and may fight against whoever he thinks could help the ICC arrest him. But why didn’t you see the same complications in recent Malakal incident when you emotionally issued arrest for General Tang Ginye which resulted to death of 57 people. In the case of Bashir you fear his arrest would cause war, but with Tang Ginye, you fail to see that he would cause fighting in the South. This is hypocrisy! If not only that the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly is so weak, tribally motivated and minding only about their salaries, they should question you on that disasterous and unprepared order to arrest among civilians.
Also you say you want to save the CPA. How could you implement the CPA when you have abandoned the institution of ‘Presidency’ in Khartoum which was created to handle issues of CPA? If you support Bashir, you would have been with him in Khartoum by Wednesday so that you comfort him and make sure that he doesn’t decide bad decisions in his reaction to the ICC announcement to arrest him. But because you seem or you are a coward, you want to distance yourself from Khartoum and leave Bashir and Osman to decide whatever in Khartoum.
Please act like a leader, have courage, learn to provide quality leadership, and don’t distance yourself from the Presidency where decisions are made. Your office is said to be occupied by Ali Osman Taha who sign things on your behalf in the Palace. Did the SPLM/A fight in the Naivasha peace talks to get the First President position only to abandon it to NCP? What a shame!
Lodule
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
H.E. Excellency Salva Kiir has the credentials for his Presidency and deserves appreciation and support at this very critical moment. He spoked boldly like any other leader and surely Sutherners will rally behine him and await for any premonition looming ahead of Bashir’s indictment.Southerners has nothing to do with Bashir’s ICC case,though there might arise some repacation in the region,but Bashir has to stand on his own feet to face the ICC case.
H.E. Salva Kiir’s speech sounded reasonably.Thanks for alerting southerners on this situation and Bashir should beware that the Southern autonomous government is on high alert for self defence incase of any misbehaviour from his govenrment. Watch out Southern Leaders and give support for H.E. Salva Kiir. “He who laughs last always think the slowest”.
Garang
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
Dear Mr President
i am greately impressed but also deeply frustrated about your speech. I agree with the fact that we need to stay calm, but are we going to see calmness in khartoum upon declaration of Bashire’s arrest warrant? definatley not. your speech would probably make more sense to the southeners if you actually mean the opposit of what you said. Bashire had already declare to dissolve CPA, planned to resist ICC move, and he is undoubtely responsiblel for over 2 millions death of the southenrs and thousands of Darfurians, so why would you waste time trying to cover his charges. I think if not politics wise, you are probably outraging southerners and the western world?. you need to set your hands off Al Bashire and his so called NCP, national criminal party to face icc charges at their own expense.
Please my president, i need your to alarm our SPLA soldiers of the potential danger ahead.
thanks
tayeb M. Alhassan
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
Thank you Mr. VP for your pre-alert
Dengtaath
Sudan’s SPLM chairman urges calm on eve of ICC decision on Bashir
To my fellows Southern Sudanese
The president of GOSS Mr. Mayardit has no word to say in this doom day rather he can comport the president of the republic and urge calm as well to the general public.
I know we have right to criticise our government but always your critism must be constructive, what would one must do suppose you are Salva or like any one in the Government position? I believe you would assume the same role comporting president and calming down Sudanese not to fight because of indictment warrant.
God bless