Leader of UDSF accuses SPLM of dividing South Sudan forces
April 7, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — The United Democratic Salvation Front (UDSF) lashed out at the Sudan Liberation People Movement (SPLM) accusing it of dismantling southern Sudanese political forces in order to dominate the South.
Joseph Malual, the chairman of the UDSF, in a press conference held in Khartoum, accused the SPLM of supporting a splinter faction led by the southern Sudan minister of information, Gabriel Changson Chang.
Malual pointed out that the SPLM has to create a stable political climate in the south of Sudan, implement the decisions of the South-South dialogue including the promotion of public freedoms, push the issues of democratic transition and recognize the multi-party system in the South.
Juba faction wrapped up its convention last Sunday and elected minister Chang as chairman and Albino Akol Akol, who is GOSS Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports, as Secretary General.
The leader of the mainstream further asked the SPLM to return the ministerial positions granted to his party and now occupied by representatives of other political parties in reference to the faction led by Chang.
UDSF party was founded after the 1997 Khartoum Peace Agreement by the current Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
It became the first legally established political party by former Southern Sudanese rebel fighters since 1983 with its main objective of pursuing the right to self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan in addition to democratization of governance system among others.
After the Khartoum peace deal was finally dishonored by former Sudan government under the current President Omer al-Bashir, the former Party’s Chairman and signatory to the peace deal, Riek Machar, decided to return back to the bush leaving the Party in Khartoum with the rest of its leadership.
The Party afterwards split into two with its main stream until recently led by Dr. Joseph Malual – currently a minister in the Government of National Unity.
The other part of it, which became United Democratic Front (UDF) and also calls for total independence of Southern Sudan, has been led by Peter Abdel Rahaman Sule.
(ST)