SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
By James Gatdet Dak
October 11, 2009 (JUBA) – The two major partners in the Sudan’s Government of National Unity and signatories to the 2005’s North-South peace deal, which ended 21 years of war, have resumed the heated debates on formulation of Southern Sudan referendum law.
The Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, who also chairs the SPLM Executive Political Committee, charged with implementing the CPA, left Juba for the national capital, Khartoum, on Sunday.
He will hold talks with the NCP’s committee led by the Vice President of Sudan, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, who also chairs the NCP’s component of the Joint Executive Political Committee.
The two parties are deadlocked particularly on the percentage of registered voters required to declare Southern Sudan an independent country. The SPLM has proposed 51% while the NCP proposed 75%.
On the registered voters’ general turnout, which is a different requirement, the SPLM has proposed 50% while the NCP demands 90%.
In his earlier briefing to the Southern Sudan’s Council of Ministers on the stalemate, Dr. Machar said that the NCP’s committee debaters had indicated they might accept a simple majority of 51% votes, in favor of separation, to declare Southern Sudan independent, but demanded that 90% of all the registered voters must come out and vote on referendum day in order to recognize the validity such an exercise.
This 90% is a more demanding shift from the NCP’s previous position of 75%, which the SPLM also rejected.
There are also disputed post-referendum issues including discussions on what to do with the liabilities (debts), assets, waters, Joint Integrated Units (JIU’s), oil, currency and international agreements in case the South would vote for separation.
The SPLM wants such post-referendum issues to be discussed in a separate forum outside the referendum bill while the NCP wants them included in the bill.
The two parties should not only discuss what would happen to the post-referendum issues if the South chooses independence, Machar explained, adding that they would also discuss how Sudan needs to look like incase the South would vote for unity.
He explained that such a post-referendum united Sudan would need re-structuring of the Sudanese state itself, saying all these issues would be discussed outside the referendum bill.
The Speaker of the Khartoum-based National Assembly, Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Tahir last week threatened to table a draft bill of the referendum law, voicing frustration with failure of the two parties to reach an agreement on draft bill.
He also vowed previously that his parliament would not facilitate secession of Southern Sudan by law.
Al-Tahir while addressing the opening of the final session of the Sudanese parliament before the April 2010 elections said that the parliament “has run out of patience” with the long dragging dispute over the laws.
The NCP figure added that the Legislative Assembly is empowered to bypass the executive branch and the Joint Executive Political Committee of both parties and craft its own version of the referendum bill.
However, the head of the SPLM Caucus in the National Assembly, Yasir Arman, slammed Al-Tahir’s remarks threatening to work against any such move.
“The parliament has no right to resolve the referendum issue in that manner,” he told reporters.
Arman also reiterated the SPLM’s rejection to the National Security law, warning that any attempts to pass it will “create a crisis.”
Southern Sudan is scheduled to vote in the referendum in January 2011 in accordance with the 2005 peace deal to either choose to confirm the current unity of the Sudan or create an independent country in the South.
(ST)
thieleling
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
Thanks Dr. Riek Machar for excellence strategic vision on self-determination & for trying to move forward a difficult negotiation of its Referendum Laws. No reverse-gears on that!!
In order to carry out the election successfully in April, 2010, the national security laws have to be re-appealed sooner than later. SPLM as a party has to be promptly on the election schedule. No election, no referendum unless it is a unilateral declaration which amounts to declaration of war as we know it.
Dr. Chui
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
Dear readers
As the hot topic of referendum law debate resumed. I huge for Dr. Riak to have open mind in dealing with percetile calculation of this proposals.
There are both importances of self-determination and the united Sudan but decision on this issues needs proper agreement among all the Southerners. It depend you whether to choose Unity or Separation.
It is His Duty as the Vice P and Gov of Goss to prepare for enactment of Secutity laws before time runout. Mind you brothers, Dr. Riak can not do anything posible without your support and contribution in the GoSS during the upcoming election. Your Vote will count and your numbers will determine your needs. Census results may not be altered in any case!
How many are you? Are preserving your numbers?
Dr. Chui
thomas
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
You never know… There are lot of unionists is Southern Sudan. Don’t forget also that this was the vision of the late Diktor John, and the continuing policy of the SPLM/A. This issue is more complicated than we might think. The authority on this entire entire is of course what Dr. John Garang said and wrote regarding his vision of a “New Sudan”.
As for what Northerners (or Arabs as you say) want; If Northerners were so anxious to separate from us, I doubt countless governments would have invested so much resources for so many decades, sacrificed so many of your sons’ blood (and even more Darfuri blood) in the South. We all know what it is: oil, resources, power, validation for ideals of Arab supremacy). You’ve been fed so well on our blood for the last half century (just compare Khartoum, Darfur, Eastern Sudan, & Southern Sudan: we all know who is the parasite), have some gratitude, some humility, some shame.
Junibin, this is the same mentality that Europeans and Americans also have when they complain about Africans and African-Americans living with them. Europe is rich today because they robbed Africans of their wealth. America is rich because they robbed Africans of their labour. And then they complain, they still complain my brothers and sisters- while we are still suffering their actions. Have you no shame? Do Ngun?
Dinka Boy
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
To DR Riek Machar Teny,
Criminal Bashier can not be trust by Southerners 100%. He have 3 vice-presidents in the country.He want to manipulate CPA in his own way by arming Southerners to killed each other. Mr Vp we want to stick with 51% to be the must for independent South.We are very proud of Southern Sudan beyond reasonable doubt and if confusion come up then it will smell nasty.
I hope you are proud Southerner too who like to worked for the interest of Southern Sudanese as whole. We can not afford being fools again like in 1972 and like what Dr Lam Akol did to you in August 28, 1991.
My advise to you (Riek) was that being used against your Southerners is immoral standard.
Dr Riek will worked like James Hoth, Bol Koang leave alone Matip Nhial who came from Cattle Buma in Bull village.
Also i hate seeing the same pictures over and over again post on the web.
Thanks
Gatwech
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
51% vs 75% and 50% vs 90%,
It looks like the two parties may reach a breakthrough on both the percentage of the turnout and that of declaring the South independent. If the NCP can truly accept 51% vote to declare the South independent, then the SPLM should also move up from its demand of only 50% general turnout.
I believe the NCP demands high turnout of voters to recognize the referendum, hoping that it will create insecurity in the South that will prevent such a percentage to turnout in many counties. But the SPLM should also work hard to make sure that such a percentage has to turnout and vote on referendum day.
Gatwech
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
Well, it seems like you wanted to say Riek Machar did not contribute any thing to the South. That Riek Machar and others were used by Arabs. That Paulino Matip’s post is an empty envelope and that he is not supposed to be respected.
Every body except your type doesn’t know what Machar has greatly contributed simply because of tribal hatred. You envy his achievements. Even this article we comment under can teach you what he has been contributing. Khartoum Peace Agreement was the origin of the CPA. Through it Riek Machar ate under the same table with Al-Bashir. But wait a minute, did Garang not eat together with the Arab Al-Bashir before his death? Is Salva Kiir not eating with the same Arab now?
Paulino Matip’s position? Well, he has brought you forces. The SPLA proper had 33,000 soldiers but Paulino Matip has 51,000 soldiers. These were combined in 2006 Juba declaration and made up the overall force of the SPLA. These are the real forces besides the ghost names eaten by commanders.
So, what do you think can happen if Salva Kiir resigns? Who would be the SPLA Commander-in-Chief? May be Riek Machar or Paulino Matip, right? Have you ever asked yourself that scary question, dude?
peter gatdet
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
Dinkas r one usually struggling for our benefit.
MR President Salva Kiir,if u want southerners to achieve their self determination then u should v to delegate Dinkas for such negotiation becuase the r rigid to be brive but we as Nuer community,we r instable mentally.
So Dr Riek Machar will be blindfooled by NCP like what the had done to him in 1997 and he is a well drunkard of ofume(bank), he used to take it at working hrs and this might make him agreed what he don’t know like what had happened to him in 1991 and 1997.
Daniel DENG
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
Mr.Gatwech,Dinka boy
I don’t which direction you are heading? We better encourage ourselves toward what can unit our innocent communities. What kind of person are you and what is your future vision? ? .
Stop attacking the leaders of now a day !.. It doesn’t a matter who suppose to negotiate referendum bill ,but the problem is how to unite our community those who will vote .You guys you have to promote peace amongst than we shall have our so long awaited country. This is my only advice
Kindest regards,
Daniel DENG
nyok k daw majok
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
Dr Riek Macher keep it up that one is great because we know the rule for election which is people vote to choose one of option . referendum law
51 is greater nummber then 49 main that 51 is majority winning ,but other way goverment of south will declare southern sudan independent country .
Time1
SPLM and NCP resume debates on referendum law
How long will it take for this referendum law to be agreed and passed in the constitution, NCP stop wasting our time, how many month do you need to think and what is it that you are thinking about, the whole issue is out ther and everybody know about it. please just pass the referendum law and stop beating about the bush.