Is President Kiir against CPA?
By Zechariah Manyok Biar
November 3, 2009 — The President of the Government of South Sudan (GoSS), General Salva Kiir Mayardit caused a storm of angry reactions from the National Congress Party (NCP) officials on November 1, 2009, when he urged Southern Sudanese to vote for independence in the 2011 referendum so that they avoid being treated like “second class citizens” in a unified Sudan. According to Sudan Tribune report, Mandoor Al-Mahdi of NCP leadership council said that Kiir’s remarks amounted to “backtracking on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)”. Al-Mahdi thinks that Kiir’s remark is inappropriate for someone who works in the Sudanese presidency. Sudanese presidential adviser Mustafa Ismail even doubted the accuracy of the remarks attributed to President Kiir.
Other Northern opposition parties like National Umma Party bemoaned Kiir’s remarks, as expressed by its Secretary General Sideeg Ismail, by regretting that Kiir “favored the choice of separation over unity.”
Those who have different understanding of Kiir’s position are Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur and Darfur Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), who believe that Kiir’s remark is the result of NCP’s “foot dragging” and “delaying tactics” regarding CPA’s implementation.
Even though SPLM refuted later on that Kiir’s remarks were taken out of context, NCP’s reaction to the remarks has raised very interesting questions that I will deal with in series of articles in the coming weeks. I will examine the idea behind the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the spirit of its implementation. I will point out some contradictions that are threatening the spirit of both CPA and the unity of Sudan.
Under the agreed upon principles of CPA, principle 1.5.5 mentions that CPA partners “Design and implement the Peace Agreement so as to make the unity of the Sudan an attractive option especially to the people of South Sudan.” This may mean that the NCP and the SPLM would do everything they can to win the hearts of Southerners to vote for unity of Sudan in 2011.
However, principle 1.1 makes it clear that the “unity of the Sudan, based on the free will of its people democratic governance, accountability, equality, respect, and justice for all citizens of the Sudan is and shall be the priority of the Parties and that it is possible to redress the grievances of the people of South Sudan and to meet their aspirations within such a framework.”
This principle does not make any suggestion about the need for cohesive unity of Sudan by any party. If President Kiir is wrong in telling South Sudanese that they should vote for separation to avoid being treated as second class citizens in the united Sudan, then the Speaker of Sudan parliament, who is from NCP, was wrong when he said that his understanding of CPA was for the two parties to make separation difficult. The Speaker’s position is for unity of Sudan as President Kiir’s position is for separation of South Sudan. None of the two positions may apply to the will of the people of South Sudan as per the above mentioned CPA principle. But the fact is that President Kiir’s position in favor of separation of South Sudan is preceded by the NCP’s position of making separation difficult.
Making peace attractive means the winning of people’s hearts through democratic governance, accountability, equality, respect, and justice for all citizens of the Sudan as shown in principle 1.1 of CPA. A lack of the above mentioned elements means that unity is not made attractive in Sudan. It does not matter who says what to the people of South Sudan, they know what they want to choose.
The idea about Sudan’s unity that NCP has is based on the notion that the laws that make separation difficult or the rigging of South Sudan people’s choice would make Sudan’s unity attractive. This position contradicts democratic governance, accountability, equality, respect, and justice for all citizens of the Sudan.
Some days ago, I urged SPLM not to boycott parliamentary sessions, not because SPLM is not frustrated by the rigidity of NCP in changing laws that threaten freedom and good governance in Sudan, but because I want the parliamentary debate to give us more reasons on why we should separate from the North.
Wrong laws were part of the reasons for the North-South civil war. If NCP is still forcing people to abide by the same oppressive laws, then why should one think that President Kiir was wrong in saying that South Sudanese should vote for separation to avoid being treated as second class citizens in the united Sudan as it was in the past?
There is no freedom where law wrongly dictates issues. We know that. Political Philosopher Rousseau says that law is the beginning of liberty whereby people act in conformity with self-imposed law. Rousseau believes that laws are legitimate only if everyone has a direct share in making them. This means that freedom of the citizens is taking active role in the determination of the laws of one’s own community.
Even though John Locke believes that the direct involvement of the citizens in making laws is a secondary good, he still thinks that laws must be applied by impartial judges, which is also missing in the current system of Sudan. Locke’s position is that the voice of the citizens is communicated through their representatives in parliament. But if a dominant party like NCP uses its majority number of Members of Parliament to maintain the wrong laws that caused the North-South war, then what is the evidence in their intention to make unity attractive in Sudan?
NCP needs to think about what the spirit of CPA means before condemning anybody who is frustrated with the lack of the implementation of CPA. The grievances of the people of South Sudan and their aspirations within the above framework are not addressed yet.
My next article will be about the implication of Sharia Law for the unity of Sudan.
Zechariah Manyok Biar is a graduate student at Abilene Christian University, Texas, USA. He is pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and a Master of Science in Social Work, specializing in Administration and Planning. For comments, contact him at email: [email protected]
Lado
Is President Kiir against CPA?
Tut Gatwech,
Did you actually read what Door wrote? How come that he can fuck the pussy you where born?
I can’t tolerate it. You need to be respectful to people on the website otherwise people will write bad stuffs about you. You must have done something bad to this guy given your Nuer-narrow-mindedness.
Respect and act wisely or else the guy will write worst about you. I know Nuer chaotic manners would be difficult for you to overcome as you interact with others but you must adjust.
It is weird that someone can fuck your ass and fuck your mum pussy which you were born. Is that what you want?
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Is President Kiir against CPA?
Mr Bair, are you asking a question or your dreaming. If Kiir is talking about unity makes South like second class citizen, and the choice is for Southerners whether go second class live or go freedom and rights. Now what do you understand from this quote? Do you think if Kiir goes unity will he get a chance of consuming $ 200m with his mongrels? the answer is no. CPA has been delaying for years and the little that has been given to South all goes Kiir’s pockets plus his dinkas minsiters. Even those of Riek and Igga plus Amum feeds on their own, they never see the value of shares, it is only Kiir and his dinkas ministers who sits in the middle of $ billions shares from norther. For the fact, Kkir feeds on the back of nuer, the nuer clould have the rights to consume these share because all the oil in Upper nile is part of nuer not dinkas criminal who run after food and money. Riek should have been the right person to act on the share not dictator Kiir. This is how i identify that Kiir is turning nuer into slavery while he want to occupy Equatoria land with Dinkas. This are his dream goals.
A concern citizen should contact me at [email protected]
Oracle
Is President Kiir against CPA?
The President is not against the CPA. Politics is a bad game and it is starting to look like Kiir is not on his toes about what he and his advisors think is important. Who cares what NCP says about the tactics being used. The main thing we know is that all smart South Sudanese will vote for independence and then we will properly hold the government accountable. Their incompetence will have no scapegoat after 2011.
Akol Liai Mager
Is President Kiir against CPA?
Thanks Manyok,
You must have had a very good point if you were not addressing the audiences that include NIF, UMMA, Arab Ba`ath and DUP Sectarian Parties’ supporters.
Your revisit of the CPA is absolutely fabulous; especially the contents and perceptions on what should make Unity attractive.
The only problem of Sudan now is the National Islamic Front’s Junta (NIF/J). The present of power in the hands of NIF/J makes unity unattractive. Why? Reference No 1. NIF cheated Nimery that he will be made King if he takes NIF, then Islamic Charter’s leader advices to introduce Islamic Shai`a Laws. Reference No. 2. NIF ploted against Kokodam Declaration, Umbo Recommendations, and finally sold the country to its new partners the NIF Military Junta, the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC). Each member of the RCC was given “Seven Millions Sudanese Pound” on spot and in advance as Bonus for the Coup.
The motives for NIF/RCC were that: One, to spoil 1988 Garang-Merghani Peace Initiative, two to establish an Islamic Arab State, three, to crush SPLM/A militarily and four, to Islamise Southerners by force, and if they cannot be defeated, let the South go, but not peacfully.
Dear Manyok, if you agree with me that the above mentioned NIF/J Motives are there, then the present of this NIF/J government is making Unity of Sudan more disattractive.
So, NIF leaders have already separated North Sudan from rest of the country and their current position is an attempt to bury the truth in the sand.
To come back to the elements written in the CPA about making unity attractive, I just want to add not to the CPA of course, but to CPA out side influencial factors regarding what should make unity attractive.
Out side CPA Influencial Factors:
1. Conducting general elections at federal and State levels in a peacful atmosphere, and I don’t want to ellaborate on what’s “peaceful atmosphere is.”
2. If the Sudanese people, especially Northerners vote for the government that will conduct a fundamental radical changes, I meant a government that will cancell all divisive laws such as Islamic Shari`a and Arabisation Program, that pave the way for attractive unity.
3. SPLM leaders; especially Kiir Mayardit and Pagan Amum need to engage with the Northern Sudanese masses, get into productive dialogue, that should have been done in the first three years of GoNU. I know NIF was not going to allow that, but SPLM would have a genuine reason to convince Northern Unionists.
my view about the current crisis between CPA partners, is that pushing ahead with patience and tolerance is a wise move. Those threats here and there, Unilateral Declaration of Independence and the use of military force in NIF/J agenda will not benefit anyone; especially Southern Sudan.
Facts: 1. NIF came to power to disintegrate the country, and what they are doing now is a run away from responsibility. 2. Separation of the South through Ballot power sends a strong message to the Northern separatists and unionists alike.
Those northerners who kept complaining every now and then, that they have been deprived of their rights to vote in 2011 referendum, my message to them is that:
1. Southerners said yes for the unity of Sudan at Rajab 1947 Conference, they said yes, again for unity at 12 Round-Table of 1964, Southerners said yes again for unity in Addis Ababa 1972, they said yes for unity in 1983 through SPLM New Sudan Vision, and now they have one more, and a 2nd in a row to say “yes or no” for the unity of Sudan, despite the fact that I don’t favour Separation, I am afraid the majority of Southern Sudanese will say “No” for the unity in 2011.
2. Northerners have said No for the unity of Sudan in 1958 the start of Ethnic-Cleansing in the South through Abbuod, they said no to the unity in 1983 when the divisive laws, the Islamic Shai`a that categories and classify people were introduced, they said no to the unity on the 30/06/1989 when the current NIF/J scrapped Garang-Merghani Peace deal, Northerners said no for unity in Addis baba, Abuja 1 & 2, yet they said no at Naivasha (CPA) by re-enforcing NIF-Nimery Shari`a Laws.
3. Northerners have been given a golden chance to again say big “No” for the unity of Sudan in 2010 general elections just before Southerners in 2011 which is must anticipated for Southerners to say no for the unity of Sudan for the first time ever.
Making Unity attractive is a full responsibilty of Northern Sudanese and the NIF leaders to accept people will if they vote for change and conceed defeat in 2010 elections, or revoke Al Bashir candidancy and rally behind SPLM Presidential Candidate as a bid for unity.