Anger, protests sparked in South Sudan towns over politicians’ arrest

By Philip Thon Aleu

December 7, 2009 (BOR) – Southern Sudanese received news of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) leaders’ detention with disbelief on Monday, igniting extensive protests in southern towns including Bor.

SPLM supporters in Wau reportedly burnt and in Rumbek damaged offices of the National Congress Party (NCP) of President Omar Bashir. In Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, police stopped supporters of SPLM from completing their demonstration. The police believed that the demonstration may have led to violence, despite claims from organizers that it was peaceful. A truck carrying SPLM supports in Bor remains in police custody by press time.

The demonstrations in the South were triggered by detention of SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum and his deputy for northern sector Yasir Arman. Arman, a senior member of SPLM, scuffled with police outside the National Assembly and was driven away to a police station, a Reuters witness said. The politicians were released later on Monday.

The SPLM joined in a power-sharing unity government in 2005 following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended years of conflicts mainly between Khartoum-based governments and people in other regions of the Sudan. Tension between SPLM and NCP, the major partners in the peace accord, has mounted in recent months as a gap widens over changes in security laws ahead of next year’s general elections.

The bulk of the opposition parties signed up to take part in the rally includes those signatories to the Juba Declaration last September, which took place at a conference hosted by SPLM. The parties are protesting the delay in passing crucial laws including the national security and referendum bills. A memorandum is set to be delivered to the national assembly.

‘TURNING POINT’

Following the arrest of SPLM leaders including Pagan Amum, many people in the South say the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is nearing an end.

“Pagan Amum arrested?” a pedestrian watching SPLM protestors chanting slogan of ‘SPLM Oyee’ reacted angrily. People in the South believe that the NCP and SPLM can disagree but they are averse to intimidating opponents through arrest.

“This is the turning point and end of the CPA,” a protestor on a truck mounted with loudspeakers told on-lookers to lure them into the demonstration.

After moving from the SPLM head office in Bor town to Langbar junction on Makuach road, 3 police vehicles surrounded the SPLM supporters urging them to discontinue their demonstration, but with little effect. The upset youths, about 15 in number, refused to the listen to the police orders.

The police did not use force to stop the demonstration. The crowd was building very fast and imminently overpowering the police, but the SPLM supporters dispersed when it was suggested to launch a fresh demonstration later.

(ST)