SPLM in W. Equatoria State denounces arrest of its leaders in Khartoum

By Richard Ruati

December 8, 2009 (YAMBIO) – The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Western Equatoria state has denounced the crackdown and arrest of their leaders on Monday in Khartoum.

During an emergency meeting with all members of the party at the premises of the SPLM State Secretariat in Yambio the Deputy chairperson of the party in Western Equatoria State, Edward Bukulu denounced the National Congress Party (NCP) for the arrest of Pagam Amun with his Deputy and Yasir Araman and other members Monday morning in Khartoum.

Present at the meeting were all SPLM members in the WES Legislative Assembly, including the Speaker WESLA Rt Hon. Richard Noti Runge, SPLM State Secretary Mr. Manasseh Diboi Agoli, Mr. David Billy the County commissioner of Yambio County and Darfurians in the State who took part in denouncing the NCP for what they called “unjustified act by the Ruling NCP against the rights of Sudanese.”

Bukulu stressed that, NCP is found of downplaying vital issues in the remaining bills before the National Assembly in Khartoum, however “the SPLM remains committed for the democratic rights of every Sudanese,” he said.

He thanked all the SPLM comrades in the state for maintaining security and order without causing any harm to any NCP member in the State nor burn their houses rather show the NCP and World at large that “SPLM is for law, order and human Rights of the people and committed to implement the CPA.”

Bukulu urged the NCP to maintain meaning of their words of brotherhood and sisterhood.

“The right of every individual is not like any treasure that one can claim, own, ship and buy that is why the SPLM stands for Equality, Justice and Freedom,” added Bukulu.

“If Sudan is for Real Sudanese, then if [we] join hands with Western, Eastern and the Southern Sudan, the remaining part is Khartoum which some special Sudanese think it is Heaven that one cannot reach easily and if Khartoum is where we can reach by all means [we] can together even if Satan or Devil is there Our Creator God will be ahead of us as we fight for our rights,” noted Bukulu.

Bukulu pointed out that, “this is like a penalty” for the three regions of Sudan, South, West and East in which nobody dares to miss the target to claim victory of the struggle against discrimination and mistreatment.

As we prepare for the 5th Anniversary of the CPA lets remain calm as we wait for time of Protesting if the Bills are not passed then we shall also show our true color of SPLM.’ Bukulu promised.

Yabmbio will host the celebration of fifth anniversary of the CPA next January.

State SPLM Secretary Comrade Manasseh Deboi Agoli lamented that, the NCP leaders in the state reached the SPLM office 3 times but we assured them nothing bad will happen to them as we wait from the SPLM Chairperson for the follow up the status of the detainees in Khartoum.

“It is not about, WES does not want to demonstrate but that is not [our] high time, there are still more hurdles in front of [us] , referendum and National Security Bills to be passed by the National Assembly, if not WES shall also protest more than what happened in other States,” Deboi explained.

Manase appeals that, “NCP do not own any thing in Sudan be it Soil, houses, Goods nor any other property all these things belong to the Sudanese people, if [we] burn houses they are still our own therefore we should remain calm as we wait for quick action.”

Comrade Manaseh cautioned the People of Nuba Mountains, Beja, Darfur and all Southern Sudanese to take lead in the quest

Darfur business men who joined the SPLM party recently showed their solidarity for the “unjustified acts by the NCP in Northern Sudan”.

Mr. Abdel Razig, on behalf of Darfurians stressed that, Sudan attained peace through dialogue between the two parties of SPLM and NCP therefore there is sense in banning one of the two at this critical moment when Sudan awaits its first parliamentary and presidential elections.

Monday, December 7th marked the end of more one month-long period of voter registration throughout Sudan, a key step toward the first democratic elections to be held in the country in 24 years, now slated for April 2010.

(ST)