Sudan heads pledge peace in “difficult year”
By Philip Thon Aleu
January 19, 2010 (YAMBIO, WES) – Sudan’s leaders pledge at a peace
anniversary Wednesday to protect the accord, translate it into development
and organize free and fair elections, and referenda in the country.
Mayardit – who is also the president of semi-autonomous south, vow
never to return to war “because the people of this Country need
peace.”
The two leaders made the promises in speeches delivered in Yambio
Stadium, Western Equatoria state, during the marking of the 5th
Anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that end two
decades of civil wars mainly between southern and northern Sudan in
2005.
Sitting side-by-side and speaking one after, the two leaders also say
they will respect the out come of 2011 referenda in the south and
Abyei, and the popular consultation in Blue Nile and northern Kordufan
states.
“[This year] is a major test of our journey…to ensuring that our
people don’t go back to war,” said South Sudan President Salva Kiir.
Mr. Kiir says the “lives of Sudanese have changed from worse to
better” 5 years since ceasefire provided in the CPA halted major
conflicts between north and south.
Mr. Kiir says he and President Bashir are committed to avoid another
war between the south and the north urging the Sudanese people to
remain hopeful saying: “[We shall] rather work hard to ensure peace
and stability in the Country.”
Acknowledging the on-going conflict in Darfur people, South Sudan
President Kiir says “there is more to be done to achieve [the SPLM]
objectives of liberation” so that “a lasting peace is [seen] in
Darfur.” “The people of this country need peace,” he stressed.
On his part, Prsident Omar Bashir also pledges that the National
Congress Party’s leadership that inked the peace with former southern
rebels, the SPLM (Sudan people’s Liberation Movement], “will never
return the Country to war.”
Mr. Bashir says the CPA, which he describes as “one of the most
historical documents in our country,” shall be maintained, respected
and implemented “isha Allah [Allah is able].”
The Sudanese President spoke at length about the forthcoming elections
and referendum for self determination in south in 2011. On elections,
Al Bashir says the government will provide all necessary tools to the
National Election Commission so that process is a success. He calls on
the citizens to vote their leaders freely without intimidation. Al
Bashir was keen to use the ceremony to dismiss claims by southern
leaders that there is first, second and third class citizens in Sudan
saying “we are all Sudanese and the same.”
About the southerners’ vote in referendum and particularly opting for
separation, Mr. Bashir says Khartoum will still offer necessary
support as neighboring Country with strong ties rooted in culture and
origin. He says all these peaceful means will be done by the Sudanese
people to show the world that home affairs can be managed internally.
Translating peace into development, Bashir decrees establishment of a
University in Western Equatoria to answer an early request by State
Gov. Jemma Nunu Kumba for human empowerment through education.
The CPA, signed in 2005, is celebrated annually on January 9 to mark
the end of civil war in Sudan where about 2 millions people were
killed in 2 decades conflicts. This year’s celebrations, in Yambio,
were delayed to January 19.
As part of the implement of the CPA, first multiparty elections in
Sudan are due in April 2010 and a referendum in the south for self
determination in 2011.
2010 celebrations in Yambio attracted thousands of people locally and
internationally who are wishing to have chance of seeing Sudanese
leaders sitting together, making promises on how to keep the country
peacefully intact. Or more vital and particularly for separatists’
southerners yearning for independence comes 2011 to predict their fate
in a new state.
(ST)
Gatwech
Sudan heads pledge peace in “difficult year”
Dear readers,
Both leaders truly expressed their rejection of return to war. They pledged peaceful settlement to all the CPA issues. President Bashir himself in his televised speech in Yambio, WES, during the CPA celebration told thousands of people of the crowd that the leaders who fought tough wars with him were all present during the CPA.
He even mentioned as an example that his leg was wounded by Dr. Riek Machar’s forces during the battles between him and Dr. Machar in Mayom in 1988 when Bashir was still SAF Brig. General in charge of Unity state while Machar was the SPLA Zonal Commander in the whole of Western Upper Nile. That was one year before he became President.
The guy knows how bad the war had been.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Sudan heads pledge peace in “difficult year”
That is a spirit of wise man and inteliigence. The people of Western Equatoria had done a wonderful idea of welcoming Bashir including his acompany ministers. Althought he is South Sudan enemy, but politically a person who oppose your view and rights is not fully an enemy but challanger who need attention. It is also good to keep secret against your enemy and buy them with smile as our people of WES has done. Good move and wise idea, I am only concern about the fight of murle members in Juba yesterday leaving 15 injuries. This is one of the unwant culture to be ignored in any part of Greater Equatoria, I condomn it for the first time and not expecting further attempt. justics must be enforce to those savages who are behind the criminal act. I quote the fight exactly to what Lam has stated that South Sudan is uncertain,also to minister for telling that we are enemies to ourselves.
New Year Message continuous to inspire
Time for tribalism has gone, its new year 2010 which is not a time to generalise tribe or community instead of one person. It is time to focus on the real issue far from tribal criticism, political party criticism, leaders criticism, and very far from abuses or insults. We should also debate far from abuses of any single commenter on ST forum, to myself I want to be a man of tolerance, peace, responsbility, respect, forgiveness, love, unity and courage . It is time to get serious and work for the betterment of my nation South Sudan Democratic Republic of Victoria, South Sudan should be call Victoria, because the long struggle is victory, CPA is victory, South Sudan liberation is victory, our insecurity will be a victory, election and referrendom are potential victories. South Sudan future source of hydro electricity power is White nile which has its source at Lake Victoria, unqestionable the name fits.
I didn’t change myself because of pressure or whatsoever, it could be my 2010 resolution. Brave man conquers the fear like I did previously. However I come to realised that, I am not truly free if I am taking away and abusing someone else’s freedom of expression and speech, just as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me and been abused. This is why I finally come to reason that, me and the rest of concern Southerns will transformed South Sudan into a country that is not comfortable place for those who opposed to democracy, parliamentary law, parliamentary debate, independent and fair courts. For now lets start new year with fresh mind and positive ideas that will improvement the managment of South Sudan, childish comments must be ignored. Some individual comment aggressively when they are defeated in debate, this spirit must be abandon. We are here to play a game ie you get defeated or you defeat others defends on the article and the extend of your debate, but don’t insult people. This is my new year inspiring message to ST viewers, contributors, pseuds, readers and editor. Finally if you come across a mistake or opposing view, please address it with dignity.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Gatwech
Sudan heads pledge peace in “difficult year”
Dear readers,
The worst nightmare for salva kiir is coming. Dr. Riek Gai Kok is soon to be announced by NCP as its candidate to take over the GOSS presidency.
The incompetent, tribalist and corrupt Kiir of “akul baraw” group is in trouble as the “akul sawa” group of Dr. Riek Gai Kok will remove him soon.
The result is already out!!!