Athor says SPLM “ruling clique” can rig referendum against people’s choice
June 1, 2010 (JUBA/TURALEI) – In a most recent written statement attributed to him, dated 28th May, the renegade Gen. George Athor Deng, expressed his concern about the conduct of the upcoming referendum, saying he did not trust the current “ruling clique” of the SPLM-led Government of Southern Sudan to respect the people’s choice in the exercise.
Athor, who confirmed the statement to Sudan Tribune signed the document from an unknown location or base which he just called “Bushes of Southern Sudan”. He alleged that the “ruling clique” of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) rigged the general elections in the South and can also rig the referendum.
“The clique in Juba is now desperately trying to mislead public opinion that the long-awaited referendum in Southern Sudan is tied with their continuation in power. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, their very presence in power jeopardizes the credibility of the referendum itself. An illegitimate government that rigged the democratic right of the people cannot be trusted to lead the Southern Sudanese into a democratic exercise to determine their destiny,” reads the statement.
He alleged that the SPLM did not respect the democratic right of the people by rigging the elections results contrary to their choice of leaders and can therefore rig the referendum results between unity and separation in the same way of disrespect for people’s choice.
“Since the SPLM ruling clique in Juba rigged the elections with impunity, they can in the same way also rig the referendum. The South cannot afford to have a Self-determination result that is in dispute. That will be a recipe for instability rather than the peaceful outcome the CPA was meant to realize,” the statement continued.
Athor called for all the Southern Sudan political parties and independent candidates to discuss and agree on a roadmap that shall also respect the choice of the people and safeguard it against the “riggers.”
“Herein lay my proposal that all the Southern political parties and the Independents who contested the last elections, should sit down to discuss and agree on a roadmap for the South as the referendum date gets near. No one Southern group, especially one that has stolen an election, can alone deliver the South to such a crucial momentous decision. We still hope that wise counsels will prevail on the ruling clique in Juba before it is too late, to see sense and stop playing with the destiny of our people.”
“In view of the vital importance of the referendum on Self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan, I would like to assure our people that we shall never be party to throwing away the moment they have been waiting for now for almost half a century. In fact, our difference with the riggers of their elections is precisely to safeguard their right to make a free and conscientious choice,” he said.
He further explained that his group was committed to the implementation of the CPA and the conduct of the referendum as stipulated in the peace agreement, adding that such an exercise could also be carried out in the areas he controlled through an arrangement involving the United Nations.
“I reaffirm my commitment to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), especially the conduct of the referendum on Self-determination in 2011,” he stated.
“In this regard, and should the ruling clique in Juba continue to impose war on us, it is incumbent upon us to: reiterate that the referendum on Self-determination of Southern Sudan should take place on time, that is, on the 9th of January 2011 as stipulated in the CPA; and The arrangements for the conduct of the referendum in the areas we control shall be agreed upon by us, the United Nations and the other stake holders in the process. This is to ensure that the outcome truly reflects the will of the people.”
Athor, in an exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Monday, without disclosing his whereabouts, said he supported peaceful conduct of Southern Sudan referendum on time so as to once and for all move on the road to the fight for democracy and good governance in the South.
“I would like referendum to be conducted on time so that another journey for peaceful match in search of a long sought democracy and good governance by the people of Southern Sudan is initiated,” he said
Commenting on the general feelings of the Southern Sudan populace regarding recently conducted elections, he said the Juba-based government has shown weak image to the whole world and substantiated claims that southern Sudanese cannot manage their own affairs without being controlled.
“The elections we had [conducted] revealed and exposed complete picture of the future of Southern Sudan and equally substantiated claims that South Sudanese cannot manage their own affairs,” he said.
He further added that discontented voices should not be limited to specific states or areas but rather take it as regional problem including those considered to have swallowed the bitterness of the elections. Nobody is happy with the results as nobody celebrated victory of these elections, even those who the national elections commission announced results in their favors, because they received no attendance at their functions, he adds.
Athor, who independently contested Jonglei state’s gubernatorial election and lost to the incumbent Kuol Manyang Juuk, said the Government of Southern Sudan is run by individuals who are not the choice of the people, but only pretend to justify holding on to power in the name of taking the people of Southern Sudan to the referendum.
“This is just a political propaganda coined by individuals as cover up for frauds. Indeed [the] presence of these individuals in the government risks the credibility of the referendum itself because they are not the people’s choice and the government in which they serve is therefore considered as an illegitimate government,” he said.
The former SPLA Deputy Chief of General Staff in his official written statement alleged that the SPLA military offensive against him has failed and warned of his “Uprising” spreading across the region, including to the Southern Sudan capital, Juba, as he also claimed that the recent attacks on Bor-Juba road were carried out by his loyalists.
“Since then the response of the Government of Southern Sudan was a decision by its Council of Ministers ruling out any talks with me and ordering its army to capture me dead or alive. Well, despite the intense propaganda by the clique in Juba downplaying the gravity of the situation, the grand military offensive to fight me mounted under the command of Major General Bol Kong suffered from internal dissent and mutiny, and finally collapsed four days ago. This dashed the hopes of the war-mongers in Juba on a quick defeat of the Southern Uprising against those who stole their will. The Uprising is now spreading as evidenced by the military actions in Pibor area these days, Upper Nile last week, Juba-Bor road and in Unity State today. More surprises are awaiting the ruling clique in Juba. Those in Juba who dream of wishing away this revolution should think again,” he stated.
However, the SPLA spokesman, Maj. General Kuol Deim Kuol, downplayed the magnitude of Gen. Athor’s threat two weeks ago, saying he had no more than 100 soldiers and could be crushed militarily if he dared continuing with his allegations.
Maj. Gen. Kuol however reportedly refused to comment about Athor’s current situation about three days ago.
(ST)