Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
August 29, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – The Sudanese oil minister Lual Deng became the first high profile Southern figure to publicly express his support for the country’s unity ahead of a self-determination referendum due to take place early next year in the South.
The referendum on south Sudan’s possible independence from the north is the key plank of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the peace deal that brought decades of civil war and granted south Sudan semi-autonomous rule.
Most observers expect an overwhelming vote by the Southerners in favour of independence after two decades of a bitter civil war that claimed millions of lives and generated feelings of marginalization by the Arab-Muslim dominated North.
But the newly appointed oil minister said that unity is a better option for the Southern Sudanese.
“I’m a unionist in the footsteps of a unitary leader [late SPLM leader] John Garang de Mabior. We studied for PhD together at the University of Iowa. But I consider myself his disciple. The reason for this was that I was, initially, a separatist. But Garang convinced me on the virtues of one Sudan,” Deng said in an interview with the London based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper during his private visit to Washington.
“He [Garang] used to say to me; look at the Americans they have whites, blacks, browns and yellows. They fought a civil war, and faced many problems but they insisted on the unity of the United States. Today, they have a great model for all the world in pluralism, racial and religious tolerance,” he added.
The SPLM figure also pointed out that that he is a believer in African Nationalism and the cause fought for by prominent leaders in the continent such as Kwame Nkrumah from Ghana and Leopold Senghor from Senegal.
The oil minister dismissed crictiscism directed against him by Southerners living in the United States for his stance in support of unity.
“Those [Southerners] who live in America, in this advanced democratic country should make use from the U.S. experience in unity [after the civil war], pluralism, ethnic and religious tolerance,” Deng said.
“I used to be a separatist, but I grew up and learned and I am convinced that unity is better than separation for the North, and for the South. I hope the same thing [change in views] for young Southerners in America who want to secede. I tell them do not sit here [in America], and issue verdicts from over there. I tell them, please, do not open doors to a new war. I ask them, are you going to Sudan to fight, if war broke out again or sit here under air conditioners in America?” he asked.
Deng also suggested that U.S. officials privately support the unity option rather than secession for concern over the stability of the region particularly the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. Furthermore, he said that Washington does not want the emergence of new separatists movements elsewhere in the continent.
He acknowledged however, that if referendum was to take place today it will be in favour of independence but expressed optimism that confidence building measures between the North and South over the next four months may avert such outcome.
The Southern figure said that the people of South are already ruling their own with a substantial presence in the federal government with opportunities not even available for Northerners.
“What do we [Southerners] want more than that?” Deng asked.
The 2005 accord created a national unity government comprised mainly of the dominant National Congress Party (NCP) and SPLM. The latter consistently accused the NCP of being left out of major decisions particularly foreign affairs.
(ST)
thokpiny de Deng de Thokpiny
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dr.Lual Achuek is expressing his oppinion in the fate of Sudan.Of course,every SUdanese deserve the right to choose what fate of Sudan will make the nation survive .If other citizen choose seperation,Dr.Lual dream will die and eventually he will join the cut.
So gentlemen ,maintain your horror and choose your choice
Covert
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dr. John Garang also said; “it’s up to the Khartoum regime to make unity attractive otherwise Sudan will never be the same.”
It’s up to the people in the South to judge whether or not the unity is made attractive so far.
Grader
Laul Deng Achuek is another failed PhD holder
In the US government respects it citizens diverse religions and believes but in Sudan it is the government that leads Islamization!
Are these two comparable Lual?
NO they aren’t
Lokang
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Traitor! Traitor!
Few months after getting that Ministerial jobs does he change his ideological view in support of the North. Those were the very people who claps their hand in support of the Separation. But after getting what all ruthless politician want Bucks, he start neglecting the very reason that put him up there.
He should be demoted. Otherwise the Southerners will again say the Northerners are using all the Money gain by the Oil. Sad to hear that. Lord have mercy on him for uttering such uncouth remarks, for he didn’t know what he says.
He just get overjoyed for the salary he receive as the head in that ministry, otherwise bias of such nature would have not happened.
JOHN CHOL
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dear Dr.Lual,
The late Dr.Garang and yourself were studying as if to alter the Khartoum regime unfortunately,your time for unity, has drastically gone long with your time and generations. Garang had changed his vision before his death and had advised Junubiin that it will be upto them to choose to become second class citizens in their country.
I supposed your classmate has talked.I read your opinion and I quoted:”The Southern figure said that the people of South are already ruling their own with a substantial presence in the federal government with opportunities not even available for Northerners”.
May i urge that it is not about substantial presence in the fedederal government and with luxury opportunities like the job your’re holding, it’s about total freedom for the people of South Sudan.History is repeating itself but thanks God that this time Southerners are more determined to choose their own destiny throught votes in the upcoming referendum.
Please watch out or less you will be used by Bashire in his pro-unity campaign which may tarnish your image before Southerners.I would strongly advise that you should keep distant with media on issues related to separation and unity.
Young Nation
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dear Dr. Lual Deng,
You need to be enlighten that the Great African Nationalists you have mentioned such as Kwame of Ghana, and others like Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Nyerere of Tanzania have achieved their dreams of African nationalism. This is why Kenya is rule by Kenyans and Ghana by Ghanians. It is unfortunate indeed that several Southern Sudanese politicials and intellectuals of various fields of expetise including Dr. Lual Deng have misunderstood the Great Vision of late Dr. Garang.
Dr. Lual should be reminded that the unity Garang talked about is an amalgation of conditionalities with New not old policies as its cornerstone. Failure by Northern politicians to abide by this conditions mean spliting Sudan into two or more countries. What are the other conditions for Sudan to remain united? Equality between the regions and people of Sudan is another condition. Are Northern Sudanese ready to allow Dr. Lual Deng who is not a Muslism, an Arab, A Jaali, Shaigi or a Dongulawi to become the President or a defence minister of the republic of Sudan? If yes, then there is no need for the separation of the South from the North. Unfortunatly, offering Dr. Lual Deng an oil ministry, stripped of energy is a not good gesture new Sudan at all. Dr. Lual should know this reality very well. When Dr. Awad al Jaaz was holding this same ministry, there was no separation between oil and energy. This is one of the examples of old Sudan policies.
According to the tone of Dr. Lual, the oil minister without energy sounded as if he is not ready for anothe round of war. This is exactly why he addressed the courageous lost boys with those negative words. For your information Dr. Lual, those lost boys and others currently outside Sudan are studying first before they go back to Sudan to face the enemies of Souther Sudanese just as you had your time studying in IOWA. Believe me or not Dr. Lual, you will accept carrying an AK47 if not a driving a tank or a gunship if Khartoum continue to separate energy from energy or block the progression of South Sudan referndum in 2011 because the youth of Souht Sudan would not let Jallaba play with dignity.
We will never give up the struggle in the Sudan until one of the following is accepted 1. structuring the current old Sudan into the new Sudan that belong to all of us or 2. The full separation of South Sudan from the old theocratic Sudan ruled by laws and rules of medieval period.
Young Nation is a student of International Relations/Political Science at The University of Queensland, Australia
peter marko
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
What do expect from an opportunistic elite like him. Giving him a ministry of oil post has transformed him over night to become a true crusader of fake unity. Does this kind of strange behavior look familiar to you? Yep, it is a typical way of showing loyalty to NCP by those southern elites who are being bribed by NCP to make these kinds of disgraceful statements.
Do you guys remember how Dr. Lam started undermining SPLM party, and siding with NCP. He, Dr. Lam, started by making the statements of this type, before he came out publically and shows his intention to destroy SPLM because his masters, Jalabas, asked him to do so.
It will not be long before he, Dr. Lual, follows Dr. Lam footstep in betraying the right of the southerners for a self-determination. Do not be fooled by what he said about Dr. Grang vision in concerning unity. First of all Dr. Grang fought, and died for the sake of transforming the country so that all Sudanese will have the same equal right regardless of the religion, and ethnic background. Grang once said Sudan will not be the same. To Dr. Lual, collecting few million dollars is worth betraying the right of his people to self-determination.
For Dr. Lual to come here, USA, and make this kind of statement is not a coincidence. The timing and where he made these disgraceful statements say a lot. Do you remember what professor Dechan did in the last few days, it is the same thing that Dr. Lual did here. In fact, if you read between lines, you will find that he is sending a message to US administration, SPLM party, southerners, darfurians, international community, and of course to him masters who paid him to make such move. Read between lines, and you will find out what message he tries to send to each party.
Shame on you traitor Lual, we, the southerners, are well vigilant to be deceived at this critical moment of our destiny.
Hillary B.M.L,M
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Just because of being appointed a Oil Minister in the short term of interim period, the so call Dr. Deng Lual want to betray Southerners by supporting Unity? It’s not his views, if his views then why he didn’t comment like this before?
Eat but don’t sell us out Please!
Adam
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dear Southerners
This is the real leadership our people need. The opinions expressed by H. E. the Oil Minister are rational, intellectual and long-sighted. One can easily pick-up a sincere spirit of commitment to the poor people in the remote villages and pastors. He translates the hopes and fears of the overwhelming uneducated and unprivileged citizens of the South.
It is true that separatists have the right to campaign for secession, but they should clearly address the people of the South and inform them on the merits and demerits of secession. They must be able to provide answers to deep and complicated issues of peace development, democracy and justice .. etc.
Separatists should not lead the innocent and long-suffering population of the South to more hardships and nightmares. if they cannot have the answers, resources or the ability to build a promising state (and they don’t have any).
The idea of maintaining the unity of the country and benefitting from its ethnic, cultural and religious diversity to make Sudan a leading nation- a better place for all is a wise one. Diversity is power – an enormous one, if sincere and dedicated offspring of the Sudan work to respect diversity and derive all the good things and their derivatives out of it.
Peace, democracy, development and social interaction are our way to better future. Separation means a big catastrophe to all Sudanese – Northerners and Southerners alike. Separation will also complicates the regional and international relations and threatens the international security and peace.
Separatists want to set fires and run away. We should not allow them to kill the dreams of our people to live in respectable society with the basic human rights prevails.
Let us register and vote for UNITY .. for the future. Separation is a disaster at all proportions. We will never be cheated by the notorious, the paranoiac and sick extremist of SPLM/A.
Long live Sudan from Halfa to Nemule – from Elfashir to Port Sudan … from Aja to Zainab, from Oliver to Mahmoud. Yes to unity will be echoed by our drums in the jungle and the drums of the dervish in Gazira and Shamalia.
Sudan is inseparable. Let the separatist shed their hypocrisy and work for the people – not for the self, party, tribe or the Satan.
One Country – One destiny.
Adam Milawaki, Kansas City
Yai Marach
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dr Lual, Idon’t know whether the word PHD means ” Pull Him Down”
Iam not sure whether you are saying those words concerning the unity of Sudan inside the bottom of your heart, if so then i will not belame you because you didn’t get the suffering of Southerners because you was brought from diaspora striaght forward to the position to position, you didn’t experience the real suppering of those people who are calling for secession.
Dr Lual i have question to ask you if you don’t mine, do you think that Bashir will leave you in that position if Sudan is united under the sharia law as it is?
When you first met the Chairman in 2002 in Nairobi as Southern Sudan Intellectuals(SSI) on your way back from diaspora with those of Anna Itto, Anthony Lino Makana, Luka Biong, Deng Atherbei and all the current GOSS and GONU SPLM ministers we were all watching you day by day and try to know whether you will understand the long suffering people in all parts of South Sudan but unfortunetly you didn’t.
Please no body will stop you to start campiagning for your own everlasting slavery but don’t criticise those who are fed up from the Islamic sharia law for decades.
Justin Chicago opiny
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Mr.Lual Deng the democracy practiced in America can not come close to what is taking place in Sudan a unionist you refer to Dr.John Garang was very clear when he said in Nyayo uhuru park that and I quote”I have brought to you the CPA it is now your choice to live as a “second class citizen” in your own country after the referendum. Khartoum have refused to implement the 28-30 % federal jobs to southerners which could have made unity atractive. You are now the minister of Oil. How many southerners are working with you in that ministry?. And when it comes to skilled labour and professionals what percent of the entire people working in your ministry in the Federal Government are southerners?.
We want sudan to be a diverse country and remain united,but our brothers in the north are short sighted they always agree to disagree with all our rights and those of other marginalized people in other part of Sudan. Come up with a solution if you want sudan to remain united.Let there be a rotating presidency between the north and the south on a 4 year term. It is the south that is fighting the war of injustice in the sudan and when given the chance to rule the whole sudan there will be a lot of changes and unity will be made atractive.
The people of Southern sudan asked for a confederal Government in 1947 and were denied that now that there is trouble in four corners of sudan you now say confederation is the only option for sudan.What you need in the government in the centre is also what other sudanese want. Change your mentalities. For a lasting piece to be in sudan separation in a peaceful divorce is the only solution as long as we shall remain good neighbours.
Wendemagangdit
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
The CPA was signed under two flags and this means separation. This was percieved by the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affiars. No body can stop us from becoming an Independent Suppreme Nation, not even Bashir.
Dr. Lual has forgotten so soon that we were the ones who voted him in to Parliament. Please give us back our seat. People like Brig. Gen. Philip Chol Biowei deserve such position. You have let us down.
Kur
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Now we know waht you’re up to. Did you fight Mr. Lual Deng? We will not give up our land because somebody thinks there will be war if the people of South Sudan choose their independence. Let those who do not bleed start the war. Your are no more than a stupid dog trapped in the whole and drinking our blood. Go to hell, sir.
Kur
Gatwech
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dear readers,
Ahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…………
The true real traitors will now reveal their colours and start to act like their grandfathers and mothers during the British time a hundred years ago.
Now Dr. Lual Deng from Twic East County is revealing his treason along with his other colleagues in betrayal.
Deng, please there is no similarity between American democracy and that of Sudan unity. Americans have no religious problem like us.
Just eat your money of betrayal and don’t forget the D-Day when such people like you will be victims in between.
Ahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa………………….
Traitors, traitors and traitors in the last hour!!!!
Lual Garang De Lual
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Dr. Lual Achuek Lual Deng is a disgrace to Dachuek, Nyuak, Twice East community in particular, Bor community and people of Jonglei state at large. How can he denied the cause of South Sudanese people, how can a man oversudden changed his mind from separation to unity. I mean this, a frog can’t jump out from its hidings without any problem. Dr. Lual is either bribe (with huge money) or he is insane. I would like to call upon the people of Twice East community to sit down and reconsider their position on the issue b’se Lual is a prominent member in our community and many people believed this to be the position of Twice East community which I think it isn’t b’se Lual was nominated by the community on SPLM party list. Please Mr. Atem Garang Deng DeKuek, Mr. Deng Dau Deng, Mrs. Akuany Aleer Achuoth, Mr. Deng Aguer, Mrs. Deu Aguil and other prominent members who are technocrats like Isaiah Chol Aruaai, Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch this is becoming thorn in our community’s flesh and need to be resolved at the community level. Our community has bear so many troubles during the war and this is the time we need to be free from blame in all corners, hence, there is a need for the community to come out clearly on Lual’s speech concerning unity and separation.
Achuil Manyuat Tong
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
Lual should not be blamed for making that statement because he clearly said that he was in favour of separation when he was not a minister hence to attracte pigeon always pour some sugar and grain around the compound daily with in few days they birds would be able to return to their base.
It is easy to solve his problem since it is mainly economical issue. He simply need assurance that he will be appointed a minister of energy and mining in the republic of Southern Sudan.
I am not happy though for his wrong interpretation of the vision of new Sudan.
We in south have always said yes for unity .we struggle for it yet the north never hesistate to say no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Therefore ,mr Lual should not try to missinterpret the the new
Sudan vision.
It would have been wise if he had made his own comment and leave that of our hero Dr. John Garang.
Thanks.
Always for southern Sudan.
Gatluak Latjor
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
These are really funny statements given the timing. Why is Dr. Lual saying this at those times? Why he did not say this in 2006, 2007, 2008,2009, since the separatists were present at this times? What basis of Lual ‘s unity of today ? Is it the conditional unity of Dr. Garang ? Now every southern Sudanese can evaluate the implementation of the CPA and it is true that north Sudan did not work for the unity of South with the north throughout the interim period ; and because of that the whole South Sudan is now separatist. And because a revolutionary movement (SPLM is a one ) should always respect the rights of a majority, Dr.Lual if a revolutionary leader should respect the rights of the majority separatists in the South now, their right not to be united with the north Sudan on no basis. Truelly, he is now attacking the very people who brought him to his now ministrial post. If Dr.Lual continues on what he is SAYING in coming times , then i question his Ph.D and sane.
Apalangorok
Sudan’s oil minister criticizes secessionist voices, supports unity
HaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaPool Phd Dr Lual
Agutayook