Kiir urges southern Sudanese political parties to prioritize referendum
By Ngor Arol Garang
October 13, 2010 (JUBA) — Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the semi autonomous government on Wednesday called on Southern Sudanese political parties leaders to prioritize conduct of the referendum on self-determination scheduled for January next year.
Officials from northern Sudan peace partner and dominant party in the federal government, National Congress Party (NCP) warned at different occasions that they would reject the outcome of 9 January vote is run under intimidation and luck of freedom of expression.
The leader of the Southern Sudan ruling party (SPLM) declared last week that his personal preference for secession.
“The conduct of the referendum must be given equal attention by all political leaders. It should not be left to two parties (NCP & SPLM); it is a responsibility of all leaders and people,” Kiir said seeking to mobilize all the efforts for on this historical vote.
The SPLM remains committed to principle of cooperation and partnership with all stakeholders, he told political leaders declaring all political parties to freely campaign and sell importance of the two options without using influence.
The opening session was attended by Vice-President Ali Osman Taha who said that this conference is followed by all the Sudanese in northern and southern Sudan and wished that it would pave the road for a broader national gathering.
Kiir, in his speech, stressed that his government “allows people to freely campaign about the two options”. .”If there are people wanting to campaign for unity, they are allowed because it is also their right,” he further said.
He also said the pardon issued for the renegade SPLA officers who rebelled against his government last April aims to gather all the southerners and involve them in the referendum which will decide the future of the south and to create a suitable atmosphere for it.
The conference was attended by international organizations, the UN, Sudanese and African politicians including Sudan’s 2nd Vice President, Ali Osman Taha, Former Kenyan President, Daniel Arap Moi, and Former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
Joseph Ukel, a leader of Union of Sudan African Party, appealed on all the political leaders in southern Sudan to support implementation of the remaining issues in the CPA.
“The conduct of the referendum must be given extreme attention by all leaders because this is what all political leaders in the south have been advocating. Many leaders have died because of this self determination. Now that it is contained in the agreement, it remains responsibility of all leaders to give all necessary support for the successful conduct, said Ukel,” who is a minister of higher education in the regional government of southern Sudan
Bona Malwal Madut Riing, an adviser at the Sudanese presidency and one of the leaders from South Sudan Democratic Forum, said the conference must not only address issues connected to referendum but how to address political differences among political leaders in the region.
“There are many pressing issues which must be discussed and resolved transparently in order to create conducive atmosphere for successful conduct of the referendum,” said Malwal.
Leader of United Democratic Front, Peter Abdel Rahman Sule, in statements to Sudan Tribune said the future of Southern Sudan is a shared responsibility and urged the SPLM to bring together all different voices before the conduct of the referendum.
Under the 2005 peace deal, dubbed Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed between the Sudanese government and the former rebel SPLM/A, southerners have to decide at the end of the interim period on whether they want to remain part of the Sudan or establish their separate state.
The agreement also recommends conduct of similar referendum in Abyei for the Nine Dinka Ngok chiefdom administratively transferred to Kordofan in 1905 to decide on whether to remain of part the region or return to Bahr el Ghazal region in South Sudan.
(ST)
Malou Manyiel
Kiir urges southern Sudanese political parties to prioritize referendum
My appeal to all Southern political parties is that to come together and have one thing in common, in time of referendum and after independent as well. By gone is by gone. We as new generations does not want the past that carries terrible memories amongst ourselves.
May God make you understand why you fought for 22 years.
John Malou Manyiel
in Khartoum
Thondet Manyang
Kiir urges southern Sudanese political parties to prioritize referendum
Dear Southerners,
We better agree and work togather now. No more time left. Pesident Kiir thanks for bringing Southerners on one track.
okucu pa lotinokwan
Kiir urges southern Sudanese political parties to prioritize referendum
Dear Southerners,
The statement make by Malual is buying time for National Criminal Party NCP,i do believe that what our president Gen Maryadit brought out is the right way to peace within the southern Political parties.Malual should be advice that his own people were the victim during these 22yrs of war in the south,although he is been hiding himself in Khartoum pro NCP.
Malual should know very well by now what is in the mind of any southerners is Referendum only, nothing far from that,Malual should compare his current age he is now in, and the current youths in the south suffering under the level of poverty.
OKUCU PA LOTINOKWAN
unity state boy
Kiir urges southern Sudanese political parties to prioritize referendum
MR .president Kir It is very greatfull for your call the all parties to unite them for the coming referendum ,that is the leadership .
Thank by
AMEN
in
UK
mass
Kiir urges southern Sudanese political parties to prioritize referendum
That is a good move Mr.President for reaching out to southern political parties and I hope they will accept your invitation and its intention which is to come together and unite under one banner and one spirit in order to successfully accomplish our mission for self-determination. For it is extremely important for people under one domain but with rivalry on how to manage a country to disregard their political differences and assemble in
harmony with each other to tackle down, in this case succeeding in accomplishing the issue that is matter to the peaceful ad democratical existence of south Sudanese.