Unity of South Sudan parties a blessing to independence

By Jacob K. Lupai

October 20, 2010 — Like any other southerner genuinely keen on the unity of South Sudan I was on the moon with joy as I watched Haru Mutesa of Aljazeera English Service eloquently reporting from Juba the concluding event of South Sudan political parties’ conference. It was a dream comes true. As a writer and keen on promoting togetherness for the common good, I had used the might of pen and paper to argue strongly in an article, Peace and forgiveness essential ahead of 9 January 2011 referendum in Southern Sudan, that unity of South Sudan was paramount to achieve independence. I felt my prayers had been answered because it would have been utter naivety of first order if there were a political party that had assumed it could go it alone and achieve independence for South Sudan. Independence for South Sudan was a southern nationwide project that needed tremendous effort and sustainable strength. In contrast divisions would have made independence to achieve a mammoth task like a steep uphill climb.

At this hour South Sudan needs one voice. The South Sudan political parties’ conference has demonstrated clearly that it is within the power of southerners to make things happen. It is a demonstration that no power on earth will stop southerners from exercising their God-given right to freedom in their place of birth. A lot has been said about making unity attractive. However, this should now be history. There is no time left to talk about salvaging unity of Sudan that has been a disaster to the blacks in South Sudan. It is now the Sudanese minister of defence who is trying to flex his muscle by requesting the postponement of the referendum in the South. The minister of defence could have done a lot of favour to his boss the president of Sudan if he had wisely advised on the prompt implementation of the agreement between the North and South. Action was needed then but unfortunately it was only empty talking. Now the minister of defence is interfering with the implementation of the agreement.

Unity of Sudan is but history. The South Sudan political parties’ conference has opened a new chapter. One positive thing to the North is that the conference has offered to improve North-South relations. This is commendable in that it is ushering in an era of building broken bridges between the North and the South. Independence to the South is a change of administration that will not alter the proximity of the South to the North. When the dust has settled down as neighbours there will definitely be bilateral agreements. These could take various forms and importantly to improve trade for economic prosperity of both the North and the South. This will be time to settle down on serious business. The South naturally has a lot to catch up after decades of underdevelopment. What is advisable is for the North not to live in the past. The North has to move on from antagonism to cooperation with the South for mutual advantage. Independence will not make the South like an alien from outer space. The North and the South have a lot to gain from each other as good neighbours. However, this will depend on how the North behaves. If the North behaves like it has done in the past fifty years then it will not expect much from the South.

South Sudan has become the focus of international concern. This is because on 9 January 2011 a referendum will take place in South Sudan. The result of the referendum may be the birth of a new nation in the world. Here the min concern is how North Sudan will react to the separation of South Sudan to become an independent nation as a next door neighbour. The fear is that war may flare up between the North and the South. However, it is possible that the North may start a war by provocation as a punishment of the South for separation. In contrast the South is keen on achieving independence and moving on. The South has no territorial ambition in the North and no strategic interest to fight for. The opposite is true for the North that has a witch eye on southern oilfields and territory. So if there is a problem it will originate from the North.

The referendum in the South is part of an agreement that is recognised and understood worldwide. It gives the South the right to choose to become an independent nation. The United Nations, the African Union and the Inter-governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) countries, and even the Arab League countries are all aware of this right to the South that may be the newest independent nation on planet earth after 9 January 2011. Recognition of independent South Sudan is likely to be swift. In addition South Sudan has a professional standing army. It is difficult to see how the North will undermine the independence of South Sudan. An instantaneous recognition of South Sudan as an independent nation by the world is expected for the fact that the world is already aware of the referendum and the right of the South as agreed upon. The South Sudan army is also expected to protect the option the people of South Sudan may have chosen. It is now a worldwide expectation that the people of South Sudan after having endured so long for a golden opportunity will vote for independence in the referendum. North Sudan will either swallow its bitter disappointment and anger or face the concerted disapproval of the world for its aggression on the South. The South Sudan army will not stand idle by.

The southern political parties’ conference for the unity of South Sudan would not have taken place without the vision and courage of the chairmen of the political parties and most importantly the President of the Government of South Sudan. At this difficult hour it takes a lion’s heart to stand up and be counted as the servant of the people. History has been made. This could not have been possible without the heart of a tiger in Salva Kiir Mayardit, his advisors and his council of ministers who came up boldly with a vision for unity of South Sudan against all the northern meticulous grand plan of intimidation and aggression. As Salva Kiir Mayardit survived the two wars of liberation (1955-1972 and 1983-2005), he will also survive to lead South Sudan to independence. He is the last in the relay race of southern liberation to cross the finishing line to victory.

The southern political parties’ conference would not have taken place without also the active participation of the chairmen of the parties. The chairmen played a key pivotal role in promoting unity that the men and women at the grassroots had been yearning for. For all this the chairmen of the parties deserve the highest commendation. It will be difficult to mention all the chairmen but it is convenient to mention just a sample whose contributions are tremendous. Salva Kiir Mayardit as the Chairman of he Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has already been mentioned.

Bona Malwal Madut is one of the leaders of South Sudan Democratic Forum. He is a veteran politician with a vast experience. Many of the chairmen of the various political parties were probably still students when Bona Malwal was already a politician. He contributed enormously to the cause of the South especially after the uprising that ended the military regime of Ibrahim Abboud. Bona Malwal as the editor of the Vigilant newspaper was outspoken for the cause of South Sudan and as a member of Southern Front stood for self-determination to the South. In a sitting in London Bona Malwal said during the struggle in Khartoum they would not keep notes or minutes of a meeting because the state security was after them. This may give a glimpse of what Bona Malwal went through for the South. With his wide connections Bona Malwal is likely to be a valuable asset in steering the North and the South clear of conflict.

Dr Lam Akol Ajawin is the Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Democratic Change (SPLM-DC). Despite the controversy surrounding the formation of the SPLM-DC Dr lam Akol’s contribution to the cause of South Sudan cannot be denied. He was one of the founding members of the SPLM. On a positive note Dr Lam Akol will be remembered as a flexible individual who put the interest of the South above partisan politics. His active participation in the southern political parties’ conference is evidence of Dr Lam Akol’s flexibility. It takes critical analysis and courage to be flexible. At any rate flexibility is at times required because rigidity may simply break up people into weaklings.

Peter Abdelrahaman Sule is the Chairman of South Democratic Front. He is a charismatic individual. Peter Abdelrahaman Sule stood firm from day one for independence of South Sudan and has never yielded an inch. He can never be intimidated and will always stand solidly firm on what he believes in. Peter Abdelrahaman Sule is reliable in the pursuit of independence to South Sudan.

The southern political parties’ conference and the resultant expression of solidarity is the pride of the South. This spirit of solidarity must never be allowed to die but kept glowing with the brightness it deserves. The caution, however, is that solidarity and unity of the parties should not end with the independence of the South. Independence is the beginning of the most difficult route to navigate in the history of the South. It needs all efforts from each and everyone to stand up to protect the gains of the referendum. There will be greed and incompetence all over. It is through solidarity and unity that the South will be able to carry itself forward to prosperity. Enemies will be uncountable like sand. Unity and commitment is the answer for the South to weather away challenges posed by enemies.

In conclusion, a word of caution that unity of South Sudan is not through assimilation but though integration. The various political parties may work in different ways with different approaches but all is geared towards unity of the South for the ultimate welfare of all. The South may need to produce leaders not rulers. The difference is that the latter may be too egoistic and the former may inspire the led.

The author can be reached at [email protected]