South Sudan Speaker appeals to replace tribalism with unity

By Ngor Arol Garang

January 24, 2011 (ABYEI) – James Wani Igga, a speaker of the Juba-based South Sudan Legislative Assembly has called for a replacement of tribalism with love and unity, describing it as “easiest way” toward achievement development.

The senior member of the southern ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), spoke at the graduation ceremony of his son who graduated recently from Makerere Business School (MUKS), at Ntinda Township in the Ugandan capital of Kampala over the weekend.

In the statement seen by Sudan Tribune on Monday, the official who addressed hundreds of south Sudanese students from different ethnic groups studying at various universities and higher learning institutions in the neighboring country urged them to throw away the practice of tribalism and embrace each other for a better nation.

He reiterated the commitment of his party and government to fight illiteracy, which he said is on the list of top issues the regional government struggles to address at earliest possible. The public figure in the south further explained commitment of his government to combating illiteracy through bursary supports offered to students at higher learning institutions both in and outside the region.

Igga, who is also deputy chairman of the SPLM for organization and moral orientation on party principles and objectives, commended his party and people of south Sudan for successful conduct of the recently concluded referendum on the south’s independence. He also praised the SPLM for championing the liberation struggle leading to the conduct of referendum on self-determination for the people of the region.

Preliminary results of the January 9 to 15 poll shows an overwhelming vote in favor of independence of South, home to Christians and traditional beliefs, from the predominantly Muslim north. After decades of civil war the south and north signed a 2005 peace deal allowing the south to secede through a referendum, if unity had not been made attractive after 5 and half years of power and wealth sharing.

Igga also recognized and appreciated the role played by South Sudanese Students Union in supporting the success of the Southern Sudanese in Uganda and appealed to all the South Sudanese to unite during what he termed as “critical time” in the history of Sudan. He also called on all the people and leaders to avoid tribalism and nepotism and exhibit more tolerance to divergent views.

(ST)