Opposition SSDF advocate for unity after South Sudan independence
July 01, 2011 (JUBA) – Opposition party the South Sudan Democratic Forum (SSDF) has lauded the able leadership of South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir but urged him to champion unity with the region, which becomes independent in a week.
“To be a nation, we must be united; to be united, we must espouse justice, equality, peace and freedom to all our people regardless of their tribe, clan, gender, region, religion or political affiliation”, SSDF’s statement on June 28 said.
While giving a historical perspective of South Sudan’s political struggle prior to South Sudan’s long-awaited independence, the southern opposition party also congratulated the people of the semi-autonomous region for this historic achievement attained after decades of war.
The people of South Sudan, the SSDF statement says, struggled for self-determination to extricate themselves from the “yolk of foreign oppression, brutal exploitation, racial and religious persecutions, massacres and ultimately genocide” with the intention to remain in peace and stability.”
“The Democratic Forum sincerely congratulates our people and the nation for the success of their 56-year (1955 -2011) old struggle to collectively achieve their cherished independence and freedom,” the statement reads.
South Sudan’s conflicts with Khartoum began before independence in 1956 and only stopped for just over a decade before conflict resumed in 1983 after the Addis Ababa peace broke down.
The war finally ended in 2005 when the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement with Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party.
The deal allowed the South to secede in a referendum, which the region voted for almost unanimously in January this year.
SSDF further appealed to the Southern leadership and the entire population not to forget the great role played by those who died in the conflict saying they deserve special recognition as the south celebrates independence on July 9.
“These heroes and heroines have not died for nothing: they have delivered us forever from our enemy’s exploitation, oppression and slavery. We pray for their souls that the Almighty God rest their souls in eternal life,” the statement further says.
The opposition party specifically cited Any-nya-I fighters who pioneered the 1963 armed struggle reportedly in defence of South Sudan land, the Any-nya-II for laying the foundation of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) in 1975 and later the SPLA for fighting for over two decades until the 2005 peace deal.
(ST)
Meendebai
Opposition SSDF advocate for unity after South Sudan independence
Let’s embrace our diversity!
LongTweng
Opposition SSDF advocate for unity after South Sudan independence
SSDF always pushing their agenda, everybody understand that, but it must not be rush or it can become rotten and self destruct so rapidly.
Let wait and define what separation and unity mean.
Bigcat
Opposition SSDF advocate for unity after South Sudan independence
I advise the south sudan oposition parties to critise the ruling SPLM part, but not to use violent as critism.
there are now a day to many opposition parties south sudan!but remember if is too many opposition parties then there will be to many critism, wish wil result into too many rebel struggle for power. let me assured to the opposition parties don’t just confuse the south sudanese citizen for such fake ideologies..where were this fucken oposition in last 21 year of struggle with NIF?
Let’s respect the SPLM for brave work that lead south to independence by this weekend..SPLM OYEE, not SSDF oyee.
Kon Ajith Deng
Opposition SSDF advocate for unity after South Sudan independence
NO UNITY OR DIVESITY UNDER DINKA’S REGIME.