Garang tells SPLM/SPLA members to return home
By Cyrus Kinyungu
Nairobi, May 31, 2004 (The Nation) — Sudanese rebel leader John Garang’ yesterday urged members of his liberation movement to return to their units in Southern Sudan, following the signing of a peace agreement ending their 21-year civil war.
Dr Garang’ addressed an emotive gathering of over 2,000 Sudanese at Kenyatta International Conference Centre on the agreement signed last week under the mediation of Kenya’s Foreign minister Kalonzo Musyoka, backed by key western nations.
He told members of Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement, many of whom shuttle between Nairobi and southern Sudan, to return to their units in preparation for the setting up of government structures.
Dr Garang’ said he was confident the remaining protocols would be signed soon, although secession still remained an option.
The SPLM/SPLA members were told to report back to their units “to wait for further instructions.”
The movement would be transformed to reflect the protocols signed last week in Naivasha, Dr Garang’ said.
“The movement will be robust and more disciplined than when we started it in 1983,” he said.
The return-to-base call went out to all members of SPLM and SPLA worldwide, with the promise they would receive further instructions in their units.
Dr Garang’, in the clearest signal yet of his movements resolve to honour the agreement, told southern Sudanese they would be expected to start implementing the peace protocols in the interim period.
Though Sudan did not yet have a comprehensive peace agreement, the rebel leader said, the movement should be expected to change to suit the new circumstances.
He said that with the signing of six peace protocols in two years, Sudan and the SPLA were entering a new era.
Under the agreement, President Omar el-Bashir is to retain his seat while rebel leader Dr Garang will become the first vice-president.
The current vice-president, Mr Ali Osman Taha, will be second vice-president.
The rebel and the Government forces will merge to form a new 24,000 force army under the agreement
Dr Garang’ explained that there were two remaining “annexes” for the country to get a comprehensive peace deal.
The warring factions were yet to discuss the implementation of a ceasefire and the already signed peace protocols.
Representatives of the two sides would start discussions on the ceasefire on June 22.
He was confident peace would return to the country, which had been torn apart by two long-running civil wars pitting the government based in Khartoum and southern Sudanese.
Dr Garang said: “The six protocols so far signed contain all we have been fighting for in the 21-year war. Signing of protocols is not only a precursor for the end of war, but a sign of good things to come. This indicates a paradigm of change.”
In his first meeting with Sudan citizens since the signing of the three protocols in Naivasha five days ago, the rebel leader warned that no SPLM member should go to the Government controlled regions inside Sudan.
“Don’t assume that because we have signed these documents you can start going to Khartoum, Juba or any other government controlled area,” he said.
Dr Garang’ said the six protocols so far signed restored the dignity of the people of South Sudan.
“We shall never accept to be fossilised in the south. The south still retains the option of seceding through an internationally monitored referendum.”