South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
By Ngor Arol Garang
October 1,2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s official opposition the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for Democartic Change (SPLM-DC), said Saturday it has completed preparations to receive its party chairman, Lam Akol, on Sunday.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Juba town, Onyoti Adigo, the leader of the opposition group in the National Legislative Assembly, congratulated Kiir and Akol for attempting to reconcile their political differences.
The senior member of the opposition party explained that the initiative taken by the two leaders shows their commitment to building a new nation as united leaders for the common good of South Sudanese people.
South Sudan became independent in July as part of a 2005 peace deal between the Sudan People’s Libertation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP).
In 2009, Akol split from the SPLM to form SPLM-DC. Elections in 2010 saw an overwhelmingly SPLM victory in South Sudan but despite complaining of harassment the SPLM-DC still managed to become the largest opposition party.
“For us in the SPLM-DC executive council, the coming together of the two leaders means unity, development, prosperity and commitment to fighting for reforms, fight corruption, security, good governance, transparency and accountability”, he said
He commended President Kiir Mayardit for accepting dialogue and opening up to a more multiparty system in the new Republic of South Sudan. The SPLM, the former rebel movement, has dominated South Sudanese politics since its inception in 1983.
Adigo described Kiir’s decision to reconcile with Akol as wise and moving in the right direction for the country.
He said the decision has been welcomed with joy and happiness by south Sudanese both at home in the diaspora because the initiative is seen as historic development for unity amongst the leaders of the new independent country.
He called on South Sudanese to turn to receive the opposition leader upon his arrival at Juba International Airport on Sunday.
“We very much value support of our people that we would like to call upon responsible and concerned citizens of South Sudan to turn up tomorrow for reception of one of our leaders. Doing so would should sign of hope, equality, peaceful co-exist and prosperity for all irrespective of where we comes or political affiliation,” explained senior member of the opposition party.
Adigo said people especially the politicians from the SPLM should see Akol as a leader for all South Sudanese and not as an opposition leader.
He encouraged all citizens to stay away from tribal politics and embark on making peaceful initiatives to resolve differences in the way Kiir and Akol had done.
“We have come long way as people of common interest and one destiny. If we managed to fight during the war as one people and voted as block during referendum which brought us this independence why not afford leaving behind our past differences and come together in supporting democratic reform process to install good governance and system of accountability”, Adigo said.
(ST)
Julia Anok
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
I for one don’t support any of splm parties but what we most like is splm Dc to keep an eye open for south sudan cost. Iam not a big fan of splm Dc but I like what splm Dc is doing by keeping to it toes notorios splm party.
Ayuel Bong
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
People of south sudan have any problem for anyone of southern sudanese to come back home like Dr.Lam Akol to practice his political but people of south sudan have asked him to correct himself before he puts his feet on southern shore because he gave his speech during his interview at Kenya claiming that Juba had spent 90% of the budget so please we do not want the language of the divide!
Acuil
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
I would like to welcome the return of Dr. Lam Akol and any South Sudanese back to South Sudan.
I would also like the SPLM to keep away from what their country men and women don’t like in regard to the way they are running the country.
Peter Mawic
May God bless the
I’m very delighted for Dr.Akol return back to Juba to joint the new nation, nation building. I personally congratulated the President of Republic of Soutth Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit for his charismatic leadership in south Sudan. I, Peter Mawic is proud of him because he is not the president of ingorance,psychological egoist, tribalism, and inner hatre President.he is the president for all people
DENGUE
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Lam Is just joker in Politics, He went and Formed his own tribe men to destablize Upper Nile and South Sudan.
He is coming with all his Militias he trained in Jallian??? All South Sudanese do come back home without fear but he created for himselves.
Never Allow him to leave Juba without clear mission, Otherwise he going to launch Rebellion within Juba, Cautious must be taken!!!!!!!!
DAVID
Mungu Wangu
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Dear,Julia Anok,
You said notorious SPLM,if SPLM-DC was not a notorious government,what led this man to such extent of coming home this time,i wish people should know their weaknesses,
I hate allowing this Lam Akol to step on our soil again,
i love peace but if one says no,than i must follow his foot steps,anyway Kiir is a really pastor,if not no need for him be palyed like a ball by Lam.
kimatong
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
“We very much value support of our people that we would like to call upon responsible and concerned citizens of South Sudan to turn up tomorrow for reception of one of our leaders.” Really?
Onyoti, Mr. Akol is a political opposition leader for your party. Do not expect South Sudanese Citizens to waste their already strained daily live and come to see him at the airport. You can’t be serious.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Dear South Sudanese, It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to comment on Sudan Tribune. This site had been infested with a lot of unprecedented language. I thank ST for taking serious measures to band those unprofessional messages. Back to the article, I want to say that history had been made, but is being hindered by some politicians who want only power.Akol, welcome back home.
Elijha B. Elkan
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Mr. Akol, Why should anyone welcome you back. First he was never elected to any office in the South. As matter of facts, he appointed himself as leader. Akol is black mailing the south government. I have listen to his speeches, and this man have no clue of who he is or what he is talking about. People of South Sudan, especially politician to pay a particular attention to man’s words.
Elijah
shawn adok
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
you dont know what are u talking about man because look at all the your leaders all of them are going to jail. so what Lam did wrong like them? you will see sooner man watch out
Henry Koor
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Welcome back Dr. Akol, it is not a surprise to see him coming back after failing to destabilise south Sudan, after saying suoth Sudan will be like Somalia after independence, now he is eating his own words.
Akol is welocme he deffected in 1991 and was welcomed back, now this is the second welcome and he will still deffect if he can’t get a leadership in next election.
bmb
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Why is Lam Akol returns is such a big deal? As far as I am concern he was never forced into exile in the first place. Those who are familiar with Lam’s background as a politician aren’t surprise by his decision to relocate to Juba. He has done it many times that people even lost count. It will be a matter of time before he changes his tactics again.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Hello Mr. Ayuel Bong. I quite agree with you. The amnesty called for by President Kiir did not mentioned that political leaders who deserted the country should correct themselves before they come back. South Sudanese is their home and they can always correct themselves at home regardless of their disloyalty to our nation. It is true Juba has spent 90% of development wealth.Non has been done yet.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
@ Anok, that is your personal point of view and position not to like SPLM party. However, SPLM is the founding party in the South which fought for the freedom of our new nation; even Dr. Akol will not denounce SPLM as a party. He can disagree with SPLM policies but not as a party government the country. I have nothing to say about SPLM-DC party because its reputations will speak for it as a party.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Bmb, I agree with you; people should not let be bother by the return of addicted defactor leader. You said it right that, “he was never forced into exile in the first place.” He left on his own term and did what he did whether it was bad or good he chose to do it. Now that we are free nation, Mr. Akol has to decide, whether to remain exclusive from the South or join to lead his party in So. Sudan.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Hello Elijah. I do not think welcoming Mr. Akol to the South should be an issue to anybody. He wasn’t evicted out of South Sudan. He chose his political path; pick a location to run his party. What we should be concern is, how he is going to conduct himself in the South. Whether or not he was elected to any office, South Sudan is a country of democracy. It isn’t Khartoum being rule with iron fist.
Peter Nhiany
South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
Hello shawn adok. I know how you feels when your party is attacks for inconsistencies or for not fulfilling its political obligations. I don’t want to refer to David’s comment, but I just want to say that, there is no joke in South Sudan. We re going to get real, sincere and tough. No one should be favored regardless. Money looters will be punished as well as those who incite violent.no defense.