South Sudan Dep. Speaker urges youth to swap suits for military uniform
April 13, 2012 (JUBA) – As the fall out from the clashes on the Sudan-South Sudan border continues both countries have launched recruitment and mobilisation drives to boost their militaries and aligned armed groups.
On Thursday the speaker of S
Hundreds of South Sudanese youth went ontopopped up after the president Salva Kiir finished delivering his speech at the parliament and matched in the city holding up the country’s flag and shouting “SPLA Oyee, bravo SPLA”, said war has not been the choice of their government but if it has been brought to them then they do not have any other option than joining the army to fight.
“We have never supported return to war as it has been the position of our president but if Sudan has decided to invade our country, we shall all die with our army”, said Alfred Sebit Wani from Central Equatoria State at the National Legislative Assembly.
“We cannot fold our arms to be killed nor can’t afford allowing our land to be invaded. We will die defending it”, he said.
In another separate address by the country’s deputy speaker of the national parliament, members of the parliament and youth groups vowed to remove their suits and put military uniforms to lead operations against foreign aggression with immediate effect.
“Those calling on us to withdraw our troops are the same people who have never responded our calls on Sudan to withdraw their troops from Abyei. They are the same people who are reluctant to exert pressure on Khartoum to demarcate the borders. They are the same people who do not see attack by the Sudanese army on our territories not an aggression. Not a violation of national sovereignty of an independent state. Where is justice, asked Deniel Awet Akot”, deputy speaker of the National Assembly?
Akot wondered why the South would withdraw its troops within her territory. Mobilize yourselves and join us in the assembly”, he said expressing confidence that his country is ready to defeat aggressors and invaders from all the territories held by Sudan. Akot said it is not the wish of South Sudan to return to war with Sudan but Sudan decides we will never relinquish defending our territories.
“Our choice has always been peaceful dialogue. This does not mean we are not capable to defending ourselves but if it has been misunderstood and used against us by extremists in Khartoum then why should we die while we have the right to self defense, said Akot explaining that position taken by the government of Sudan is clear.
“They are not for peace so we have to defend ourselves at any cost”, Akot told parliamentary group collecting contributions to support military operations in the fronts. Members and youth groups told the senior member of the country’s governing party that they will never surrender.
“We know why Sudan is attack us. It is oil but they will never get if they do not approach us with the language of peace”, said Peter Bashir Gbandi, a member of the National Assembly representing Maridi County, Western Equatoria State. Gbandi demanded the house to start immediate contribution to support and raise moral of the army by sending them more supplies.
“We have to do this contribution now not tomorrow”, he demanded amid interruption by youth shouting “SPLA Oyee and carrying placards bearing writings never, never, never we shall never surrender”.
(ST)