S. Sudan opposition apologises for anti-Bashir remarks

June 16, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s main opposition party has distanced itself from a critical comment one of its top official made against the Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir

On 13 June, The Citizen newspaper, reported that Onyoti Adigo Nyikec, a senior member of the Sudan People’s Liberation for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) had allegedly described the Sudanese president as a “crazy” and “emotional” leader who makes public statements without taking into consideration the likely consequences.

But SPLM-DC, in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune, said it regretted the incident, adding that its leadership “respects leaders of other nations”.

The SPLM-DC, a break away from South Sudan-ruling party (SPLM), was formed in 2009.

Deng Bior, party’s acting secretary general said the statements made by Adigo were “provocatively abusive” and that such remarks should not have emanated from such a key figure within the party at time when Sudan and South Sudan were trying to restore normal relations.

“On behalf of SPLM-DC and on my own behalf, I Apologize to the two Presidents of the two sisterly countries for this inconvenience reiterating that our party, the SPLM-DC, respects the leaders of other Nations as other Nations also respect the leader of our Nation”, partly reads the SPLM-DC statement.

The statement against Bashir by the parliamentary leader of minority who represents his party in the parliament, does not represent view point of his party, it stressed.

South Sudan main opposition entity further said it appreciates the leaders of the two countries, especially Salva Kiir for pursuing a peaceful approach to the problems facing the two neighbours.

“We advise, not only The Citizen [newspaper], but other newspapers that not every statement that comes from the mouth of leaders must be published”, Bior said.

On 8 June, Bashir told a rally in Khartoum state that he had ordered his oil minister Awad al-Jaz to block the pipeline carrying landlocked South Sudan’s crude to Red Sea coastal city of Port Sudan, accusing Juba of continuing to support to the Sudanese rebels.

“O’ Awad [oil minister] tomorrow direct oil companies to close the pipeline and after that let them [South Sudan] take it via Kenya or Djibouti or wherever they want to take it”, the Sudanese president said.

“The oil of South Sudan will not pass through Sudan ever again,” Bashir added.

Bashir said that Khartoum previously gave Juba a two weeks ultimatum to suspend its support to Sudan Revolutionary Front whom he described as “traitors” and “mercenaries”.

Juba, however, denies Sudan’s allegations of its alleged rebel support.

(ST)

ST – Sudanese president orders government to block oil flow from South Sudan