S. Sudan’s SPLM urged to “resolve differences peacefully”
November 26, 2013 (JUBA) – Various religious and traditional leaders have called on South Sudan’s ruling Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) party to handle current differences among its senior members with respect and unity in diversity
This month, Kiir announced the dissolution of the SPLM’s structures, adding that this had been forced by the failure to hold a national convention to elect new officials.
The religious and traditional leaders that Sudan Tribune spoke to on Tuesday called on the president to demonstrate leadership and wisdom to peacefully unite all the SPLM members who have expressed dissatisfaction with the system.
“As God’s servants we asked through prayers that may our wish and prayers, fasting and advocacy move our nation to promote peaceful dialogue, as means to resolve all kinds of differences in this country”, said Bishop Isaac Dhieu, an episcopal bishop of Akot diocese in Lakes state’s Rumbek East county.
The religious leader did not, however, make any reference to the current political situation within the leadership of the former rebel movement, sparked by the verbal dissolution of all structures, including the political bureau, which is a high political organ in the party’s hierarchical structure.
Senior government and party officials, including Kiir, initially denied that the structures had been dissolved, but stressed that the legitimacy of continuity after the leadership had failed to conduct its third national convention to elect new leadership had passed the constitutional term and mandates.
The last convention was held in 2008 and the party members expected another convention in May this year, but has been repeatedly delayed and re-scheduled.
Dhieu said all Christians and believers should live together in peace and work in harmony for the betterment of mankind and prosperity, regardless of their race, gender, regions or their traditional heritage and association.
“The Holy Father reminds us that peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected and that all men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace and harmony in any society”, he explained.
Meanwhile Deng Chier Rehan, a traditional leader from Warrap state’s Twic county called on the SPLM leadership to peacefully embrace an inclusive dialogue to resolve differences and ensure that the country continues to achieve social inclusion and sustainable development for all.
“We count all the successes this country had recorded on the current leadership, and it becomes a concern for us as community leaders when we hear that they are not working together in harmony. If they can hear me, I beg them and all those to whom they listen to step in immediately so that situation does not develop into a major concern. I call on these leaders to refrain from act that can threaten the peace and stability that has prevailed over the past years”, appealed traditional leader.
Rehan was speaking to Sudan Tribune during an exclusive interview on Monday in Juba.
The current political crisis was triggered this summer when Machar expressed his interest in replacing Kiir as chairman of the party as well as vying for the presidency.
Kiir responded by replacing his long-serving deputy with James Wani Igga the former speaker of the national parliament and also suspended the SPLM’s secretary general Pagan Amum.
The fall out between Kiir and Machar is being seen by some through the prism of the 1991 split in the SPLM at the height of the civil war. Machar and Lam Akol led the Nasir faction while late John Garang, Kiir and Igga, among other senior serving officials, led the Torit faction.
While Juba, the capital of the new country remained peaceful, observers and independent analysts have expressed fear that the sustained exchange of accusations between leading officials, including president Kiir and his former deputy could ignite tensions and may spur some political unrest.
Deng Mawien Deng, a native of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state currently living in Juba, said he was praying that the leaders see the necessity to peacefully accept dialogue as the best way to resolve their differences.
“Our leaders should demonstrate that they are capable of resolving their differences amicably, without any cause for concern. This country had seen a lot. And I think it is time need to think and work together for the benefit of this new country. The common interest should be placed above individual interest”, Deng told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
Deng, himself a member of the ruling SPLM in the state, attended the governor’s forum in which he observed that majority of the political leaders spent their time discussing the current political developments in the leadership.
“I was at the governor’s forum today after it was officially opened by the president. I was expecting to hear our political leaders discuss importance of the conference or how they will implement the outcomes of the conference later, but unfortunately, I observed that most of the politicians spent much of their time during break discussing current political situation in the country, especially SPLM leadership”, he said
(ST)