South Sudan opposition parties seek unity against 28 states

October 27, 2015 (JUBA) – A national alliance of 18 South Sudanese opposition political parties have launched a country-wide campaign against what they described as the “unconstitutional” unilateral creation of 28 states by a presidential order and urged citizens to oppose its implementation.

President Salva Kiir on 2 October issued an executive order, directing creation of 28 new states from the current constitutionally recognized 10 states. The controversial order, which was earlier to be implemented without parliamentary approval was tabled before the parliament for endorsement last week.

The order faced stiff resistance from the armed opposition faction of SPLM-IO, led by former vice president, Riek Machar, former detainees led by former secretary general, Pagan Amum, civil society organizations, IGAD regional bloc and the wider international community.

All the opponents cited violations of the country’s transitional constitution, 2011, and the recent peace agreement signed in August on the basis of the current 10 states by rival warning parties.

However, the government said it will go ahead with the implementation of the new states despite the growing opposition.

The alliance of the main opposition parties led by Lam Akol said they have put in place strategic plans seeking support from other political forces and members of the general public to convince the Supreme Court of South Sudan to stay presidential order.

“It is the responsibility of all of us, whether as political parties, as civil society, as churches, whether as Muslims or Christians and whether as government supporters or ordinary citizens, to come out with one voice and tell the government and the supreme court that this order should be suspended,” Martin Abe Aligo, secretary general of alliance of 18 political parties told Sudan Tribune in an interview on Tuesday.

“The court should stay the order in the interest of peace, unity of our people and the country,” he said.

The alliance, according to the leading opposition figure, is also working hard to bring a change of the system and to install a new recognizing and embracing pluralism, free speech, expression and the right to assemble and advocate for political programs.

He added that this aims at addressing the common interest of the people and promote strong bilateral relations with neighbouring countries and the region.

“There is a clear vision for this which we are working hard to achieve. Our vision is to create an opportunity for all South Sudanese to create a political order that is based on the consent of all the people and replace the outdated hegemonic culture of a single group dominating the rest,” said Aligo.

The new vision, he explained, is to dismantle and establish a just, fair and democratic political order, where the respect of human rights and the rule of law are genuinely granted to all.

The group, he added, has been conducting diplomatic, advocacy, media and other campaigns to change the current undemocratic political culture and oppressive system in the country.

It is unclear whether the Supreme Court will stay the presidential order, with critics suggesting that the president of the highest court had already pre-empted the court’s decision in support of the 28 states when he as chairman of a Dinka community in Warrap state promised support the president’s decision.

The armed opposition, SPLM-IO, warned that the unilateral creation of the 28 states will jeopardize the peace agreement which was based on the current 10 states, calling on the government to suspend it.

(ST)