S. Sudanese activist seeks global intervention over 28 new states
November 2, 2015 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese human rights activist has petitioned regional and the global community to pressure President Salva Kiir into reversing a directive he issued a month ago on creation of 28 states in the world’s youngest nation.
“The creation of twenty-eight states goes against the spirit and the letter of the peace agreement signed. It is a clear violation and its unacceptable”, Deng wrote in the petition.
“During the 20-month peace talks, as you well know, the opposition submitted a proposal to create 21 federal states based on the former British colonial districts but president Salva Kiir and his government refused,” he added.
Deng accused president Kiir and his government of attempting to drag the country again after refusing to accept adoption and implementation of the federal system before subjecting it to an all-inclusive consultation during the making of permanent constitution process after peace.
“President Kiir rejected the proposal, saying South Sudan was not ready for federalism or the creation of more states. Yet now he unilaterally decreed the creation of 28 new states! This unwarranted action has divided and torn apart many communities in South Sudan who have been living peacefully alongside each other for ages and since time immemorial. Among other problems with this plan, President Salva Kiir has by his unilateral action divided the historical and long established Shilluk Kingdom of Greater Upper Nile in two, and placed the Shilluk people at the mercy of his Dinka tribe in each new state. This is a recipe for further catastrophe. The peace-loving Shilluk people, are at this moment preparing for war”, partly reads the 29 October petition.
Deng claimed Kiir is responsible for continuation of war when South Sudanese were yearning for peace, reconciliation and the majority were in need of food and shelter.
“The people of South Sudan need reconciliation, peace and security. They need food and shelter, schools and hospitals, stability and development. Instead, we have a war mongering President who refuses to abide by his own commitments and by the established international norms and standards”, he further wrote.
The letter urges the global leaders to stand up against the establishment order and compel president Kiir to implement the peace agreement to avert another disaster resulting from resistance to creation of more states without popular consultation involving the people and the country.
“Our people, who have already been through so much horror and suffering, are bracing for yet more disaster, it is time for the world powers to stand up to Salva Kiir and compel him to implement the Peace Agreement he signed to its spirit and letter. Or step aside to give space for a true, reliable and credible South Sudanese leadership committed to peace, reconciliation and stability for our country”, he added.
Deng was one of the South Sudanese in the United States who advocated for peace to come to the country. The activist said he went on hunger strike in May this year to draw world attention and attract sympathy from President Barrack Obama.
“In May of this year, here in the United States, I went on a hunger strike in front of the White House and the United Nations specifically asking President of the United States Barack Obama to get personally involved and become engaged in the ongoing peace process. During my 45-day hunger strike, the White House finally did announce that the President would add Addis Ababa to the itinerary of his African trip. Hoping that this signaled exactly what I was asking for, I chose then to end my hunger strike. I believed that the President by going to Addis Ababa with South Sudan at the top of his agenda would presage a solution to the crisis supported by the most powerful country in the world,” said Deng.
Unfortunately, since the president’s journey to Ethiopia, the facts on the ground in South Sudan have not improved. Indeed, the situation has gotten much worse”, his letter added.
However, the presidency said the order was popular and would not be reversed despite the mounting pressure on the South Sudan leader from within and outside the country.
(ST)