South Sudan rebel leader denies rift within SPLM
By Waweru Mugo
NAIROBI, Dec 3, 2004 (East African Standard) — The Sudan Peoples Liberation Army high command has said there is no dissent within its ranks.
Its leader, Dr John Garang (photo), further sought to assure serving military personnel that no one will be sidelined in the build up to peace in Southern Sudan.
Garang, who is also commander-in-chief of the SPLA, announced yesterday that political disquiet within the movement had been clipped in the wings at a three-day consultative and “very successful” meeting of representatives from all its structures.
While acknowledging that a “political virus” had wormed its way into the Movement, Garang said SPLM/A had found it opportune to bring together all its different departments to resolve outstanding differences.
Speaking in Nairobi, Garang said: “We met to resolve internal problems and we emerged (more) stronger and united.”
He said the issue of military disquiet was not among the agendas at the Rumbek meeting and added: “There is no such fear (of the military personnel being shunted aside) to my knowledge. There was not any need to talk about it.”
He was categorical that all the soldiers who have volunteered in the 22-year long war for liberation of Southern Sudan would be rewarded through jobs.
While some among the current serving military personnel would be integrated into the national army (in the larger Sudan), others would be incorporated into the New Sudan army.
He added: “Others will be shifted into the police service, prison, game wardens while others will be incorporated into the civil administration.”
Garang who was flanked by senior SPLA officers added: “They (military officers) will all be without exception be useful during peacetime as they have been useful during (the) war.”
“These are the same officers who have fought and sacrificed their lives for the past 22 years and they are the same ones SPLA will have during peace time.”
He was confident that the government of Sudan will honour the commitment to signing peace by the December 31 deadline set by the UN Security Council in Nairobi.
It was in readiness to the deadline that SPLA/M planned the Rumbek meeting, Garang said.
The meeting brought together over 200 delegates from the various regions in the envisaged New Sudan who deliberated on the two issues that are core to the peace agreement – the comprehensive ceasefire agreement and implementation modalities.
The Sudan Peoples Liberation Army high command has said there is no dissent within its ranks.
Its leader, Dr John Garang, further sought to assure serving military personnel that no one will be sidelined in the build up to peace in Southern Sudan.
Garang, who is also commander-in-chief of the SPLA, announced yesterday that political disquiet within the movement had been clipped in the wings at a three-day consultative and “very successful” meeting of representatives from all its structures.
While acknowledging that a “political virus” had wormed its way into the Movement, Garang said SPLM/A had found it opportune to bring together all its different departments to resolve outstanding differences.
Speaking in Nairobi, Garang said: “We met to resolve internal problems and we emerged (more) stronger and united.”
He said the issue of military disquiet was not among the agendas at the Rumbek meeting and added: “There is no such fear (of the military personnel being shunted aside) to my knowledge. There was not any need to talk about it.”
He was categorical that all the soldiers who have volunteered in the 22-year long war for liberation of Southern Sudan would be rewarded through jobs.
While some among the current serving military personnel would be integrated into the national army (in the larger Sudan), others would be incorporated into the New Sudan army.
He added: “Others will be shifted into the police service, prison, game wardens while others will be incorporated into the civil administration.”
Garang who was flanked by senior SPLA officers added: “They (military officers) will all be without exception be useful during peacetime as they have been useful during (the) war.”
“These are the same officers who have fought and sacrificed their lives for the past 22 years and they are the same ones SPLA will have during peace time.”
He was confident that the government of Sudan will honour the commitment to signing peace by the December 31 deadline set by the UN Security Council in Nairobi.
It was in readiness to the deadline that SPLA/M planned the Rumbek meeting, Garang said.
The meeting brought together over 200 delegates from the various regions in the envisaged New Sudan who deliberated on the two issues that are core to the peace agreement – the comprehensive ceasefire agreement and implementation modalities.