Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President of the Republic of the Sudan and
President of the Government of Southern Sudan, October 13, 2010
Opening Address on the Occasion of the Meeting of ‘All Southern Sudanese
Political Parties and Leaders Conference’
Juba, Southern Sudan, Wednesday 13th – 15th October, 2010
- Your Excellencies former Heads of State and Government, Presidents Daniel
- Toroitich Arap Moi of Kenya,
- Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania,
- Thabo Mbeki of Republic of South Africa,
- Distinguished Leaders and Delegates of Political Parties,
- Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
- Representatives of our Development Partners,
- Religious Leaders,
- Representatives of Civil Society,
- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to see all of you in this hall this morning and you are welcome
as a family of leaders of Southern Sudan and as friends close to the heart of
this part of the country. For those of you who may have come to Juba for the
first time, feel at home and for those who have frequented us you are always
most welcome!
This gathering today is a rare one but critical because of current developments
in our country. The Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was signed
on January 9th, 2005, is coming to conclusion in a few months. According to
this historical Accord, on January 9th, 2011 the people of Southern Sudan and
Abyei will vote in referenda to exercise their right to self-determination. The
people of Abyei will be voting to join Southern Sudan while Southern Sudan
itself will be making the choice of either remaining part of the Sudan or opt to
secede and become an independent entity. This is clearly provided for in the
CPA and it is not a matter of interpretation.
Distinguished participants, allow me to point out that this august gathering
should be a reminder to us that we are members of one family, Southern Sudanese
irrespective of political affiliation, creed, ethnicity, or geographical
location. Our destiny is one as a people and we must together work to achieve
our common goals. We are all cognizant that throughout our struggle, each and
every family has lost a soul if not souls, to whom we must always register our
loyalty because without their selfless sacrifices we would not be where we are
now.
Distinguished Leaders,you must have heard from the media that I just returned
from a long trip to the United States of America, in which I met with various
leaders. I was invited by the United Nations Secretary General in New York, Mr.
Ban Ki-Moon and the Security Council, to attend a UN High-Level Meeting on Sudan
which was organized at the brink of the UN General Assembly. All the meetings
went on well and as you must have already heard and read from the media and
press, the full implementation of the CPA up to the timely conduct of the
referenda on January 9th, 2011 received international overwhelming support.
This has been due to clarity of our message: we want peace and no more to war!
The right to self-determination of the people of Southern Sudan and Abyei must
be honored in a referendum to take place on January 9th, 2011. This is the
bottom line and a hard won right whose ultimate price is more than 4 million
lives lost during the long two civil wars since independence in 1956.
This was my message everywhere during the visit and I also expressed words of
gratitude to all the friends without whose altruistic support the CPA could not
have become a reality. Remember it is the pressures from far away that also
contributed immensely to the signing of the CPA. Thus, as we gather here today,
we should not lose sight of the much needed support of the region, the
international community, civil society organizations, the Churches and all
people of goodwill. Such continued interest and support remains critical more
than ever in the testing months ahead.
will remain so in the months ahead. When we met in Nairobi for the first time
in early 2005 we all pledged to support and protect the CPA by signing the
covenant. We recommitted ourselves here in Juba in 2008 to abide by the rules
and we are coming to its conclusion in a period less than one year. During this
period we shall be faced with the challenge of organizing the referenda, that of
Southern Sudan and Abyei, and to also press for the implementation of the
Popular Consultations for the people of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
The challenges ahead should constitute the agenda for discussions in the next
three days. Therefore, I would like to point out the following:
1. This meeting is about the future of Southern Sudan, which is greater
than the interest of each and every one of us as individuals and as political
parties. We want to build consensus in order to guarantee a free, fair,
transparent and peaceful referendum exercise throughout Southern Sudan and
Abyei. This is our collective responsibility as a people and Southern Sudan
belongs to all of us.
2. We want to enlighten Southern Sudanese eligible voters to fully
understand the process and the decision they will make in the exercise of the
right to self-determination. Thus, there is need to stand together as Southern
Sudanese to educate our people fully about the importance of this event because
unlike elections that constitutionally occurs on term basis this exercise is
once and for all in a life time. It is a golden opportunity that must not be
never be forgiven by future generations.
3. It is such deep thought and understanding that brought me and brother Dr
Lam Akol together last Saturday 09/10/2010 as you saw it in the media and
press. Political differences should not become obstacle to the general public
good and interest.
4. Similarly, I also declared amnesty for all those who took up arms after
the elections like Gen George Athor and also for members of Other Armed Groups
(OAGs) of Gen Gordon Koang Chol and Gen Gabriel Tangginya. They should all lay
down their arms and join Southern Sudanese in this historical event so that
together we collectively determine our destiny.
5. Politically, we are a democratic system of government embedded in our
Interim Constitution. No one should ever be mistaken to contemplate that we may
be gathering here to abolish political parties. No! Even attempts to merge
political parties should be discouraged save for legitimate alliances that are
based on synergy. The main objective for gathering here together as Southern
Sudanese leaders from various political parties is to build the much needed
consensus about the future of Southern Sudan.
6. Following the UN High-Level Meeting on Sudan in New York, there has been
meeting of minds worldwide as you may have heard from the pronouncements of
various leaders about the timely conduct of the referenda in Southern Sudan and
Abyei. Now if such consensus has already been built at the international level
why would Southern Sudanese leaders opt to contradict the future of their
people?
7. I am convinced that you will all agree with me that the destiny of
Southern Sudan belongs to all the people of Southern Sudan. If Southern Sudan
secedes in the forthcoming referendum it will not be a nation that belongs to
one party, region, ethnic group, or religion but to all of us. If we squandered
this opportunity, we will remain in the wrong annals of history and the
likelihood of many lives being lost is high because the emotions of the people
are charged. This therefore morally demands for responsible leadership and some
level of sacrifice.
8. I would like us all to come up with common principles and together agree
to facilitate peaceful, free, fair, timely, efficient and democratic process.
This is critical to determine the credibility of the outcome acceptable to all,
particularly meeting the standards of the international community. It is in our
interest to ensure credible referenda in Southern Sudan and Abyei.
Distinguished Leaders, as I make these statements, I am conscious of the fact
that after the elections feelings were hurt because there are those who won and
they celebrated and those who lost they agonized and even led to some
individuals taking up arms. In the spirit of reconciliation I appeal to all of
us to forget the past and let us seize this moment to take the collective
responsibility to guarantee the future of our people. At this hour, we must
pass the test of unity and nationhood so as to prove many wrong especially those
who floated the idea of Southern Sudan becoming a failed state.
Moreover, having differences of opinion does not necessarily disqualify a people
from determining their future. Therefore we should live beyond the petty
quarrels for survival. We have an opportunity to show to the world that we are
ready and I have pointed it out in the past that Southern Sudan is more prepared
than some African countries at independence with the exception of South Africa.
divisions and disunity amongst us Southern Sudanese. Life is precious and
sacred and it should not be sacrificed for the selfish aims of political
leaders. I also urge all of us to remain vigilant and guard against war mongers
who have not and will not even touch the gun in their life time. I appeal to
the gallant armies of the Sudan and all able bodied persons to shun war and
value life of their children, women and the old in society. I would like us to
honor our distinguished African leaders present here with us today by resolving
never to be divided again!
Today, we are left with less than 88 days to reach the vital moment of our
history, an extraordinary moment indeed in the history of Africa, January 9th,
2011 the day of the conduct of the referendum in Southern Sudan. We must not
let the enemies of peace and spoilers to disrupt the momentous event. As I
said, the referendum is a golden opportunity for us and let us work together to
let our people make an informed choice of either unity of the Sudan or
secession. A leveled ground should be provided for all options during the
campaign for unity and secession. Therefore, I want to urge all of us here that
our unity and consensus is very critical for the realization of this goal.
that we work harder to overcome any limitations in order to fulfil the
obligation of letting our people to exercise the right to self-determination.
The measure of credibility of the vote should be clear and understood
beforehand. I have assured the international community that we are working for
a vote that will represent fairly the views of the people. This should be the
measure of the legitimacy of the process. It is not realistic, however, to
demand perfection but it is in our interest that a free, fair and transparent
process is put in place.
As I said several times, to us the timing of the referenda is Devine. We are
pleased and welcome the referendum timeline issued by the Southern Sudan
our financial obligations to the Commission to enable the process proceed
without any further delays.
At this juncture, allow me now to explain to you about our preparations. The
Government of Southern Sudan is preparing the referendum process at the same
time negotiating the post referendum arrangements. We have approached these
negotiations with seriousness and good intentions. We are genuinely willing to
negotiate with our brothers in the North, and are prepared to work in a spirit
of partnership to create sustainable relations between Northern and Southern
Sudan for the long-term.
It is in our interest to see that the North remains a viable state, just as it
should be in the interest of the North to see Southern Sudan emerge a viable one
too. We have been negotiating fairly and consistent with international law. We
will work to preserve and enhance the livelihoods of all Sudanese people,
including those depending on traditional migrations across the North/South
border. The issues are very clear and should not be made to become obstacles
for the conduct of the referenda. These are issues dealing with Citizenship and
nationality; Natural resources and financial matter; Security; and International
treaties. They have been elaborated several times in the past and I will not
dwell again to belabor myself. What is required is a mutual agreement that is
satisfactory to all but with consideration of justice. We believe that there is
a very real opportunity to demonstrate how two states can work together
cooperatively to bring economic prosperity to both of their nations in the event
of secession.
I would like to emphasize about the safety and rights of Southerners in the
North and safety and rights of Northerners in the South, as well as for the
peoples who have traditionally travelled through the border areas, to be fully
protected. On our side, I have reiterated that we are committed to provide and
guarantee adequate security for all Sudanese in a manner that respects the rule
of law and the rights and freedoms of all individuals, no matter what their
tribe, origin, religion, party or ethnicity. We look for a reciprocal
commitment from our brothers in the North.
I cannot end my opening remarks without pointing out the issues of Abyei, where
stability now and in the future depends. I urge our partners to implement the
Permanent Court of Arbitration’s (PCA) decision. We do not want Abyei to become
the potential trigger for conflict again between the South and the North. The
SPLM and the NCP met in Addis Ababa in the last few days but failed to agree on
the way forward on this issue. I mentioned it before and I will repeat again
that there is no reverse to war because of the lack of implementation of the
Abyei Protocol and other Protocol. Therefore let us all work for peaceful
settlement of all issues so as to guarantee mutual respect and good
neighborliness. I have repeated it several times that even if the South
secedes, it will not relocate from where it is located now.
referendum, I hope that my remarks have laid down some basis of building this
consensus. It is my belief that the pillars of this consensus would certainly
include:
· Respect for each other – we should respect each other including our
political parties, programs and views. Nevertheless the views and ideals of
parties should not be those that incite the people or promote hatred and
violence.
· The Spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation – let us not look
backward but rather focus on the future. We should use past mistakes to perfect
future vision. This is what will constitute our maturity, which will in turn be
the basis for other people to respect us. Let us forgive one another and
pursue common goals and interest to better the livelihood of our people.
· Dialogue is the other pillar – as social beings we will always pursue
interests that clash. The only way out is to manage such individual conflict of
interest through dialogue and openness. Never harbour or accumulate differences
because they will often explode. Share difficulties and seek counsel from your
friends in order to avoid unnecessary conflict.
outcome of the referendum. We have achieved a lot in the past few years since
the CPA was signed, but we still have a lot of work before us after the
referendum. We are committed to establishing transparent and accountable
government consistent with the requirements of statehood. We will uphold
democratic principles and guarantee all kinds of freedom for all our diverse
communities. I urge you all to work with us to ensure that these ideals and
goal are achieved.
As Southern Sudanese, together let us defend the rights of our people and Long
live the CPA!
Long live the memories of our martyrs!
We remain committed to freedom and peace for our country, the region and the
world!
I now declare this Consensus Conference opened.
Thank you for listening and May God bless us and bless Southern Sudan!
