CLOSING REMARKS OF
H.E. GENERAL SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT
President of the Government of South Sudan at the 8th
Governors’ Forum
Theme: Laying Foundation for a Strong, Vibrant and Peaceful Post-Referendum Southern Sudan
Juba – October 30, 2010
President Kiir delivering his closing remarks on the occasion of 8th
Governors’ Forum, Juba – October 30, 2010
Pictures By Larco Lomayat
· H.E Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr
Riek Machar Teny
· The Rt. Honorable Deputy Speaker, Daniel Awet Akot
· Deputy Speakers of the National Legislature
· Leaders of Political Parties
· Presidential Advisors
· Ministers at all levels of Government
· State Governors
· Distinguished Guests
· Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to hear that during the last three days of this 8th
Governors Forum, you were able to engage in frank and constructive
deliberations. I could not attend the opening in person, because I was in
Khartoum to attend the Presidency meeting which discussed various issues
of national importance.
Although I was not here in person, I was able to follow your
deliberations with keen interest. I am pleased to learn that the
presentations made by our State Governors were very wonderful. I
congratulate all the Governors for the achievements of their respective
states during the short period they spent in Office.
The key emerging issues you have identified in this Forum, and the
recommendations and resolutions adopted are all very important. The key
issues raised by this Forum pertaining to security and referendum are
very important and need to be addressed urgently.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
The Governors’ forum is a reflection of our continuous commitment to
promote constructive dialogue on all issues pertaining to
decentralization and good governance. It enables the different levels of
government and institutions to jointly address issues of common interest
and build harmonious intergovernmental relations.
Decentralization is a very complex process that no country in the world
can ever claim to have accomplished 100%. There will always be overlaps
in competencies by the different government levels. There will always be
complaints against the higher level of government regarding
centralization of powers. There will be complaints against the lower level
of government for lack of capacity. And there will be complaints regarding
equitable sharing of revenue and other resources. The list can go on and
on.
What this Forum therefore intends to achieve, is to provide an
appropriate venue for expressing such views and complaints, and to find
amicable and workable solutions to address them.
I think we in this Forum, can all agree that since the creation of the
Governors’ Forum in 2006, a lot has been achieved in the areas of the
decentralization of powers, sharing of resources and effective
coordination between different levels of government and institutions.
This should not however make us become complacent in addressing the
enormous challenges that remain ahead of us.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
As a result of the successive recommendations and resolutions adopted by
this Governors’ Forum, the Government of Southern Sudan and the State
governments have been able to make progress in all areas of governance.
We have made significant progress in public sector reforms including
building the capacity of our human resource and government institutions.
We have improved the standards of our roads and communications. We have
taken measures to improve security for our people. We have increased
Block and Conditional transfers from GOSS to the States. We have
increased the delivery of education and health services. And efforts have
been exerted towards improving agricultural production to ensure food
security.
These are great achievements that deserve our acknowledgment and
appreciation. However, all these would have not been possible without our
collective hard-work and commitment.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
Recently, I attended the meeting of the Presidency in Khartoum where we
discussed various outstanding issues including the 2011 Southern Sudan
referendum and Abyei. The Presidency directed the harmonization of press
releases pertaining to thereferendum, becauseSoutherners are reportedly
running away fromthe North and Northerners running away from the South.
It is important that both the National and Southern Sudan Governments
re-assure both communities that they will be provided full protection
during and after the referendum.Our position in the Government of
Southern Sudan has been clearly stated in several occasions that
Northerners living in Southern Sudan will be fully protected. We continue
to call on the National Government to do the same.
The Presidency also resolved to demarcate the agreed area of 450 km of
the north-south border, which is located in the north-eastern part of
Southern Sudan. The Presidency has not reached agreement on Abyei issue,
and the SPLM and NCP are expected to continue with further discussions on
the outstanding issues. The two parties are also continuing their
negotiations on post-referendum arrangments.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
Although we are now left with only 70 days for the conduct of the
referendum, the Presidency was not able to approve the budget of the
Southern Sudan Referendum Commission. The budget has been referred to a
committee for final preparations.
Given our unwavering position in the Government of Southern Sudan that
the referendum must be conducted on 9th January, 2011, it is our
collective responsibility to do everything possible to facilitate the
timely conduct of the referendum.
We must therefore mobilize any resources neccessary to support the
Southern Sudan Referendum Commission through the Southern Sudan
Referendum Bureau to enable it conduct the referendum on 9th January,
2011.
In this regard, the concerned Ministries and institutions in the
Government of Southern Sudan and States must take this directive very
seriously. I believe that our people are prepared to for-go even one
month salary for the sake of holding the referendum in time, should
funding become the main excuse for those who want the referendum to be
delayed or cancelled.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
As you depart from this Forum, I would like you to immediately embark on
mobilizing our people in the states to register. It is also vital for
them to understand the implications of registering and not turning up to
vote. We must as a matter of urgency address any security concerns in
order to create a conducive environment for the conduct of a free, fair
and transparent referendum. In order to ensure security, our police must
have the necessary support and facilitation to cover all areas of the
State. This is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Internal
Affairs, but of the states as well. The two levels of government need to
work collaboratively throughout the referendum period.
The referendum taskforce and MPs should step-up their activities to
sensitize our people on the two options of unity and secession. The two
sides must be permitted and facilitated to present their views equally.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
We must continue to cement unity among the people of Southern Sudan, and
guard against attempts by those who plan day and night to divide us.
You may be aware that certain media houses in Khartoum are deliberately
spreading cheap propaganda alleging divisions within the Government of
Southern Sudan and the SPLM.
They have even gone further by manufacturing differences between me and
my Vice President by attributing certain comments on me against Dr Riek
Machar and even our great hero Dr John Garang.
I simply see all these as a desperate attempt by a group of people who
have run out of ideas and strategies to undermine the timely conduct of
the referendum.
No amount of propaganda can break the will of the people of Southern
Sudan to remain united to confront the challenges associated with the
referendum and beyond. We will not permit anyone to divide the leadership
of the Government and people of Southern Sudan.
The people of Southern Sudan are committed to determine their political
destiny in a free, fair and transparent referendum on 9th January, 2011.
They are free to choose whether to remain in a united Sudan, or form a
new state. They are therefore the only judges on this, and no amount of media
stories or press statements can alter this fact.
I therefore call upon the people of the Sudan and all political forces in
the country to respect and abide-by the will and choice of the people of
Southern Sudan in 2011.
* Ladies and Gentlemen
As regards to the resolutions you have adopted in this 8th Governors’
Forum, I expect all the concerned institutions to implement them in
letter and spirit. Although it may not be possible to implement some of
them due to financial constraints, all efforts must be exerted to
implement those that are practically feasible.
In conclusion, I would like to commend the Vice President Dr Riek Machar
Teny, and all the organizers of this 8th Governors’ Forum for ensuring
its successful conclusion.
I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Governors, Ministers,
Legislatures, Development Partners and all invited guests for their
effective participation and contribution. I thank UNDP for its continuous
support to the Governors’ Forum.
I wish all Governors’ and their Ministers a safe return to their
respective states.
With these remarks, I declare this 8th Governors’ Forum Closed.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL