South Sudan refutes Salva Kiir’s statement on separation

By James Gatdet Dak
November 2, 2009 (JUBA) – The minister of Information and Broadcasting and official spokesperson in the Government of Southern Sudan, Paul Mayom Akech has refuted media reports that the semi-autonomous region’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit had called on the people of Southern Sudan to vote for separation in the 2011 referendum.
Sudan’s First Vice President reportedly told a church congregation in Juba, that to vote for a united Sudan would be like voting for “second class” citizenship.
“When you reach your ballot boxes the choice is yours: you want to vote for unity so that you become a second class in your own country, that is your choice,” Kiir said addressing worshippers Saturday at Juba cathedral.
“If you want to vote for independence so that you are a free person in your independent state, that will be your own choice and we will respect the choice of the people,” he stressed.
Mayom said the media distorted the President’s statement, which he explained was just a reference to a statement by late Dr. John Garang de Mabior.
“This was a statement made by our late chairman, Dr. John Garang de Mabior in his speech during the signing of the CPA in 2005. Therefore it shouldn’t be stated as propaganda,” he said.
He explained that what the president had said was about the “right of the people of Southern Sudan to choose…and the right to vote…and to vote for the two options; confirming unity or secession.”
Southern Sudan minister for presidential affairs, Luka Biong said in Juba that Kiir meant to ensure southerners of his support to their choice in the two options adding that if they are not satisfied with the implementation of the CPA and opt for independence he would support their choice.
Kiir’s remarks were criticized by the National Congress Party in Khartoum and described it as amounting to “backtracking on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)”.
However, Mayom added that Kiir has the right to express his position when the time comes. “As a president and leader of the people that is equally his right. But he didn’t come out by the way of propagating. He will one day be heard in stating his actual position,” he said.
He added it was not right “to jump up and cause noise and havoc about his [Kiir] position…in reference to statement by our late leader, Dr. John Garang de Mabior.”
The SPLM and NCP are at a downturn in their relationship after the SPLM members boycotted the parliament because of disagreements over draft laws.
Speaking to the Associated Press from Khartoum where he is negotiating the referendum bill, GOSS Vice-President and SPLM deputy chairman Riek Machar said Kiir comments are “an expression of how south Sudanese people are getting frustrated,” adding “People want to see the peace dividends, the country reconciling and development.”
Darfur rebels who are fighting against Khartoum government in the restive western Sudan also called on southern Sudan leader to stick the unity of the country adding the NCP government does not represent the Sudanese people.
Justice and Equality Movement and Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur showed their understanding to Kiir’s remarks on the southern Sudan self determination but said this option should be rather a reason for a united Sudan.
Al-Nur, who was a close ally to the father of the “New Sudan” vision and SPLM founder the late John Garang, yesterday told Sudan Tribune about his support to southern Sudanese right for self-determination. He however expressed wishes that it would lead to voluntary unity.
The Sudanese opposition parties also regretted Kiir’s call for separation as they supported the ruling party of the semi-autonomous region in the past.
(ST)