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Sudan Tribune

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Khartoum not ready for war, adviser says

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 22, 2010 (JUBA) – An advisor on security affairs to president of southern Sudan, John Kong Nyuon, on Thursday urged the region not to believe statements attributed to senior officials from Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) that the north and south may return to war.

Sudanese army soldiers stand at attention during a a military ceremony August 2007.
Sudanese army soldiers stand at attention during a a military ceremony August 2007.

Tensions are rising in Sudan ahead of referenda in January that will determine whether the south secedes and whether the oil-rich region of Abyei remains in the north or joins what could be a newly-independent south.

The plebiscites were agreed as part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the NCP and the former rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) who have governed the south since the deal.

The north-south conflict lasted over two decades, around 2 million were killed and 4 million forced to leave their homes.

Both sides have accused the other of being responsible for the delays to the referenda, especially in the case of Abyei.

Accusations over troop deployment on the north-south border and Abyei have become increasingly bitter over the last few weeks.

Nyuon in his statement was especially critical of former Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Osman Ismail for his comments on 30 September, asking students to prepare for war.

“The most irritating one was the statement which called on youth and students from higher learning institutions in the north to prepare for war in case the south secedes, by Mustafa Osman Ismail, a presidential advisor and Secretary General for external relations in the National Congress Party.”

The southern special advisor believes that the NCP are making the statements in an attempt to get the south to vote for unity rather than independence.

“These are just political propagandas. They are not prepared for any war at all because they know they will not fight [as] it […] was in the past. What they are making these days is a simple oratory of intimidation to scar potential southern voters in the north to vote against their will in favor of unity,” said Nyuon.

The senior government official made the remarks while addressing representatives of traditional leaders from greater Upper Nile in his residence on Thursday evening.

He also urged traditional leaders to encourage internal displaced persons still in the north to return before the referendum assisted government of south Sudan.

Nyuon, said that even if war did breakout the Khartoum based NCP did not have the ability to win as they had left themselves in “an isolated triangle.”

He pointed to the ongoing conflict in the western region of Darfur as an example of how the Khartoum has failed to win military confronations.

“Can Khartoum really win a war involving four regions? Will they really win any war? They may have been lucky in the past to use marginalized groups and people by using disgruntled individuals from corners of Sudan to fight their wars. But this is not what the current situation tells.” said Nyuon.

Speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, chief Duer Riak Kong, commended southern President Salva Kiir Mayardit for organizing the recently concluded Southern Sudan Political Parties’ conference and for issuing an executive order to pardon ex-military officers who have fought against the southern army the SPLA.

“We sincerely thank president Kiir for organizing an all political parties’ conference and for issuing presidential order pardoning all those whose forces might have clashed with SPLA forces,” said chief Kong.

“This is a wise and unifying decision. South Sudan needs each and everyone to take part in the successful conduct of the forthcoming referendum,” he added.

The south is widely expected to vote for independence in the poll due to begin 9 January 2011.

(ST)

9 Comments

  • Anyang
    Anyang

    Khartoum not ready for war, adviser says
    No Mr advisor, you got it wrong, don’t let yourself be fool once again like your like, your post need a wise man from a wise community background to get the job done of which I gust you are fitted with.

    Reply
  • Kur William
    Kur William

    Khartoum not ready for war, adviser says
    Thank very much Mr advisor John Kong Nyoun for your bolden message you have sent to citizens of Southern Sudan” of course Northern Sudan is not preparing for war rather of trying to scare certain numbers of people to vote for unity.

    Therefore if we would had known their tactic and then it might be easy for us to go where we believe it might be safe for our prosperity of South; Simply how hard for them to win the war in western region of Darfur ? special thank to inspire leader Late Dr Garang for his incite words Sudan never be same again.Kur

    Reply
  • Adam
    Adam

    Khartoum not ready for war, adviser says
    Dear Southerners,

    It has been stated million times by SPLA/M and NCP, the UN, AU and the US that referendum will be on time. The Referendum Commission has already published the timetables. The VP of the South even went further saying that the GoSS will make funds available (if) the GoNU fails to do so. The West led by the US and the EU should now concentrate on helping the Commission to implement the necessary steps. Funds, training, pulic awareness and deployment of international and local observation teams are decisive. Those who dishonor their commitment in Nivasha (2005) to support the CPA and flush funds to develop the South should not behave irresponsibly this time. We need actions, not political or diplomatic shows.

    It is also very critical that all the procedure should be tightened to ensure peace, freedom and transparency of the referendum processes including the participation of all parties who have the right to take part. South-South Dialogue outcomes were only declarations which need to be seen on the ground. This is urgent and very important.

    As for Abyei issue, I earlier suggested that both NCP and SPLA/M should leave local chiefs resolve their differences as they have been doing for years and decades. Let us remember what Miserriyah did with their brethrens Dinks Ngok in 1905. It was as natural and so wise. Please refer to the British Archives and read history. Let Abyei be Abyei and both GoSS and GoNS should obliged themselves to develop the area and leave the oil for Abyei people – if not all 50% at least. Citizens of Abyei should be both Southerners and Northerners with full rights.

    Frankly speaking, the future is so foggy and fuzzy that SPLA/M cannot deal with the consequences of the separation of the South in isolation of the other Southern political and civic organizations. One should not dream of HEAVEN if the same mistakes made at Nivasha by NCP and SPLA/M are repeated again (cancelling the role of the “other”).

    What the US is trying to do is to conduct an on-time fare referendum that meets the international standards. Please let us make sure that the referendum is conducted in peace, freedom and in the right technical procedure. Not the North, unionist Southerners, the West or the International community would accept the results, if the referendum is tampered with by the NCP or the SPLA/M or whatever.

    Our people deserve to live in peace after more than 50 years of wars and unrest that jeopardized the scarce chances of development and prosperity (CPA was one of the most serious historical chances wasted). We need real help from the international community, but that won’t be possible if we’re so divided like what we’re. The world won’t be able to help those who fail to help themselves.

    LET the poor, the needy, the sick and the underdeveloped true people decide their future. Let war lords enjoy what they have already stolen and let us alone (OR ELSE!).

    Down with all manipulators and dream crushers.

    Adam Milawaki, Kansas City

    Reply
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