A gathering during the launch of SPLM, CES at Dr John's Mausoleum, Juba [©Gurtong]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole
TORIT, March 1, 2010 (Gurtong) – In his two-hour visit upon his arrival from the South Sudan’s capital, Juba to Torit on Monday, President Al Bashir called for unity among the Sudanese people while charming voters across the country to vote for Salva Kiir Mayardit for the presidency of GoSS and himself for the presidency of the Republic of Sudan so that the 2005 peace deal; Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) can be protected and implemented fully in a bid to foster peace and development in the Sudan.
“We have learnt from the past bitter, unforgettable and haunting lessons where in numerous attempts to resist for changes had resulted into a huge lost of our very daughters & sons in the course of wars. I repeat. … Lets uphold peace by voting for people who admit mistakes and try to focus to lead people to the promised land; new Sudan” , stressed Al Bashir.
Bashir further urged the Sudanese populace to own the 2005 CPA since this does belong neither to Bashir nor to Salva Kiir, not even to any party but to the people of Sudan.
Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Torit Freedom Square amidst ethnic dances performed , Al Bashir reaffirmed his pledges to rehabilitate two hospitals in Torit and Kapoeta respectively in a bid to save people’s lives in the state, following poor health facilities leading to health hazards observed in the whole state.
Al Bashir in his address, also vowed to open up routes in order to improve international trade & cooperation between the state with nations that include Torit-Lokichoggio, Torit-Nimule-Uganda, Torit-Kapoeta-Bor-Malakal-Ethiopia, among others.
Joseph Lagu, the senior Sudanese top figure who was in the company of the president, reiterated one of NCP objectives in partnership with SPLM as consolidating peace & improving people’s lives especially living standard.
According to reliable sources, Al Bashir’s address in Torit, came for the second time after thesigning of the comprehensive peace agreement in 2005.
The president, who was received and warmly welcomed by the caretaker Governor Johnson Juma Okot, was accompanied by various officials who among others included the two former presidents of Sudan namely; Joseph Lagu and Suradab plus high security organs.
Al Bashir stressed that the South must be connected to the North to form a new Sudan appealing to the People of South Sudan to welcome the new Sudan through unity which according to him shall be realized in the imminent 2011referendum.