SPLM USA Secretariat Condemns UN Secretary General’s Remarks over the outcome of South Sudan Referendum
For immediate Release:
Contact: Mangok Mangok Mayen: mangokmayen@splmusa.org
Ladu Jada Gubek: ladugubek@splmusa.org c
Domach Wal Ruach: domachruach@splmusa.org
cc: Government of Southern Sudan (Juba, Sudan)
SPLM Headquarters (Juba, Khartoum)
White House (Washington, DC), President Barack Obama
United Nations (New York), Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon
United Nations (New York) US Ambassador to UN, Susan Rice
US State Department (Washington DC), Secretary Hillary Clinton
US State Department (Washington DC), Special Envoy Major Gen. Scott Cration
US Congress (Capitol Hill – Washington DC)
IGAD Countries
EU Representative (Washington DC)
AU Representative
Arab League
Sudanese Parliament (Khartoum)
February 3, 2010
The SPLM-USA learned, with deep regret and dismay, of the remarks made by the top civil servant of the UN, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, curtailing the outcome of 2011 referendum for South Sudan. It is to be noted that in 2004 the UN Security Council moved to Nairobi to discuss the issues of the Horn of Africa, South Sudan being the top priority. In that special session, one of the important topics discussed by the World body was the issue of self-determination, which made the CPA possible after the Machakos Protocol allowed the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan to choose between unity and secession.
Although it was subtlety agreed that the two parties—SPLM and NCP—should work towards making unity attractive, the last five years have only proved the contrary. The problems that have ensued in Sudan since the signing of the CPA in 2005 only worked to make secession more attractive because of the intransigence of the National Congress Party to implement the CPA to the letter. Further, the sentiments of the people of South Sudan towards separation are widely acknowledged by all the diplomats, NGOs and other foreign observers serving in South Sudan, including the UN Representatives. It should also be noted that South Sudan’s negative sentiment towards the unity of Sudan is created by the NCP’s failures to honor the Naivasha agreement that was witnessed by the UN.
We feel confident that the UN Secretary General is aware of these prevailing sentiments through his representatives working in South Sudan. As a result, we believe that he should reflect seriously over the future of South Sudan and rethink his remarks that have the potential of negatively affecting the already fragile Comprehensive Peace Agreement. What the Secretary General said regarding going back to war if the South secedes is contrary to the position of the UN, which said that the international community would honor the outcome of the 2011 referendum whichever way the South chooses to vote.
We strongly appeal to the UN Secretary General to follow the commitment of the UN to guarantee the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan. We would expect the UN Secretary General to deal with the issue of self-determination in an even-handed manner without taking a position on one side or the other of this critical issue.
Since the UN members have the opportunity to arbitrate over the referendum amicably as they have done with the Abyei problem by referring it to The Hague, the people of South Sudan do not see the need for Mr. Ban Ki Moon to make such premature remarks unless the Secretary General is not aware of the UN Charter and his powers. Since the UN Charter guarantees the right of self-determination to all nations and nationalities with defined territories, we would expect the UN to acknowledge the right of the people of the South to determine their future similar to UN’s recognition of the results of referenda in Eritrea, East Timor and some of the territories of former Yugoslavia.
In conclusion, the SPLM USA Secretariat requests the UN Secretary General to rescind his remarks so as to avoid any further confusion towards the implementation of the CPA, particularly the referendum, as it is the last protocol that would conclude the full implementation of the Naivasha agreement.
The undersigned are the SPLM Chapter leaders in the US:
1. Mangok Mangok Mayen, Chairperson SPLM USA Secretariat
2. Ladu Jada Gubek, Deputy Chairperson SPLM USA Secretariat
3. Domach Wal Ruach, Secretary General SPLM USA Secretariat
4. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, NLC member, USA
5. Peter Gak, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of California
6. Kenneth Elisapana, Midwest Coordinator.
7. Deng Deng Nhial, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Washington DC Metro Area
8. Edward Laboke – Acting Coordinator of East Coast.
9. Atem Mator Anyuon– Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of South Dakota
10. Aluk Baak, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Arizona
11. Lawrence Mogga, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter-Texas
12. Makoi Paul , Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Indiana
13. Makoi Wol Manuer, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Michigan
14. Abiel Akol, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of New Hampshire
15. Duol Rut, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Nebraska
16. Dut Mangar Malek, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Connecticut
17. Philip Ruach Chan, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Georgia
18. Suzy Anip Chol, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of North & South Carolina
19. Abraham Majak, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of North Dakota
20. Garkuay Riek, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Wisconsin
21. Emmanuel Mathiang, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of New Jersey
22. Bul Aguer, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Utah
23. Pal Khot, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Washington, Coordinator West Coast
24. Gideon Abraham, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Colorado.
25. Diany Deng, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Alabama
26. Daniel Deng Mayan, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Minnesota
27. Deng Chol Mourter, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Tennessee
28. Tokmac Abol, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Pennsylvania.
29. Jacob Deng Mabil, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Massachusetts
30. Ben Arthur, Chairperson, SPLM Chapter of Maine
31. Marol Deng, Chairperson of Alaska
32. Susan Arol, Chairperson of Missouri and Kansas