S. Sudanese’s opinion on Clashes between General Athor and SPLA forces.
From: the Office of SPLM Chapter of Calgary, Alberta Canada
To: Dr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the 1st Vice President of Republic of the Sudan, President of Government of South Sudan, Chairman of the SPLM and C-in-C of the SPLA
CC: Dr Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon, the Vice president of Government of South Sudan
CC Hon. Pa’gan Amum Okiech, SPLM Secretary General
CC: Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, Minister for SPLA Affairs
CC: Hon. James Hoth Mai, General Chief of Staff of the SPLA
CC: Hon. Major General Athor Deng, Former Deputy General Staff of Staff of the SPLA
CC: Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk, elected Governor for Jonglei State
CC: Padang Paramount Chiefs
CC: Hon. Joshua Dau
Your Excellency,
The SPLM Calgary Chapter called an emergency meeting on May 9, 2010 regarding the catastrophic, and dubious decision taken by former independence candidate for Governorship and former Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General George Athor Deng who bloodshed the life of innocent citizens of South Sudan in Doleib, Pigi county in Northern Jonglei State. The aimed of the meeting was to ask the opinion of Southern Sudanese concern citizens about the clashes that happened in Doleib between Gen. Athor’s and SPLA forces which caused the lives of civilians of Southern Sudan. The SPLM members and Southern Sudanese citizens vigorously condemn the action taken by Gen. George Athor Deng while the southern Sudanese citizens are awaiting the upcoming referendum in 2011.
We would also like to urge Gen. George Athor very strongly not to repeat what had happened two weeks ago. We all knew that you were one of the military influential figures of the SPLA/M during the liberation struggle, more committed and loyal to SPLA/M system, but now we wanted you not to obliterate your wonderful legacy by killing your own citizens and fellow Comrades whom you had previously sacrificed your life to rescue them from Arab domination. They offered their precious live voluntarily during the movement for the name of our mother land, human rights and freedom to all marginalized people of Sudan.
Sudanese citizens in Canada would appreciate your understanding and well thought with respect to lives of South Sudanese citizens before further casualties. We strongly urged you to cooperate and respect any peaceful resolution offer by the GoSS and SPLM leadership because losing election cannot be resolved through military means, which may jeopardize the main objectives of the SPLA/M that are based on justice, peace, equality, unity and free will in which we had been fighting for more than two decades.
Mr. General George Athor Deng, we want you be more vigilant, realistic and caution that the enemy of peace is always seeking for opportunity to destabilize the CPA. We are hereafter to assure you that it would be unwise decision to destruct this wonderful destiny that caused the life of more than 2.5 million citizens of South Sudan in a last minute.
Yes for Peace, No for War, SPLM National Second Convention’s Motto,
Your Excellency President Kiir Mayardit,
We the SPLM members and Sudanese community elders in Calgary realized that General Deng rebelled against the GoSS. We knew that GoSS has a military capability to capture one General with no resistance, but we the SPLM members and Sudanese elders in Calgary are requesting the GoSS to sustain peace through negotiation table whereby the third parties, particularly the Sudan peace partners like IGAD, African Union, Church leaders, and Padang Community elders would be given a chance to mediate peace before military retaliation.
We really appeal to GoSS and SPLM leadership to forgive General Deng since continuation of this conflict will claim more lives of our civilians and soldiers while we all want them to enjoy peace dividend. Your Excellency, we the Southern Sudanese citizens in Calgary are kindly requesting the government of southern Sudan, under your leadership to exhaust all necessary mechanisms with consideration of the following resolutions:
First and foremost, prolonging this internal conflict, would caused insecurity and instability which will hinder the preparation of the imminent referendum in 2011 whereby people of South Sudan would determine their future either to retain unity of Sudan or opt for South Sudan separate government as one of the cornerstones of liberation struggle.
Secondly, turning guns against citizens is completely irrelevant because we will lose innocent lives of our people at this juncture and it will undermine ultimate roles of the SPLA army while their main function is to defend South Sudan and to maintain the CPA.
Thirdly, our partner is very seriously advocating false allegation to international community that we people of south Sudan are incapable of running our own affairs and warns the international community to refrain from supporting secession of South Sudan. We the SPLM Calgary and other Sudanese elders want the SPLM leadership and the government of southern Sudan to prove them wrong this time and alert the people in the world that we the Southerners are more than capable of governing ourselves by maintaining lasting peace in South Sudan.
Almighty God will rest the souls of SPLA soldiers who lost their lives in peace and keep the liberation struggle continue.
Long live GoSS
Long live SPLA/SPLM
Long live SPLM Calgary members and Sudanese Elders
Signed By:
1. Stephen Yang Chuol Luak, the Chairperson of SPLM Chapter of Calgary
2. Simon Mayiik de Nyok, SPLM Secretary General of Calgary Chapter
3. Ariik Chol Ariik, SPLM Vice Secretary General of Calgary Chapter
4. Tabitha Akec Ayuel, SPLM Women Affairs
5. Peter Jany Kawai, the Chairman of Sudanese Community in Calgary
6. Dhiew Dok Minyang Monyjok, the Chairman of Lost Boys and Girls