Press Release on Abyei SPLM US Secretariat
(May 23, 2011)
SPLM – USA Secretariat is Calling on the World to Stop the Destruction, Looting and Illegal Occupation of Abyei by the NCP’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)
The leadership of the SPLM – USA Secretariat, including the SPLM-Youth League and SPLM-Women League, has convened an emergency meeting on Sunday night to deliberate on the recent advance and illegal occupation of Abyei by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) as of May 21, 2011. While the SPLM-USA Secretariat leadership was caught off guard by this blatant violation of the 2005 peace accord, popularly known as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in Kenya by the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP), it was not surprised.
Notorious for dishonoring agreements, the latest violation of the CPA, however, signifies a dangerous trend that has the potential of not only destabilizing Sudan but the entire East Africa if the world continues to watch the NCP and its armed forces, led by an indicted criminal, roars like a wild dog.
We have warned the world in our February press release on Abyei that this day was coming. The pertinent quote: “It is now quite clear that the NCP has trashed Abyei provision of the CPA in the dustbin and planned to take Abyei militarily,” accurately describes the intention of the NCP and its unprofessional armed forces to settle the Abyei issue using force rather than dialogue.
What really disturbs the conscience of rational beings is the attitude the international community is taking towards the Sudanese government and its illegitimate leader, indicted by the ICC on numerous counts of crimes against humanity. During his appearance in South Kordofan state, El-Bashir, campaigning for fellow indicted criminal Ahmed Haroun for governorship of that state uttered the following: “Abyei is located in north Sudan and will remain in north Sudan.” While one would expect such statements from the Taliban and Al Qaeda, it is downright disappointing to allow an alleged head of statement to make such a sensitive remark with no international repercussion or backlash.
While the world was enjoying El-Bashir’s sideshow in silence, he has already gained enough confidence to carry out his long standing plan to not only invade Abyei but kill its citizens so that no one votes for referendum there even if he does allow it to take place at a time of his own choosing.
The lingering question in our minds is if the world body’s security organ, the UN Security Council (UNSC) though it was necessary to pass UN resolution 1973 to protect the citizens of Libya from their leader, why can’t they use the same logic to protect Sudanese citizens from theirs?
While the world contemplates this important question, we want to reiterate our desire for peace and the need for the world to join us. We also want to commend the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) for abstaining from this dangerous provocation by the SAF. While the SPLA is capable of defending every single inch of the homeland, its decision to stay away from this aggression is commendable, for it is a no brainer that the SAF would not have walked into Abyei if the SPLA had any intention of confrontation.
It is now the world’s responsibility to stop further escalation because the patience shown by the government of Southern Sudan and SPLA is not indefinite. Words coming from the ground as of this moment are that SAF is advancing southward and is not allowing anyone to come into or go out of the town of Abyei.
If the world doesn’t do anything immediately this looming disaster will not be averted. In order to avoid any more bloodshed and avert an all-out war, the following measures have to be taken with a great sense of urgency:
Have SAF leave Abyei and reinstate its Administration as soon as possible
Allow humanitarian aid to get to the affected population
Allow UN to enter the town and access the humanitarian situation
Put on hold any talks of normalizing relations between US and GOS
Take El-Bashir to the Hague to answer for his crime
Hold Abyei referendum as soon as possible
Implement the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling
Implement the Abyei Border Commission (ABC) recommendations
Demarcate the South/North border
Signed:
1. Cde. Mangok Mangok Mayen, Chairman
2. Cde. Ladu Jada Gubek, Vice Chairman
3. Cde. Thabor Ding, Acting Secretary General
4. Dr. Isaac Gang, Secretary for Information, Communications and Culture
5. Cde. Joseph Majok, Secretary for Finance
6. Cde. Steve Paterno, Secretary for Training, Research and Planning
7. Cde. Peter Majok, Deputy Secretary for Information, Communications and Culture
8. Cde. Cecelia Adeng, Deputy Secretary on External Relations
9. Cde. Elizabeth Benjamin Ajongo, Secretary for Popular and Syndicated Organizations
10. Cde. Nyibol Akok, Deputy Secretary for Popular and Syndicated Organizations
11. Cde. Rose Oduho, Secretary for Administration and Organization
SUDAN PEOPLES’ LIBERATION MOVEMENT (SPLM) USA Secretariat 4
12. Cde. Gatluak Puoch, Deputy Secretary for Administration and Organization
13. Cde. Eltayeb Elamin, Secretary for Social Welfare and Services
14. Cde. Veronica Ajak, Deputy Secretary for Social Welfare and Services
15. Cde. Othow Awang, Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization
16. Cde. Santino Mayek Deng, Deputy Secretary for Political Affairs and Mobilization
17. Cde. Joseph Makuer, Deputy Secretary for Training, Research and Planning
18. Cde. David Bum Choat, Advisor to Secretariat
19. Cde. Chuor Chuor, Advisor
20. Cde. Elizabeth Kuch, Advisor
21. Daniel Deng Mayen, Advisor
22. Cde. Hakim Ladu, Advisor
23. Cde. Gau Garang , Advisor
24. Cde. Koang Toang, Advisor
25. Cde. Dhalbany Malual, Advisor
26. Cde. Abraham Bul Aguer, Chairperson of Utah SPLM chapter, Advisor
27. Diany Kuot Deng, Chairperson of Alabama SPLM chapter
28. Aluk Bak, Chairperson of Arizona SPLM chapter
29. Peter Gak, Chairperson of California SPLM chapter
30. Gideon Abraham, Chairperson of Colorado SPLM chapter
31. Dut Mangar, Chairperson of Connecticut SPLM chapter
32. James Arop Majok, Acting Chairperson of Florida SPLM chapter
33. Jacob Mach, Chairperson of Georgia SPLM chapter
34. Duot Aguer, Chairperson of Illinois SPLM chapter
35. Makoi Paul, Chairperson of Indiana SPLM chapter
36. Samuel Machar Bak, Chairperson of Iowa SPLM chapter
37. Suzane Arol, Chairperson of Missouri/Kansas SPLM chapter
38. Michael Kolekon, Chairperson of Kentucky SPLM chapter
39. Ben Arthur, Chairperson of Maine SPLM chapter
40. Jacob Deng Mabil, Chairperson of Massachusetts SPLM chapter
41. Deng Ngor Deng, Chairperson of Michigan SPLM chapter
42. Lero Odola, Chairperson of Minnesota SPLM chapter
43. Agot Kuol Agot, Acting Chairperson of Mississippi SPLM chapter
44. Duol Rut, Chairperson of Nebraska SPLM chapter
45. Abiel Akol, Chairperson of New Hampshire SPLM chapter
SUDAN PEOPLES’ LIBERATION MOVEMENT (SPLM) USA Secretariat 5
46. Emanuel Mayen, Chairperson of New Jersey SPLM chapter
47. Dut Deng Leek, Chairperson of New York SPLM chapter
48. George Kuot, Chairperson of North Dakota SPLM chapter
49. William Wol Mayar, Chairperson of North/South Carolinas SPLM chapter
50. Tokmach Abol, Chairperson of Pennsylvania SPLM chapter
51. Adol Aluong, Chairperson of South Dakota SPLM chapter
52. Deng Chol Mourter, Chairperson of Tennessee SPLM chapter
53. Lawrence Becu Moga, Chairperson of Texas SPLM chapter
54. Deng Deng Nhial, Chairperson of Washington, DC SPLM chapter
55. Michael Debela, Acting Chairperson of Washington SPLM chapter
56. Miaj Garkuay Riek, Chairperson of Wisconsin SPLM chapter
57. Abuk Makuac, Chairperson of SPLM – USA Women League
58. Wal Peter Mour Anyar, Chairperson of SPLM – USA Youth League
Contact Isaac Gang - (isaac@isaacgang.com)