Date: 30th November 2004
Ref: Mem/public/301104
All Members of the Public

Dear All

Re: Public Statement

Some malicious rumours have been circulating all over the world in the last
few weeks. It is alleged that there is a split in the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement /Army (SPLM/A). The split is allegedly led by Cdr. Salva
Kiir Mayardit, the first Deputy Chairman and SPLA Chief of Staff, and
supported by other SPLA commanders including Cdr. Majak de Agot who is
currently in London. It is also rumoured that Dr John Garang de Mabior,
Chairman of SPLM and Commanderin-Chief of SPLA, has ordered the arrest of
Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and that the latter is preparing for a showdown
with the former. In addition, it is alleged that Dr John Garang de Mabior
decided to appoint Cdr. Nhial Deng Nhial, SPLM Commissioner for Foreign and
Humanitarian Affairs, to replace Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit as first Deputy
Chairman of SPLM and Chief of Staff of SPLA. Rumour-mongers also alleged
that Mrs Nyandeng de Mabior, the Chairman’s wife, was arrested by the
British Police and Custom Officers at London Heathrow Airport with $3.5
million dollars in her handbag

The Office of SPLM Representative in the UK and Ireland would like to
respond to all these potentially damaging rumours, lies and propaganda and
set the record straight in the following paragraphs

(a)
The SPLM/SPLA leadership is united. There is no split in the Movement. Dr.
John Garang de Mabior and his first Deputy Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit are
working together; they have been through the thick and thin together; they
achieved so much together and they are determined to conclude their mission
together, not arrest one another. Dr. John Garang de Mabior has never
thought about relieving Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit of his duties and
appointing Cdr. Nhial Deng Nhial (who is currently the ninth in the
hierarchy of the Movement) to the position of first Deputy Chairman of SPLM
and SPLA Chief of Staff. Such arrangement presupposes sacking seven members
of the SPLM Leadership Council and this is simply unthinkable. It is also
common knowledge that Cdr. Majak de Agot is a loyal and trustworthy senior
SPLA officer. He has already responded to the allegations published by the
Arabic daily Alsharaq Al-Awsat, and SPLM/A has noted their apology to him
and the Movement

(b)
We would like to make it clear that Mrs Nyandeng de Mabior was neither
carrying such money as described by the liars, nor was she arrested by the
British Police and Custom Officers at London Heathrow Airport as alleged. In
fact, she has never seen such a big amount of money in her entire life.
Besides, it is hard to imagine why she, or indeed anybody else, would tour
the world with such a big amount of money in a handbag. Mrs de Mabior was
received on her arrival in the UK and escorted to the airport on her
departure by a group of SPLM/A members; they are willing and ready to
testify to this effect.

(c)
All these rumours, in our view, are desperate attempts by the Government of
the Sudan (GoS) and its South Sudanese accomplices to mastermind another
split in the SPLM/A. We are acutely aware of the fact that GoS is frightened
by the prospect of sharing power with SPLM/A; it is desperate to give itself
a new lease of life to maintain its grip on power in Khartoum. For this
reason, GoS is hell-bend on undermining the peace process. GoS is addicted
to dividing and abusing the marginalised people of the Sudan and hope to
replicate its successes of the past and sow the seeds for another bloody
South-South conflict. Such a conflict will serve as Khartoum’s excuse to opt
out of the peace process and wage another proxy war in the South. It is
evident that GoS is very reluctant to sign the final peace deal with SPLM/A.
This is why GoS has been concocting numerous excuses to delay concluding the
peace process. This attitude suggests that Khartoum is stuck in their old
ways and wish to press ahead with their big cultural assimilation project.
We believe GoS will delay signing the final peace agreement forever if they
can

(d)
SPLM/A has made a firm commitment and is determined to pursue and realise a
just, comprehensive and lasting peaceful settlement to the conflict in the
Sudan. SPLM/A will not be distracted by rumour-mongers. SPLM/A believes the
IGAD peace process is irreversible. We would like to strongly advise the NIF
government in Khartoum that there is no room for monkey business. There is
only one road ahead, and that is a road to peace. We would like to confirm
that SPLM/A is ready and willing to continue negotiating peace with GoS in
good faith and through the usual IGAD forum, not through the press

(e)
We wish to urge all SPLM/A members, friends of New Sudan and the public at
large to remain alert and vigilant. Enemies of the Movement are working hard
these days, masquerading as good messengers, uttering empty slogans, abusing
and misusing terms such as “unity of purpose”, “South-South dialogue”,
“referendum”, “democracy”, “transparency”, “accountability”and others to
cast a shadow of doubt over the credibility of SPLM/A. We are not sure they
completely understand the meanings of these words in practice. They seem to
forget that these words describe the realities and practices of SPLM on the
ground. We will not allow perpetual politicians and their sponsors in
Khartoum to divide us. We believe the majority of the people of the Sudan
have been marginalised by Khartoum and subjected to inexplicable suffering
for too long, and for no reason. It is the intention of SPLM/A to conclude
the final peace deal to put an end to this suffering. We believe it is time
for all the people of the Sudan to experience freedom, equality and justice.
They deserve better

SPLM Oyee
SPLA Oyee
Long live the struggle of the marginalised people of the Sudan

Yours sincerely
(Signed)