بيان من الحركة الشعبية لتحرير السودان .....Statement from the SPLM

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)

Deng Yai
For/ SPLM Representative
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Sudan for all the Sudanese