وزير الاعلام (لم) ينف ما أوردته السودانى على لسان سلفاكير، يا نزار

“There is no division in GOSS”, Dr. Marial JUBA, 29 October 2010 – There is no division in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). The government and people of Southern Sudan are united and are moving together towards the referendum with one purpose: self-determination. This position was reiterated by H.E. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, the GOSS minister for Information during a press conference to respond to Khartoum-based media reports which quoted the GOSS President, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, out of context on a number of issues following an interview with journalists in Khartoum recently. First and foremost, Dr. Marial confirmed that the interview did take place. However, he sought to set the record straight on a number of issues on which the President was misquoted. Al Sudani newspaper journalist had alleged that there is disunity within GOSS ranks and that the GOSS Vice-President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny has a shadow government. The journalist reportedly said that she had heard about the issue from “the streets”. Dr. Marial asserted that GOSS is united and that the Vice-President is un#####ocal in his support of the government and the President, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit. He also explained that Dr. Machar has been working together with the other leaders to cement this unity as exemplified by his leadership role during the recent South-South dialogue. “We are united and are moving together as one body”, asserted Dr. Marial. Dr. Marial stresses a point during the press conference The same Al Sudani journalist also alleged that President Kiir declared that Southern Sudan would establish diplomatic relations with Israel if it becomes an independent state after the referendum. Dr. Marial clarified that the President only said that Southern Sudan has no enemies and will be free to form mutually-beneficial relations with any nation in the interest of its people. Dr. Marial stated that the President did not utter the name “Israel” in his response to the interview questions. Dr. Marial also denied reports by Al Rai Al Aam that Israeli intelligence is training the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). He wondered how a foreign intelligence agency can train a national army like the SPLA. He said that these reports seem to be aimed at portraying Southern Sudan as a possible hostile state which will give Israel a pedestal from which to infiltrate the Arab world. Dr. Marial explained that should the people of Southern Sudan choose independence then the new state will be free to establish diplomatic relations as it deems fit. He wondered why some people seem concerned with the possibility of a new Southern Sudan state having diplomatic relations with Israel yet several other countries in the region and even in the Arab world such as Jordan, Egypt and Morocco already have such relations. He stated that Southern Sudan, if it becomes a sovereign state after the referendum, reserves the right to form any diplomatic relations that it deems beneficial for its people. Dr. Marial explained that he called the press conference to set the record straight because the concerned newspapers do not publish complaints from GOSS emanating from inaccurate reporting. He urged the journalists to uphold the tenets of professional journalism but added that GOSS will not take any punitive actions against the concerned journalists because it guarantees freedom of expression. He also urged journalists, both local and international, to follow the right procedures and respect protocols when seeking audience with leaders. He explained that the said interview should have been conducted by the Editor-in-Chief himself and not a junior reporter. He also encouraged the media to dialogue with the GOSS, through the Ministry of Information, to ensure credibility of information that goes to the public. Additional reporting by Joseph Garang and Emmanuel Dumba This article was updated on Oct 29, 2010