S. Sudanese in Canada condemn rebellions, call for ceasefire
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May 18, 2011 (JUBA) - South Sudanese in Canada have written a letter
appealing to the UN and AU with their opposition to any attempt by the
southern government to use military options as remedies to the ongoing
rebellions in the region, and instead call for an immediate truce.
In a strongly-worded letter signed by over 30 southerners, the group
appeals to the southern people to give more support to South Sudan’s
president, Salva Kiir in efforts to maintain peace and stability
within the semi-autonomous region.
The south, after decades of civil war, is due to become independent
after its population overwhelmingly voted for separation in the
January self-determination referendum. The vote was a key part of
Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed by the warring
north and south in Naivasha, Kenya.
However, with less than two months to the long-awaited independence,
the region continues to suffer from pockets of rebellions, which the
southern government alleges are being backed by the Khartoum regime.
The northern government has continuously denied the allegations.
Last year, Kiir offered an amnesty to all militias fighting against
the south, a move which was meant to foster peace in the region, but
in the aftermath of the referendum, various rebellions have sprung up
causing massive havoc among the southern population.
“We, the undersigned condemn the spirit of rebellions,” the letter
party reads, adding that, “These rebels leaders should put down their
arms, accept amnesty and get acquainted with the democratic principles
in dealing with elected government.”
Much as the group widely condemned what it described as the Khartoum
government’s act to allegedly sabotage the independence celebrations
earmarked for 9 July, they further appealed to the rebels in the south
to lay down their arms and join fellow southerners.
“We the people of South Sudan, living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,
are deeply saddened by the repeated killing of civilians and
undermining of the democratic principles by the rebels. This
unconstructive spirit of rebellion could diminish resiliency of the
people of the south to attain liberty; a desire which has been
demonstrated through many years of struggle,” further says the group.
The over 30 signatories also appealed to the international community,
specifically members of the UN Security Council (UNSC), African Union
High Level Implementation Panel on Sudan and the US government to
assist south Sudan in efforts to peacefully achieve its long-awaited
independence.
(ST)
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