SPLM-DC PRESS RELEASE Diaspora Branch Offices

(25/07/2009, SPLM-DC)The branch offices of the SPLM for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) in Diaspora deplore and condemn the relentless abuses of its members by the ruling SPLM party security apparatus in South Sudan.

On July 3, 2009 our dear member of the party and recruitment officer, Mr. Akich Dak Padiet (let his soul rest in peace), was shot to death by some SPLM operatives based in Fashoda County, Upper Nile state.

Similarly, our fellow political cadres Mr. Joseph Othow Kuichkon and Mr. Dak Ali Oboy were arrested. Joseph and Dak went through a series of brutal psychological and physical tortures and beatings in the prison cells. The reason for their arrests and eventual death of comrade Akich D. Padiet in the hands of the SPLM/A security organs was politically-motivated. Like many other party members across South Sudan, the only charge illegally pressed against them was that, they supported SPLM-DC and their recruitment of new members to join the party.

On July 17, 2009 again our political cadres, Mr. Aduok Lual, Mr. Tijani Athiang and Mr. Nagib Nakuan, were arrested by the SPLM security organs in Wadakona town, Mayo County, Upper Nile state. They are currently held in SPLA military barrack detention cells in the said county. Sometimes they are being transferred at night to different SPLA Military prisons in Renk and Mayo counties routinely, while blindfolded, for further interrogations. As we speak, their health conditions are now grave and deteriorating as they are subjected to constant physical tortures, food and sleep deprivation, and visitation prohibition.

In Eastern Equatoria state, several members of the State Assembly, who were accused of supporting and promoting SPLM-DC activities, were threatened and intimidated by an SPLA brigadier (Sudan Tribune, July 17, 2009). According to the SPLA Brigadier, if these honorable members of the state legislature don’t stop being supportive of the SPLM-DC, they would risk losing their seats and most likely their lives.

Those threatened included Hon. Martin Lopir, Hon. Paul Napon and the Chairman of the SPLM party in the state, Hon. Louis Lobong. This arrogant SPLA brigadier targeted these MPs simply because they are influential members of the Toposa community and that their support for the SPLM-DC, if proven, might encourage others in the community to abandon SPLM party and join SPLM-DC party. However, what this brigadier doesn’t know is that, the SPLM-DC’s recruitment policy does not mobilize or recruit members into its rank and file based on tribal affiliation. Members join the party individually and freely only if they are convinced and moved by the democratic change we advocate for. In this case, appeal to tribal sentiments has no room in our policy.

For that reason, we consider the use of force, harassment, intimidation, arrest and coercion against political opposition party leaders, members and their supporters as anti-democratic and barbaric; and that it truly violates the basic fundamentals of our nation’s Constitution, mainly the Interim National Constitution of the Sudan adopted in 2005 after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Because of the supremacy of law, Southern Sudan Human Rights Commission was established to protect and prevent any human rights abuses against individual citizens, (be they ordinary people and politicians alike).

Therefore, we thought that the SPLM party would practice what it daily preaches; and also respect and accept political competition if it still upholds the democratic principles it pretentiously and hypocritically preaches to marginalized people of Sudan. But on the contrary this appears not to be the case, because for the SPLM party to use the military (SPLA) and security operatives, which are supposed to be politically neutral and to act only in the defense and protection of national integrity, peace and security, but rather against innocent civilians and politicians, is really troubling.

Moreover, we hold the SPLA Commander-in-Chief Salva Kiir Mayardit, Chief of Staff General James Hoth Mai and Mayo County Commissioner accountable for crimes committed against humanity by their subordinates. So we advise them to respect the rule of law as well as the enshrined constitutional mandates and guarantees of the land that require the military personnel not to interfere in politics. Otherwise, these statements made below by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on April 11, 2006 when addressing the South Sudan Legislative Assembly would make no sense at all.
He said: “The most important duty of our government is the provision of protection and security for everybody that resides in Southern Sudan be they citizens or foreigners…. It is the duty of our law courts to apply and uphold the law. The Judiciary of Southern Sudan, which already features a Supreme Court and courts of Appeal, shall ensure that justice is done without fear or favor and is exercised strictly in conformity with the Constitution and the law”.
Also the recently appointed Minister of Interior for government of Southern Sudan (SPLM), Mr. Gier Chuang Aluong had this to say to the police, military and security forces that: “Our main priority is to gradually re-establish capable security forces that can provide service with respect and dignity”, (Sudan Tribune, July 24, 2009). And he continued to say that “Being security personnel either a police or military does not mean kill or be killed but to protect your people and country. Tribal conflicts in the region have killed more people and sent another more fleeing from their homes”. How this beautiful wording be translated into real action, that leaves a lot to be desired.

As the saying goes, “if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen”. It follows that the SPLM must now know that the SPLM-DC means real business. If they (SPLM) can’t stand political pressure and competition through peaceful democratic process, let them get out of the way and let other political parties take the lead and practice real democracy. Because employing cruel methods of political intimidation, arrest and coercion will not deter SPLM-DC members from doing what is best for the welfare of the people of Sudan—that is true democracy. In the end, a real democracy has to take its course, whether a small clique of people within SPLM party, who for decades benefitted from the practice of bullying, corruption, nepotism and tribalism, like it or not, we are here a political party to reckon with as our comrades are strongly committed to sacrifice their lives for the democratic transformation of the country.

In conclusion, these pervasive and cruel tactics of threats, intimidations, arrests and harassments practiced by the SPLM party do threaten and run against the core values, concepts and practices of democracy and UN Universal Declarations of the Human Rights, Article 21.
We therefore appeal to regional and international communities, the democratic republic of Sudan presidency, South Sudan Legislative Assembly, the Council for political parties in Sudan, European Union, African Union, Arab League, UN Security Council and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, IGADD, US State Department, Canada, Australia, Human Rights groups and advocates, and lastly to the citizens of Sudan around the world to put pressure on the SPLM party to stop being a bully by making Southern Sudan a one-party police state. More importantly, as enshrined in the CPA, let it allow all political parties to practice and exercise their democratic rights to political freedoms, such as rights to campaign, assembly, association, thought, press, and movement without fear.

The Undersigned act on behalf of members and representatives of the SPLM-DC in Diaspora.
1) Deng Yiech Bachech, Calgary , Canada
2) Khor Biel Kuenywar, Windsor, Canada
3) Dominic Woja Maku, Vancouver, Canada
4) Obeide Simon, Calgary, Canada
5) Kwathi A. Ajawin, Washington-DC, USA
6) Sisto Olur, Norway
7) Yien Thiang Luony, Melbourne, Australia
8) Biel Jock Thich, Omaha, USA
9) Joice Omena, Calgary, Canada
10) Deng Turuk Liem, Iowa, USA
11) Alfred Sokiri, Norway
12) Thomas Duku Lemi, Calgary, Canada
13) Sam Obac, Minnesota, USA
14) Peter Michael Wani, Calgary, Canada
15) Lemi Ibrahim Lasu, Calgary, Canada
16) Omal Fabio, Norway
17) Sabit Okouj, Norway
18) Jacob Lado, Calgary, Canada
19) Gach Bol Thong, Washington- Seattle, USA
20) Banak Mading Kueth, Omaha, USA
21) Michael Gwang Dak, Edmonton, Canada
22) Kim K. Wuol, Iowa, USA
23) Mark Oyat, Calgary, Canada
24) Juan Fanaki Lasu, Calgary, Canada
25) Yoannes Kak, Melbourne, Australia
26) Chan Nyak Gatkuoth, Tucson, Arizona, USA
27) Gatluke Chuol Reat, Kitchener, Canada
28) Marko Tipo, Ottawa, Canada
29) Duop Chak Wuol, Colorado, USA
30) William Deng Awor, Victoria, Canada
31) James Mawich Bichiok, Vancouver, Canada
32) Godfrey B. Bangisa, Calgary, Canada
33) Pal Deng Thong, Minneapolis, USA
34) Sabrina Akii, Calgary, Canada
35) William Dei, New York, USA
36) Dak Jock Nyuon, Calgary, Canada
37) John Ruben, Calgary, Canada
38) Margaret Tito Monika, Calgary, Canada
39) Lee Kontibon, Arlington, Virginia, USA
40) Isaac Thok, Northern Territory, Australia