Below is an artilce from Bhar-el-gazel, which is meant to address the rumour which has been circulating. Read it. The article was too long to be able to fit on one page, so I won't be able to post names of some signatories.
Date: 16/11/2004
From: Bhar El Ghazal Regional Authorities and 3rd Front SPLM/Officers
To: CDR/DR. John Garang De Mabior
R: CDR. Salva Kiir Mayardit
Info: All units
Statement from SPLA/M 3rd Front and CANS Officers- BGR- Rumbek
001.11.2004 referring to the rumors circulating through internet messages, telephone and other
information sources. And with reference to the message 001/11/2004 dated 14/11/2004 from the SPLM Chairman and C-in-C SPLA; and after the thorough briefing by Acting Regional SPLM Secretary for Bhar El Ghazal Cdr, Daniel Deng Monydit and Third Front Commander Pieng Deng Kuol;
We the 336 SPLA and CANS officers of The SPLM sitting in Rumbek town this 16th day of November 2004 and in furtherance to the meeting that started in Yirol yesterday 15th which is continued today in Rumbek; and after exhaustive and critical analysis of the situation and based on the past historical events like the split of 1991 which caused great human loss of lives and arrested the progress of the Movement, the people in Bhar Ghazal will not accept any split and confusion. The meeting therefore resolved to issue this statement.
· We strongly denounce and condemn the destructive allegations and fabrications which alleged the dismissal and arrest of CDR Salva Kiir Mayardit, the SPLM Deputy chairman and SPLA chief of General staff, by the SPLM Chairman and C-in-C, CDR/DR. John Garang de Mabior.
· The meeting considered these allegations as agitation and fabrications by the enemies of the Movement and the people of New Sudan aiming at creating confusion and disruption of the ongoing peace process.
· As pioneers and dedicated cadres of the Movement in struggle, and in affirmation of the resolutions of our First Historical National Convention of 1994 which elected and mandated CDR/DR. John Garang de Mabior as Chairman of the Movement and C-in-C of the SPLA, and CDR Salva Kiir Mayardit as the Deputy Chairman of the SPLM and Chief of General Staff of SPLA forming one leadership package of the SPLM/A, the officers reaffirmed that the two are to remain inseparable in their present positions of leadership.
· Furthermore, as the two are the founders and archives of the Movement, it is of necessity that they continue to lead the people of the New Sudan to achieve their objectives, and, therefore, we strongly urge our leaders not to listen to rumors.
· The SPLA/M has been strongly and firmly growing due to our unshakeable loyalty and commitment to its clear objectives which your comradeship have been wisely adhering to. In this context, should any ill intention derail the struggle, we will not stand for.
Long Live the SPLM/A Historical Leadership
- SPLA Oyee!
- SPLM Oyee!
- The struggle continues!
Signed on behalf of the Regional Authorities and 3rd Front Command
CDR Daniel Deng Monydit
Acting SPLM Regional Secretary-BGR
CDR Pieng Deng Kuol
3rd Front Commander-BGR
List of Bhar el Ghazal Regional Authorities and 3rd Front SPLA officers who attended the emergency meeting called by the Regional Authorities and 3rd Front commander to discuss the ongoing fabrications in the SPLM/A leadership.
1) CDR. Daniel Deng Monydit – Chairman of the meeting
2) CDR. Pieng Deng Kuol – Deputy Chairman of the meeting
It seems like there is a seal plan going on here in this rumor. As it was stated by Garang Aher and Bol Ajith, there are important SPLA/M leaders who we know should be responsible for this strategy event, but I don't see their names on the list. A secretary and and an officer of the region can not call emergency meeting on such strategy without approval from regional authorities. I am absolutely not satisfied with what is going on concerning this issues. We have Deng Alor, who is the barh-el-ghazal commisioner and deputy Deng Aluk plus other high ranking officers whose their names didn't appeared on the list. My advise to every body on this board is lets not just jump to conclusion, we are not on the ground to witness what is happening between these two warriors. lets not just react to postings. we those outside the country deal only with news on the web and we should be very carefull when coming to policies's topics.
I have seen people somewhere doubting the patriotism of those who are questioning the credibility and legitimacy of these two consecutive letters. It is a democractic principle that doubts and questions must be addressed but I am afraid of what is happening in South, where one can't question or doubt anything simply because it comes from Mr.X or Y. I can't believe and I therefore can't guarantee a genuine democracy or fair government to come to our country. Leaders being elected by the people, they are going to represent must be subjected to perpetual grillings by the their subjects. Their legitimacy and honesty in their administration must be questioned constantly as some sort of check and balance.
Nevertheless, I clearly don't see a glimpse of that tendency coming to South Sudan today or tomorrow. Would there be a better future for us and the next posterity? I can't believe, hell no. Would the leaders be fair enough to bring and promote a political environment where all citizens would feel the government is truely for them and should be able to participate or critique with no intimidation or blackmailing? Hell no. Then what is the objective of fighting for more than twenty one years? A lot people nowdays in South are hopeless or pessimistic because of the war that have left most of them widows, widowers, orphans, maimed, amputees, and other psychological damages to them. Would it be appropriate if these people will have no voice in the forthcoming administration of whoever is going to take the presidency? Would this tendency help the victims of the war to ride themselves of anxiety and desperation? Hell no, unless necessary changes are accepted and incorporated in the system.
Further, it would be a gigantic mistake if some people still think we will accept things or messages because they emanate from Mr.X or Y. That can't happen anymore. We wanna make sure that whoever assumes the responsibility of serving the whole nation must be critiqued with no fear of losing life afterward. It is a true leadership in the south, that will bring unity and strongly stabilized tranquillity.
The bottomline is that, citizens have to have rights to speech with not fear of intimidation.
The rumor is clear and it is a big topic and massive in two ways, first the action that we are going to take to it second, thoughtful and wise we are going to do it.
People that have access need to advice the SPLA/M leaders of our region to agree all of them in order to achieve the victory.
The position of Bhar-el-gazel region in overseas need to state or to be clear not only supporting it but they need to have full commitment.
If all of us are not agree than we are not going to support something that will bring disaster to us. By saying I see a short list of those whom we are hoping to committed themselves and achieve a victory.
Bhar-el-gazel region need to show theirs will and the large majority they are always say. Let’s see what will happen and confront it.
There is must be some sympathizers clandestinely involved in this serious case.
I don't see some important regional commanders here, for instance, Paul Malong Awan is not in the list alleged to have been signed by regional commanders to disaffirm the allegation.
I have a lot of doubts still, with regard to the regional document.
This is good information but not satisfactory according to our wish. Where are our big bulls in this emergency meeting? The big bulls are Daniel Awet Akot, Lual Diing Wol, Anthony Bol Madut, Nhial Deng Nhial, Paul Malong Awan, and the list goes on in that order. It will be good for us to know what they are standing for in this breaking news.
Santino Ajith
__________________
Nothing is possible without fair distribution of power and wealth.
Guys I also have the same feelings, when I posted this article, I felt that something was not just right with it. Those who would have address a situation like this have not signed the letter. Another striking thing about the letter was that, commanders from northern Bhar-el-gazel have not signed it, I knew something fishy could be going on here. I wrote actually to a couple of my friends who might know better than me. I have not received any reply yet. So I agree with you guys that we treat this letter with caution.
This letter, which was supposed to crystal-clear the hearsay circulating in SPLA/M leadership, is truly dubious and therefore outright inconclusive. We should, if you please, treat it with utmost foresight.
I don't know much about this letter either, I can't tell for sure whether these leaders who signed it really met and agreed to draft this letter or was a work of a few individual who wrote it to play with public's mind. But it will become clear soon. One thing I do know is that, this letter is not on behalf of Lake region let alone Bhar-el-gazel. Lake region includes Toj, and Gok Arol but leaders from these two district are not included among the signatories. That tells me that, the letter is a work of few individuals who just want to confuse the public given the tension in southern Sudan. Do you expect any letter written on behalf of Bhar-el-gazel to be signed without key names like that of Deng Alor, Lual Diing Wol, Daniel Awet Akot, Paul Molong, Nhail Deng Nhail, Salva Mathok, Bol Madut among other senior commanders? We shall just wait and see what the truth will be. Regards.
This statement from Bhar-el-gazel is bogus, it is a conspiracy against Salva to say the least. Who authorizes these guys to speak on behalf of Bhar-el-gazel. I would like to hear from Mayardit himself, otherwise everything esle is junk.
It is in reality easier said than done to fully value the letter written by signatories. The letter seemed to be representing Bhar El Ghazal Regional Authorities and 3rd Front SPLM/Officers, but lots of high-ranking commanders were not signed. To name few commanders being left out as some of you named them, I may perhaps start with CDR. Daniel Awen Akot, CDR. Malong Awan, CDR. Santo Ayang, CDR Dau Atur Jong, CDR. Ajonga Mawun, CDR. Bol Madut, CDR. Bol Bol. CDR. Bol Angara, Deng Alor and many more. Why the letter was signed and these top guys were not?
Let‘s see what Sk will say, but I think, Sk will say nothing bad agains JG just to aviod chaotic atmosphere.
For the meantime, let’s seize this rumour as
incorrect until the truth is known. After that, more commends and condemnations will follow.
