South Sudan awaits return of opposition leader
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By Ngor Arol Garang
October 1,2011 (JUBA) - South Sudan’s official opposition the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement for Democartic Change (SPLM-DC), said
Saturday it has completed preparations to receive its party chairman,
Lam Akol, on Sunday.
JPEG - 18.9 kb
Lam Akol, head of the SPLM-DC, listens in on a discussion of southern
unity and cooperation, during an all-southern-parties meeting in Juba,
southern Sudan, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010. (AP)
Akol’s return comes shortly after his surprise meeting with South
Sudan’s president Salva Kiir Mayardit last Thursday in Kenya’s capital
Nairobi.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Juba town, Onyoti Adigo, the
leader of the opposition group in the National Legislative Assembly,
congratulated Kiir and Akol for attempting to reconcile their
political differences.
The senior member of the opposition party explained that the
initiative taken by the two leaders shows their commitment to building
a new nation as united leaders for the common good of South Sudanese
people.
South Sudan became independent in July as part of a 2005 peace deal
between the Sudan People’s Libertation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan’s
ruling National Congress Party (NCP).
In 2009, Akol split from the SPLM to form SPLM-DC. Elections in 2010
saw an overwhelmingly SPLM victory in South Sudan but despite
complaining of harassment the SPLM-DC still managed to become the
largest opposition party.
“For us in the SPLM-DC executive council, the coming together of the
two leaders means unity, development, prosperity and commitment to
fighting for reforms, fight corruption, security, good governance,
transparency and accountability”, he said
He commended President Kiir Mayardit for accepting dialogue and
opening up to a more multiparty system in the new Republic of South
Sudan. The SPLM, the former rebel movement, has dominated South
Sudanese politics since its inception in 1983.
Adigo described Kiir’s decision to reconcile with Akol as wise and
moving in the right direction for the country.
He said the decision has been welcomed with joy and happiness by south
Sudanese both at home in the diaspora because the initiative is seen
as historic development for unity amongst the leaders of the new
independent country.
He called on South Sudanese to turn to receive the opposition leader
upon his arrival at Juba International Airport on Sunday.
"We very much value support of our people that we would like to call
upon responsible and concerned citizens of South Sudan to turn up
tomorrow for reception of one of our leaders. Doing so would should
sign of hope, equality, peaceful co-exist and prosperity for all
irrespective of where we comes or political affiliation," explained
senior member of the opposition party.
Adigo said people especially the politicians from the SPLM should see
Akol as a leader for all South Sudanese and not as an opposition
leader.
He encouraged all citizens to stay away from tribal politics and
embark on making peaceful initiatives to resolve differences in the
way Kiir and Akol had done.
“We have come long way as people of common interest and one destiny.
If we managed to fight during the war as one people and voted as block
during referendum which brought us this independence why not afford
leaving behind our past differences and come together in supporting
democratic reform process to install good governance and system of
accountability”, Adigo said.
(ST)
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