OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN,
SOUTH SUDAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE (SSNMC)
July 9, 2023 (Nyamilepedia) — As we Mark the Independence Day of South Sudan, I seize this opportunity to extend my gratitude and respect to our martyrs who had paid the ultimate price in achieving our independence and those who had contributed in one way or another including our regional and international friends in supporting our long struggle for us to attain the independence of our country.
Compatriots,
The journey of our independence began in 1955 when the first bullet was shot in Torit, which marked the beginning of our long and difficult journey to freedom. As we mark this day let us remember the beautiful souls of those who have perished along the way to attain a peaceful, just, prosperous independent South Sudan.
Compatriots,
As we mark this day, let us remind ourselves that we have not yet achieved a peaceful, just, and prosperous South Sudan. Twelve years as an independent South Sudan, but we have not moved an inch in the right direction we have all suffered for. Our Country is facing enormous challenges as a result of a lack of visionary leadership. The Leadership in Juba has failed to build a peaceful, just, and prosperous South Sudan.
Compatriots,
12 years ago, the independence of South Sudan was received with jubilation, for South Sudanese people their long and difficult journey for freedom had come to an end and so had
their suffering, and humiliation, being considered as second-class citizens, oppression of all kinds and all levels,
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forced disappearance, unwarranted arrest, and extrajudicial killing. For the Regional and international community, the longest war and suffering has come to an end, and it is now time to heal and impact nation-building responsibility.
Compatriots,
instead of President Kiir attending to the aspiration of the South Sudanese people and impact on building a vibrant nation, by building strong institutions, eliminating, or minimizing corruption, eradicating tribalism, and establishing the rule of law he has turn blanked eyes to nation-building and has embarked on self-enriching.
Compatriots,
Our nation is sliding rapidly toward total disintegration, anarchy, and collapse and President Kiir’s solution is to buy more weapons, muzzle or eliminate his political opponents, encourage his unknown gunmen to kill his potential opponents, and turn his deaf ears to the voices of reasoning. President Kiir has reached the end of the rope but continues to unilaterally renew his terms in office.
Compatriots,
as we mark this day let us be reminded that a large population of our Country continues to suffer in the refugee camps, and another large population is still living in the
internally displaced camps within the Country but unfortunately, the President is misleading the South Sudanese people that there is peace.
Compatriots,
The desire of our people for peace should be the priority and prerogative of the government of South Sudan but instead of working to bring genuine sustainable peace, President Kiir has now come up with a clandestine election to guarantee the renewal of his terms in office. This is not a democratic election but rather a selection and extension of the status quo.
Compatriots,
The SSNMC believes that for genuine and sustainable peace to return to South Sudan, all the South Sudanese stakeholders need to come together in an inclusive Roundtable Conference to collectively and freely identify the root causes of our conflict and address those root causes to bring about lasting peace in South Sudan.
Compatriots,
Once genuine and sustainable peace returns to our Country this will be followed by the return of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons to their homes followed by the Population Census, the
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establishment of an independent electoral commission followed by the demarcations of the electoral constituencies, and the establishment of electoral law by the independent judiciary.
Compatriots, in conclusion, the SSNMC stand fully in support of the Roundtable Conference that the National Consensus Forum is promoting as the only viable forum for addressing the root causes of the conflict of our Country and identifying durable lasting solutions to them and ensuring a New Dispensation and A New Social Contract for the long-suffering People of South Sudan.
May Almighty God Bless you all and Bless South Sudan.
Mr. Alex Yatta Lukadi
Chairman,
South Sudan National Movement for Change
(SSNMC)
