SPLM(IO)-Canada Calls for Cessation of Hostilities Among the SPLA-IO forces in Northern Upper Nile and for Establishment of Peace Mediation Committee

To:

Dr. Riek Machar Teny,

The First Vice President, Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLLM/A-IO mainstream and,

1^st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual,

Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLLM/A-IO Kitgwang,

Dear comrades in struggle,

We, the leadership of the SPLM-IO in Canada, held the leadership consultation meeting, which was well attended by the head of the SPLM-IO Mission office to Canada, representative of the SPLM-IO to Cuba and Caribbean Countries, leaders in the National Coordination office in Canada, leaders in the Provincial Coordination offices, Chapter leaders, ROSS representatives, Women leagues, student leagues, and Youth Leagues chairpersons, respectively.

The meeting deliberated on the unfolding division, deadly military confrontations and mass defection within the family of the SPLM-IO. After a lengthy discussion, the consultation concluded with the following resolutions:

1. Paying tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines:

We pay tribute to our fallen heroes and heroines from both factions of SPLA-IO, what a sad tragedy!

Notwithstanding that we are privileged to have the R-ARCSS that was achieved through immeasurable ultimate sacrifices invested by those comrades who perished in the hands of the enemy of the state during the struggle for freedom, justice, reforms, and equality for all South Sudanese citizens, now the SPLA-IO has turned its worst enemy, lynching the remnants of the past struggles.

The SPLA-IO Canada and Caribbean countries established that the current death among our own forces in Northern Upper Nile, and particularly in Magenis, is uncalled for and unnecessary; and therefore, we strongly condemn it and call for immediate cessation of hostilities.

These forces should never have died in the hands of their own comrades at the time of peace when they were about to harvest the labour of their own hands. The SPLM-IO weapons should never have been pointed at its own members because they are sacred tools meant to defend and protect the oppressed and marginalized populations of South Sudan. We believe this is nothing but a shame to all of us in leadership and must be equivocally condemned by leaders on both sides and as well as by the leaders in the diaspora!

2. Common Fate for Strategic alliance:

We contemplated the reasons for the strategic alliance between the sixty-four tribes that led to the formation of the Sudan People Liberation in Opposition (SPLM-IO). This common fate leaves no room for dispute within the IO fraternity – our diversity is our strength and not a weakness. We refused to be diverted from this national agenda we undertook and wisely preferred solving our own problem over defection.  Therefore, we call upon our leaders, ourselves as members of the SPLM-IO, to override our personal interests and grievances, whatever they are, for the SPLM-IO to become a sophisticated political, ideological, and rationalistic entity that deserves our unwavering loyalty.

3. Condemnation and Call for Cessation of Hostilities:

War is not a solution to our differences. But it widens division and weakens our negotiating position to implement the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the hard-won peace by the people of South Sudan.

Consequently, we condemn in the strongest terms possible this senseless and proxy war orchestrated to divide the SPLM/A-IO to enable the Jieng Council of Elders and Salva Kiir to proceed with the policy of divide and rule, hegemony and domination of South Sudan, her people, and resources. We urge both sides, the leadership of the SPLM-IO in Juba and the Kitgwuang Leadership, to come to the judgement of wisdom and responsibility and take immediate remedial steps to de-escalate the hostilities and promote cordial environment to reunite the SPLM-IO.

4. Call for Reconciliation within SPLM-IO Family:

The Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) is an advocate and the champion for democracy, justice and freedom. The call to apply these principles requires the SPLM-IO to demonstrate the ability, morality and responsibility in conflict management and overcoming its internal conflict through amicable and honest dialogue. We call for reconciliation between the SPLM-IO factions to repair damages caused by this unnecessary war. However, the successful reconciliation requires the SPLM-IO actors to acknowledge the root causes of these divisions, challenges, and consent to an honest mediation.

The SPLM/A-IO Canada avails itself and offers to lead the mediation, if both factions agree to resolve their differences once and for all. The leadership in Canada has unanimously agreed to establish a body to be led by the Secretary of Peace and Reconciliation to carry out reconciliation processes.

This peace and reconciliation body will reach out to both sides soon and we believe the chairmen, Dr. Riek Machar and Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual will create time and avail themselves to listen to our call for cessation of hostility and to prefer reconciliation over resentment and antagonism.

Signed

Endorsed by Peace and Reconciliation Committee,

• William Goldiet
• Deng Elijah
• Joyce Paul
• Peal Jok
• Sagi Bali
• Felix Lasu
• Yohana Duop
• Natalie Nganzi
• Sila Joshua

CC:

• SPLM/A-IO Leadership in South Sudan and Diaspora,
• RTGONU, JDB and other relevant Mechanisms.
• IGAD,
• TROIKA and Partners,
• Peace Guarantors (Sudan and Uganda),
• RJMEC,
• Canada,
• European Union,
• Other members of the International Community,