Date: 23 July 2017
PRESS STATEMENT
On the 6th instant, the National Dialogue Steering Committee in Juba requested the National Democratic Movement to give audience to a delegation from them so as to discuss pertinent matters concerning “a credible, inclusive and open dialogue process in South Sudan”. Given the fact that dialogue, especially among South Sudanese, is a core policy of the NDM, it acceded to the request and it was agreed that the two delegation meet in Khartoum on the 23rd of July 2017.
Our side was led by Mr David William Tut, the Secretary General of the NDM and the other side was headed by Mr Gabriel Yoal Dok, the Deputy Co-Chair of the National Dialogue Steering Committee. The delegation from Juba explained why they wanted to the meet the NDM as came in their letter. The NDM side thanked the delegation for their explanation and presented to them a written position of the National Democratic Movement on the so-called National Dialogue as declared and inaugurated by Salva Kiir in December 2016 and May 2017, respectively. Our position was as follows:
1- President Salva Kiir caused the current armed conflict by continuously violating the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (the agreement) and eventually abrogating it in July 2016. Thus, he has no moral authority to call for a process intended to resolve the same.
2- The legal and constitutional basis of the Transitional Government of National Unity which is presided over by Salva Kiir is solely derived from the agreement. Therefore, its abrogation brings to question the legitimacy of the current government in South Sudan.
3- The National Dialogue was announced at the onset of the government’s dry season offensive and relaunched together with a unilateral ceasefire declaration at the end of that military campaign. Therefore, it was fairly obvious that it was intended to gain military advantage while hoodwinking the world into believing that the government was seriously pursuing peace.
4- Credible dialogue cannot take place while the war is raging as is the case in our country now. It can only be meaningful when the country is enjoying peace. Therefore, the timing of the present call for National Dialogue is the wrong one.
5- All the objectives spelt out for the so-called National Dialogue could have been achieved with full and faithful implementation of the agreement. Hence, the exercise was meant to sidestep or replace the agreement.
6- The venue of the launched National Dialogue is not neutral.
On the basis of the above, the delegation of the National Democratic Movement advised the Juba team that the NDM does not see any useful purpose to be served by the Juba National Dialogue, and that the only way forward was for the stakeholders to agree on a new inclusive political process to take place outside South Sudan in order to address the root causes of the ongoing armed conflict and bring peace to our war torn country.
Long live the struggle of our people
Long live South Sudan
A luta continua
Ambassador; Emmanuel Aban For/ the Spokesman
National Democratic Movement (NDM), Email: ojwokj@hotmail.com
Editor’s Note: The views expressed in the “Press Releases Page” are solely the opinions of the writers. The veracity of any claims made are the responsibility of the author’s and are not necessarily endorsed by The Malakal Post. The Malakal Post, reserves the right to edit press statement before publication. If you would like to submit an opinion article or analysis, please email your article at: info@malakalpost.com
