SPLM TO REJECT POSTPONEMENT OF ELECTIONS

March 28, 2010 - While the northern opposition, the international community elections monitors and some neighboring countries are suggesting that elections be postponed for reasons connected with the none demarcation of the north-south borders, the security laws, the media laws and the polling logistics and so on, which reasons are so strong for fair, just and creditable elections, but judging from the history and tactics of the northern political leaders in respect to the southern problem, one is obliged to say that the northern opposition is harboring a secret agenda.

They can never be sincere. They want the SPLA to make a mistake which can be used to justify return to war, thus forever closing the door for independence of south Sudan .

The SPLA must know that the CPA was signed between them and the NCP only. For them to open the door wide so as to invite the old insincere Khartoum political players in the game now is nothing, but to take us back to square one. Yes, the NCP are in for elections 100%, but this is only a weapon against the ICC as far as they are concern. I am definitely sure that the northern opposition is hoping and maybe working for the arrest of Beshir as from now to November 2010. If Omer Beshir being a sitting head of state was arrested today, the country would find itself in complete chaos and anarchy. The army would feel obliged to step in or at best a national government would be formed which would include those opposition parties which did not take part in the CPA negotiations. This is what those so-called opposition parties want so as to initiate renegotiation of the CPA. The SPLA should understand that the southern people want nothing other than a sovereign independent state of their own. We are just left with ten months to realize this. In other words, an independent south will take care of its own security and media laws. The north-south borders should be our only main concern at present. According to the CPA, general elections must precede the referendum. Overstepping the elections is a gross inconsistency capable of being challenged to the extend of jeopardy the secession of the south.

In order to achieve the well felt independence of the southern Sudan , the southern people must put aside their differences and engage in a joint campaign to vote for no against unity with the north. A lot have been written about the negatives of the administration in the south. I think that is enough. Let us give those standing in the elections the chance to peacefully engage in their campaigns, be they people issued with tickets by their respective political parties or running on their own. Ten months period is not a long time. We should utilize it to unite our ranks and files and work to educate and inform our illiterate community why, how, when and where to vote in the referendum. & nbsp;
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the northern political leaders without exception are people who are by nature liars, deceitful, insincere and wicked and cannot be trusted. If they could not accept mere regional government for the south at the time when it was doubted whether or not the south could be economically viable to stand on its own feet, how can we expect them this time to honor the CPA when they know that the south is now swimming in oil? The northern opposition parties are therefore only looking for an opportunity whereby the expression 'self-determination for the south in a referendum to be carried out in the ten southern states,' is erased from the CPA. We should therefore not waste our precious and valuable time holding each other's throats on matters connected with the administration of the south during the last five years. Togetherness and joint forceful publicity campaign should be our motto so as to realize our aspirations for a free, just and democratic south Sudan .

The author is a South Sudanese currently living the United States ; he can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.