FULL-TEXT | Statement by Honorable Henry Odwar for support to Kitgwang Declaration

JUBA – South Sudan’s former mining minister and deputy SPLM-IO chairman has issued a statement declaring his support for the Kitgwang Declaration. Below is the full text statement.

 

SUDAN PEOPLE’S LIBERATION MOVEMENT/ARMY IN OPPOSITION

 

Declaration of Support

Sunday, August 8, 2021

We, the SPLM in Opposition (SPLM – 10) members and leaders in and outside the country convened an urgent virtual meeting under the auspices of the Deputy Chairman and Deputy Commander in Chief of the SPLM/A – (10), Hon. Henry Odwar, and ceased the opportunity to respond to the Kit-Gwang Declaration and the outcome of the Political Bureau meeting that took place in Juba on August 4, 2021.

After careful and considerable reflection with party leaders, civil society leaders, Intellectuals and Professionals, community supporters, SPLM – (10) Representatives, Party Chapters, and SPLM/A – (10) cadres, we:

Appreciate and recognize the ever-courageous stand and position of the Generals led by the Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual on the full implementation of the Security Arrangements as the core to achieving i. a sustainable peace and security in South Sudan,

Acknowledge and applaud Kit Gwang Declaration’s call for the full and unconditional implementation of the security arrangements as stipulated in the R-ARCSS to be overseen by the United Nations or governments outside the region,

Evaluated the state of the peace agreement and the exacerbating effect of non-implementation on the citizens of South Sudan as due to the prevailing status quo,

Are alarmed and dismayed by the silence exhibited by Dr. Machar during the indefinite detention and Restriction of Movement by the IGAD Heads of State which is construed as a weakness of SPLM/A – (10), and interpreted as a surrender,

Appraised the deplorable state of our citizens who have been lied to and deceived for the last ten years on hollow hopes of peace for every South Sudanese,

Note with serious concerns the mismanagement of scarce resources of the country resulting into unabated corruption that has reached new pinnacles, entrenching the kleptocratic few and their beneficiaries who continue to regain legitimacy through renewed peace agreements that hamper peoples-centered constitutional process,

Regret and decry the failure to stand up to SPLM/A–IG’s refusal to fund the implementation of the R- ARCSS stipulated provisions,

Are discouraged and disappointed using the so-called SPLM/A – (10) Pyramid Hotel Leadership meetings as a tactic to circumvent the official policy of taking decision as enshrined in the SPLM/A – (10) documents,

Note with grave concern Dr. Riek Machar’s dismissal of the Chief of General Staff for his refusal to take up an Advisory Position to President Salva Kiir Mayardit,

Are troubled and disturbed by Dr. Riek Machar’s weak and compromised leadership quality that failed former Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – Nasir Faction, South Sudan Independent Movement (SSIM), and now threatening the SPLM/A – (I0),

Witness the continued fighting for survival among the country’s youths and the devastation brought by cattle raiding in the absence of the rule of law, and

Deplore the continuous unbearable suffering of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) and Refugees in and outside the country.

On the SPLM – (1O) Pyramid Hotel Political Bureau statement on Kit-Gwang Declaration of August 4, 2021, we are:

Dismayed by the Dr. Machar’s overt avoidance of the SPLA – (10) Military Command’s structure, and illegitimately dismissing and reassigning Senior Officers singlehandedly. Devastated by the negligence and failure of Dr. Riek’s leadership regarding the abject conditions at the cantonment and training centers that have resulted into abandonment and, deaths of some forces,

Discouraged by Dr. Machar’s lack of meaningful engagement and questioning the shortcomings of the main Peace Partner’s manipulative nature in the genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS.

After considering the legitimate points preserved in the Kit-Gwang declaration addressing the reasons, challenges, and the process of saving the country through the implementation of the peace accord and other legitimate means for the benefit of the people of South Sudan;

We, the undersigned members of the SPLM – (1O), in our various capacities in the PB, NLC, Committees, Country Representatives, and SPLM – (10) passionate cadres endorse the Kit-Gwang Declaration and give our blessings to the Interim leadership of Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual and his team to steer the Movement and chart a more democratic and people’s centered path.

Notwithstanding all the above, we passionately appeal to all South Sudanese and, not least, the Opposition Groups, to stand united in demanding for a just and lasting peace that will bring prosperity for all.

Sign:

Henry Dillah Odwar, Deputy Chairperson and

Deputy Commander in Chief of SPLM (IO).