THE WESTERN UPPER NILE INFORMATION DESK - SOUTH SUDAN

TOPIC No: 001/Jan/001/2002

Dated: 25 January, 2002

Title

SPLA/SPDF Nairobi Unity declaration turn Western Upper Nile region in turmoil and confusion

by

THE WESTERN UPPER NILE INFORMATION DESK IN NAIROBI - KENYA

Contact person: Koang Tut Doh

ORCD, Executive Director

P. O. BOX 2169- 00200 Nairobi, Kenya

E. Mail: ktut2001@yahoo.com

SPLA/SPDF Nairobi Unity declaration turn Western Upper Nile Region in turmoil and confusion

To day it is the fifth (5th ) week after the famous Nairobi unity declaration between SPLM/SPLA on one hand and the SPDF on the other hand. It was an agreement which was being regarded by many as a positive step toward South Sudanese unity and possibly may bring to an end the longest conflict in Africa.

Nevertheless, that was not the case in the fields of Southern Sudan despite the positive rections from the intellectual community of South Sudan and the international community as well.

In South Sudan particularly within the rank and file of the rebel movements of SPDF and the SPLA alike, the reaction is totally mixed; many received it with disbelieved, anger and fear, others with caution and rejection.

Among the SPDF forces in Upper Nile region, the reaction to the news of unity agreement between SPLM/SPDF under the historical name of the SPLM/SPLA was a total disbelieve and unimaginable because they ask themselves with a lot of questions and among them is that “why have we been fighting each other for the last elevent (11) years”? we thought they said, we were fighting to change the name SPLM/SPLA which was confusing the liberation struggle and was associating itself with the liberation of the whole Sudan not South Sudan as our internal interest tells us and instead should be changed with an objective of self-determination for the people of south sudan and other marginalized areas if they wish the SPDF soldiers in the field asked this tough political question.

In Western Upper Nile region, the oilfields front line state, the SPDF officers and men welcome the declaration but with great deal of reservations and skepticism and were very much concerned that the new SPLM/SPLA should first and foremost provided them with necessary military supplies and new structures of the new united movement, otherwise, they will not just jump in to it or honor it as authentic truth and shall remain observance to such peace deal they said .

As a result, the deputy governor of Liech state Rt.L.Col Simon Manyang Kech, Cdr. James Liah Diu, Cdr. David Makuol Ruot, Cdr. Madol Bitiem, Cdr.James Gatduel Gatluak, Cdr.Ruai Kuol Jal, Cdr. James Gatluak Jok,Cdr. Peter Par Jiek and General Paulino Matiep Nhial are quoted by the Western Upper Nile information desk in the field in Western Upper Niile region as to be regarding the agreement as a joke, deception and trickery on the side of the SPLM/SPLA leadership in particular Dr. John Garang whom they think is always cunny and deceptive and only interested in Nuer forces to fight for his leadership and not interested in Nuer leaders and their people, therefore, for that matter they dont trust it and believe it, unless, otherwise, their immediate demands of military supplies and restructuring of the new movement is already done before they rejoined.

Furthermore, they said, we are not going to stop our field cooperation with other friendly forces in the region nor to declare any cease fire with the SPLA forces of Western Upper Nile of Cdr. Peter Gatdet. As a result, on 25/01/2002 the forces of those commanders above had a bloody fighting with SPLA forces and allied SPDF forces who have committed themselves to this peace deal between the two leaders Dr. Machar and Dr. Garang. This fighting is continuing to the presence day.

This is of course, a very serious decision that may even lead to the failure of the agreement itself

if they are not genuinely convinced by the leadership of SPDF on one hand and SPLM/SPLA on the other hand to accept this peace deal with the SPLM/SPLA, otherwise, it may be like another colourful Khartoum peace agreement which was lastly thrown in to dustbin before it was realized.

For your information, from Western Upper Nile information desk. We are watching on such development and we shall let you know.

Thank you for now,

The Western Upper Nile information desk shall keep an eye on the development of the situation in Western Upper Nile and shall keep you inform.