Sudan's Kiir says would do anything to safeguard his people' rights

President of South Sudan Salva Kiir shake hands with Uganda's Museveni in December, 2007.

Photo: 

statehouse.go.ug

March 9, 2008 (Entebbe NSV)- Sudanese First Vice President and the President of the Government of Southern Sudan H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit was received by hundreds of University Students at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe, on Friday 7th, 2008 in Uganda.

South Sudanese students welcomed the SPLM leader at the Entebbe International Airport, while waving new Sudan flag and singing SPLM songs as Kiir enlightened them about pressing issues back home.

“We will hold our position on the CPA implementation unless [the] National Congress Party (NCP) wants to destroy [the] Comprehensive Peace Agreement through use of Miserriya Arab nomads ---then history will hold them responsible if Sudan go back to war,” he said. “But I know we shall solve our differences on Abyei issue peacefully.”

Kiir says protecting and preserving the rights of his people was paramount. “I will do anything that protects my people's rights without hesitation,” he said. “Abyei issue is clearly spelt out that it belongs to Ngok Dinka [and] even though Miserriya use the land for grazing their animals --no one can chase them away but this does not mean [the land] belongs to the northern part,” he said of the Abyei issue which has become the most outstanding case unresolved between his party and its partner, the NCP.

South Sudan president Kiir hit out at what he implies amount to a proxy war in Northern Bhar El Ghazal where the Misseriya nomads have been waging persisting attacks at the border. “We have disarmed almost every tribe in Southern Sudan and I don't see why Arab nomad still hold guns. There is no doubt that Khartoum is the one arming Meseriya Arabs against the SPLA and the people of Abyei,” said the SPLM leader.

Kiir came to Uganda on special invitation from H.E. Yoweri Kaguto Museveni, President of Republic of Uganda who was received by Ugandan Minister of Defence Amama Amabazi, and accompanied by ministers from government of Southern, Dr. Samson Kwaje Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Luka Biong minister for presidential affairs, Gabriel Marial Benjamin minister for regional cooperation plus the chief of staff Gen. Oyai Deng Ajak and deputy commander in chief of operation James Hoth.

Museveni acknowledged the crucial role South Sudan is playing with its brokering of the peace negotiations between his government and the notorious rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army.

“I salute you president Kiir and I salute the people of Southern Sudan for initiating historic peace to the people of Uganda,“ said Museveni. “The people of Uganda have now started to enjoy peace.”

Both Museveni and Kiir signed several pacts, regarding communication and transport, amongst others. In addition, Kiir told the South Sudanese students his government had reached a deal with Museveni for South Sudanese students to pay same tuition fees as Ugandan nationals would. “I have signed with the Uganda president to allow all of our students to pay the same tuition fees as their natives,’ said Kiir to the jubilant students. However, he advised that “I want all of you to respect natives of this country, accord them respect and study very well with them without creating problems.”

The president also took time to appreciate the few girls who had made it to higher education and encouraged them to work harder to fill their allotted share of the 25% seats in the government. He said days were gone when girls were only needed for bride price “so lets encourage girls education for our national development."

Kiir and his delegation have returned to Southern Sudan.

*Edited by Mading Ngor