Another 1947 sellout.

Another 1947 Sellout Juba All Political Parties Conference

BY: Isaiah Abraham, JUBA

OCT 3/2009, SSN; The Juba conference that has brought in more than twenty political parties, mainly from the North, has come and gone, but confusion swirls around on what this meeting really achieved or will achieve as far as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) is concerned.

To the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and participants, the Conference is a reconciliation gesture among political parties in the countries and a test of political waters, whether it's in the interest of the party to enter into an alliance with any or all the political parties for possible removal of the National Congress Party (NCP), or go it alone in the upcoming general elections.

Who was excluded sends a different bad signal, more of 'To others including this author, the Conference isn't in the interest of the CPA (read Referendum and the border demarcation) , the Darfur, the elections issues or any other burning issue (s) between the two peace partners, because of the following reasons: The Conference false start, a situation in which the NCP was sidelined. To outsiders even the NCP, this is just a mere 'maumara' against the NCP by the organizers (SPLM).

You might disagree but this where we got it just off wrong. How do we intend to pass our resolutions without the blessing of the NCP party; whether you like this party or not, they are in power and in all partners in the CPA.

Second, on the same argument is the position of the host party (SPLM). The SPLM isn't in the opposition, but equal partner with the NCP, what will this mean to their position in the government when they play the double standard roles? In another word, there are common positions by the government and once that is done, the others are required to toe, where will this lead the SPLM in the cabinet. Take for example the Darfur peace process in Doha.

The other issue is the talks on referendum modalities, border demarcation, and others (not census, there is no justification to quarrel there). The move by the SPLM will jeopardize those talks as the two sides positions might tighten, and if that is done, even the election we are talking about won't be there.

The two sides confrontation isn't good for peace, even the Darfur. Referendum discussion is on the right track given the President last night assurances and the few details we all know. This question is begging before one could finish the issues we are talking about; why the hurry to shop for another partner when the NCP has shown it again and again that they are serious, not just in rhetoric's but in deeds?

The forth argument is that Juba Conference will embolden other opposition forces internally and externally to stage a change through a coup. We know what color these parties have and therefore very awkward for the SPLM to stand on the way- the cause of the people of Southern Sudan, just months away.

Our Southern Political forces did an excellent job to walk away, these men and women wasted tax payers money for nothing, when they know well it won't be implemented. If it is not an alliance and not anything closer to unity, what is it?

Again, if it isn't renegotiation of the CPA, what did these get the idea of confederation from? The SPLM lives in the illusion that pressuring Khartoum is the best option, but sometimes such scheme can backfire. Others have their own interests apart from the interest of the constituency the party purports to represent.

This is exactly what happened in the 1947, when our leaders were hoodwinked to abandon the Closed District practice in favor of unity with the North. It happened at the same period at the same city and reminiscently, the party (SPLM) should have avoided using that fateful title.

Malek Aggar and the group must stop preaching rubbish to our ears, no unity now and forever, understand!

Mr. Amum, what do you want to our people? Why do you personalized the Southern problem? What do you think you are doing? You want to do the same mistake like our leaders in that year (1947), aren't you? Who is by the way is following you? You are a great man and you shouldn't succumb to USA unrealistic strategies to change sovereign governments.

Fortunately, the new Obama diplomatic script against the NCP is working- its good for peace. Please cease from those clandestine secret activities. The NCP is real, they will deliver! Others won't. They are political turncoats and busybodies who want to ride on the SPLM back.

Even the current international pressure, a situation where a head of state is opprobriously and malignly charged by a US proxy so-called crusaders against impunity, could have bother you. The SPLM then ought to stand with the NCP at this critical time and forget banking on foreign forces and utopians.

Talking alone never helps others, and we don't need rude shocks of our lives. We have been saying this many times. If for the vision, the New Sudan vision has been clarified and the CPA has offered that answer through the people. It's not anymore in the court yard of the politicians.

My plea is for the SPLM to be conscious of people's will and stop being others, but themselves. If you boycott the election, we will hold you accountable; the election is a mandatory and you got to go for it. Don't apply any exit ploy here, you are in partnership until 2011