[Commentary] South Sudan cabinet extends SSLA term

We are actually in a middle of a terrible mess. And it is obvious that the whole CPA is being implemented in a way that is [contrary] to both the spirit and the letter,” comments Dr Justin Ambago Ramba, USSP Secretary General, on Sudan Tribune's website report of 6 June 2009 that “Cabinet extends southern Sudan parliament term” [accessed by USSP on 06-Jun-2009].

“Every article in this truce has been systematically violated by the peace partners. As we can clearly see that the Article 65 of the Southern Sudan Constitution puts it that the elections were supposed to be held not later than the end of the fourth year of the Interim Period, however, the National Electoral Board decided to delay it to February 2010.

Furthermore as we are now left with only 8 months to go, given the huge part of the agreement unfulfilled, the border demarcations, the voters' registration, the freedom laws, and above all the census results, which remains an impeding block, I personally remain quite pessimistic to any elections taking place in coming February.

The governments can comfortably go on extending their terms in office, while we wait for democracy to come from the sky above.

And with the referendum law taken hostage by the ruling Islamists of the NCP, South Sudanese need to put in more efforts both internally and internationally lest 2011 come and go while we still languish under the riverine Arabs.”