[Fwd] FT: Cowboy capitalists short-change south Sudan's novice rulers

[An outsider's view of the state of affairs in South Sudan]

Cowboy capitalists short-change south Sudan's novice rulers
By Barney Jopson (Published: January 22 2008 02:00 -- © Financial Times)
...
But as entrepreneurs repatriate their quick bucks, the town's [Juba's] economy is stagnating and the process of development has barely started.

The divide between the two does matter because it means south Sudan is not building what it needs: the foundations of a viable state...

Because of inexperience, corruption and the absence of any state apparatus - as well as the international community's decision to focus on Darfur - it has little to show for its efforts. Until three years ago Juba was a garrison town controlled by Khartoum and it remains little more than a super-sized village with barely 1km of paved road...

David Gressly, the deputy resident co-ordinator for the UN, says the town's cowboy capitalism must be tamed: "One of the key challenges ... is to put in place an investment code, together with clear laws on property rights that are enforced by the judiciary."

"Let me reassure you we know what's going on. We've decided to let them [the foreign traders] have a good time until we get the legal system in place," says Barri Wanji, chair of the south Sudan parliament's finance committee.

(link to view complete article © Financial Times)

USSP Public Meeting Held in London, Sat 19th Jan

An interactive USSP public meeting was held in London last Saturday, 19th Jan, with members of the South Sudanese community resident in the UK. A number of participants travelled from various locations outside London. USSP's leader, Clement Mbugoniwia, read a speech (listen to short clip) followed by a panel discussion comprising a group of USSP party officials.

In his speech, Mr Mbugoniwia reiterated the importance and need to form USSP as the only political party that is genuinely articulating the aspirations of the people of South Sudan for an independent sovereign state. (The Party was formed in 2005 in the UK by concerned South Sudanese and in 2006 was fully registered as a political party in Sudan.) He quoted the late SPLM/A leader Dr John Garang de Mabior’s statement that “the SPLM/A is fighting for the liberation of the whole Sudan. Those who want to fight for the South let them fight and when they reach Kosti [North/South border] they may stop there while the rest of you continue with me to liberate the whole Sudan.” Mr Mbugoniwia said that both USSP and the South Sudanese people have now reached that point, and have decided to organise themselves in order to fight for the independence of South Sudan in the 2011 referendum. He pointed out that USSP continues to receive overwhelming support across South Sudan from grassroots supporters and other civil society groups in the country.

Given that both parties to the CPA (the SPLM and the NCP) have agreed to make the unity of Sudan “the priority of the Parties” and have further agreed to “Design and implement the Peace Agreement so as to make the unity of the Sudan an attractive option especially to the people of South Sudan” (CPA Chapter I Part A: “Agreed Principles” Article 1.1 and Article 1.5.5), USSP believes that any call for an independent South Sudan by the SPLM will undermine its commitment to the CPA as well as its ideology of a “New Sudan”. The claim for making unity attractive as the only option, therefore, does not justify the cause of the long wars that have claimed over 2.5 million lives in more than two decades. USSP thinks that focusing on the one option of making unity attractive, without focusing on the other option of independence, will not address the aspirations of the people of South Sudan who have suffered for so long under a united Sudan. Given that Sudan has failed as a country to live in peace since its independent from Great Britain in 1956, USSP does not see how a united Sudan will bring about permanent peace. Therefore, the concept of a united Sudan is a fallacy, and a waste of time and resources. It does not bring about long-lasting peace but a cycle of violence and destruction. USSP will, therefore, recommend to all the united people of South Sudan the option of an independent state in the 2011 referendum as stipulated in the CPA. USSP’s message is that all South Sudanese people, political organisations, civil societies, groups, and individuals, must not be complacent and think that referendum equals separation or referendum will come easily on a golden plate. A lot of collective work needs to be done to achieve independence.

As a party, USSP has set the following goals:

1. The security of all citizens and residents and the rule of law are the number one priority.

2. Basic needs for all citizens such as food, clean drinking water, health and affordable housing in order to bring about tangible development.

3. Education that will reflect the needs of South Sudan in the 21st century.

4. Eradication of all forms of regionalism, tribalism, nepotism, corruption and the misuse of power through stringent legislation.

5. Involvement of more women in public affairs and development. Women in our society form the majority of our population; they are the mother of our nation. Giving women a mere 25% share in government and public office is not enough. Women must have equal rights in South Sudanese society as all other human beings.

6. Independence of South Sudan as the ultimate goal and the only alternative to stop the cycle of war and violence that have bedevilled South Sudan for decades.

7. South Sudan’s foreign policy towards its neighbouring states will be to maintain peace and harmony among nations, including North Sudan.

8. The recognition of and the paying of tribute to those generations who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of South Sudan and those whose faces and names may never be known. We owe them the duty to lead our beloved South Sudan into a new era of freedom and independence.

The following is an excerpt from among the many questions and comments raised by members of the audience:

Question: “South Sudan’s interim constitution and its role in South Sudan’s cooperation with neighbouring states, the AU, etc.” USSP reiterated its foreign policy of ensuring good neighbourliness and the approach of using peaceful means to resolve of any conflicts, within the context of the existing Interim Constitution of South Sudan.

Comment: “The SPLM/A have all along preached about good ethics and values but have clearly fallen short, and have not practised what they preached, by permitting the malpractices of tribalism, nepotism and corruption to pervade South Sudanese society. The SPLM-led government may not be in power forever, so USSP needs to put pressure on the SPLM to rid itself and South Sudan of such malpractices.” USSP maintained the position of “power belonging to the people” and reminded the participants that before the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement South Sudanese were a united people across all parts of South Sudan. Tribalism, nepotism and corruption have only been aggravated in the recent past by successive regimes. All South Sudanese people have the power to fight the malpractices of regionalism, tribalism, nepotism and corruption, and bring about unity and progress into their lives.

USSP's Position On The Current Political Developments In South Sudan

As the nation marks the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement three years ago this Wed 9th January, it is important and commendable that both partners to the Agreement -- the SPLM and the NCP -- have now resumed their joint work towards its full implementation. However, it is to be noted that any unilateral actions or decisions by either partner that have a tendency to jeopardise the implementation of all the remaining protocols of the CPA are not in the interest of the people of South Sudan and, therefore, must be rejected. The aspirations of the people of South Sudan for an independent sovereign state, through the 2011 referendum, can only be achieved if the CPA is implemented in its entirety, and its contents fully and clearly explained to the people of South Sudan. Equally important is the role of the international community which remains indispensable to ensure that the Agreement is actually implemented and implemented to the letter to avoid future problems...

Download full printable PDF document:
USSP's Position On The Current Political Developments In South Sudan

USSP Cordially Invites All South Sudanese and Friends to Public Meeting in London Sat 19 Jan 2008 from 2 pm

Somers Town Community Centre
150 Ossulston Street, Camden
London, NW1 1EE

Download flyer and map...

Please email any comments and/or requests to
usspmail @ gmail.com. Thank you.

USSP's Christmas and New Year Message

Download PDF version...

Fellow South Sudanese and all Sudanese,

On behalf of the United South Sudan Party (USSP), I take this opportunity to wish you all Happy Christmas and Prosperous 2008. Likewise, I congratulate all Muslims on the successful completion of their Eid al-Adha celebration.

Between October and November 2007, I visited our beloved South Sudan after more than ten years in exile. During my visit, I met with some of our people including members of the civil society and the South Sudan Legislative Assembly in Juba, the Capital of South Sudan. The aspirations of the people of South Sudan for peace and the right to eventually vote for an independent, sovereign South Sudan in the referendum scheduled for 2011 remain unequivocal. USSP would like to assure the people of South Sudan that it is firmly committed to the promotion of peace and democracy, and the unity of all South Sudanese people, for the common goal of an independent state. I believe that wherever you are, you will join me in prayers for peace to prevail throughout our motherland, for justice to reign and for all of us to be driven by the spirit of goodwill towards one another as we work together for the birth of the sovereign state of South Sudan. In this third Christmas of peace-time South Sudan after the signing of the CPA, our thoughts and prayers turn to all those who died in the course of the struggle for justice in our country—may their souls rest in peace. For those in our country or in exile who are unable to be with their families during this holy season, especially those who are in hospitals or held in prisons for whatever reason, may they feel the spirit of Christmas, too.

The year 2007 is a year that has been marked by moments of mixed hope and despair. As it comes to its close, the message we wish to convey to you all is one of hope and dedication to peace. We urge the partners to the CPA—the SPLM and the NCP—to exercise wisdom and good judgement to see the need to implement the CPA fully without any reservation. We pray that the discovery and exploitation of oil in South Sudan must not be a curse for South Sudan and the whole Sudan or an obstacle to peace, but rather a blessing to the whole country. Therefore, we urge the partners to the agreement to take immediate steps to implement the Abyei protocol without further delay and reservation in order to ensure the full implementation of the CPA. We take this opportunity to thank all those who worked tirelessly and with full determination to bring about peace to our country. We urge them all to persist in their noble efforts to ensure that the peace is sustained. Sustaining the peace calls for more than just lip service. It requires a concerted effort and a willingness on the part of all parties to make it work. USSP hopes that the New Year will witness that necessary commitment and willingness.

In the year 2007 our country has seen much violence, including the cold-blooded killings of three senior police officers in Western Equatoria State (WES) and Ugandan residents in Juba. May the souls of all victims of violence in our country rest in peace, and may justice reign supreme in our country. We urge the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to take concerted and adequate measures to ensure that law and order prevail in the post-war South Sudan. At the moment there is no way of knowing that peace actually exists in South Sudan because most citizens are worried and fearful of threats to their lives by those who are able to take the law into their own hands without fear of any punishment. I have fears and concerns that the culture of violence is becoming endemic in our country. Clear examples are the senseless killings that took place in Western Equatoria and Jonglei States in recent months. Some elements in the security forces or tribal groups use maximum force as an instrument of first resort, intimidation and coercion to get what they want. This is unacceptable and is sowing the seeds of anarchy. It must never be allowed be the norm in the year 2008. The role of the Government is to protect its citizens as well as other nationalities who reside in the country to ensure that every human being is respected by Government agencies by practising the respect for human rights and human dignity and demonstrating that every person is equal before the law. I believe that without these universal norms, violence, intimidation, coupled with criminal activities of social groups that may have been created as a result of inadequate enforcement of law for a long period of time on one section of the population, may lead to massive unrest, further conflict, widespread poverty and death. Starvation may also become inevitable due to new waves of displacement. It is high time the people of South Sudan began to receive and enjoy the dividends of peace. Such an ideal is impossible in the presence of tribalism, corruption, nepotism, favouritism, intimidation and insecurity.

USSP is fully committed to the unity of South Sudan, the rule of law and the freedom of speech, so that those in authority may become fully accountable to the people of South Sudan. Without the above ideals, there can never be peace in South Sudan. The partners to the CPA must genuinely commit themselves to work together for peace, for the speedy transformation of South Sudan from war to a stable, democratic country that will uphold all the principles of the rule of law. Only then will peace be achievable and sustainable. USSP will seek to work with all political parties in South Sudan to play its part in the peace process.

South Sudan has a right to be free and independent.

Again, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year!

Clement Mbugoniwia
USSP Party Leader
Tel: +44(0)7810 536392

"Sudan's CPA: Where To Next?" Discussion In the UK House of Commons -- Associate Parliamentary Group on Sudan

Date: December 10th 2007
Venue: APG on Sudan - UK House of Commons
Chair: Mr David Drew MP, Chair of the APG on Sudan
Announced By Sudan APG (www.sudanapg.org) on Dec 5th, 2007

Main Speakers:
• Omer Siddig (Ambassador of Sudan to the UK)
• Kuyok Abol Kuyok (General Secretary of SPLM UK)
• Dr Douglas Johnson (Abyei Boundaries Commission)
• Michael O’Neill (UK Special Representative on Sudan)

Participants:
• United South Sudan Party (see USSP Leader's statement [PDF])
• Representatives of other Sudanese political parties
• Civil society groups
• Members of the Sudanese public in the UK
• Other interested parties

Issues Discussed (among others):
Abyei, South Kordofan & Blue Nile • Redeployment of SAF North of Border • Provisions for Census • South's Oil Share • President Bashir's Instigation of Popular Defence Forces to War • etc...

An interactive heated debate ensued between the representatives of the parties to the CPA (the Sudanese Ambassador's team and the SPLM UK Gen Sec's team). In addition, Dr Douglas Johnson of the ABC was forced to defend his (and the ABC's) position after being implicated by the Ambassador's team of "modifying" dates with regard to the ABC's mandate to define and demarcate the "Abyei Area" of the nine Ngok Dinka Chiefdoms transferred to Kordofan in 1905. The overall debate eventually engulfed the whole floor, and with so many participants eagerly raising their hands to give statements or ask questions, there was hardly enough opportunity for all. Dr Johnson underlined that the NCP may reject the ABC's report but their refusal to implement the Abyei Border Protocol constitutes a violation of CPA Article 2.6. He further stressed that without the implementation of the Abyei Border Protocol, the CPA effectively runs the risk of not being implemented at all!

BBC Interview: USSP Leader Reiterates Call for South Sudan's Independence

While being interviewed by BBC's Network Africa Wednesday morning in their London studio, USSP Leader Clement Mbugoniwia reiterated the Party's call for the independence of South Sudan. Asked why USSP is calling for independence at this time rather than waiting until the referendum in 2011, Mr Mbugoniwia replied that the only opportunity that the Party has to put forth the option of independence for the people of South Sudan is this time now. "If you wait until 2011 there will be no other opportunity for South Sudanese to make that decision..." He continued, "What we are saying is that let all options be made available. Those of us who want the independence of South Sudan have a good reason to give as to why we want the independence of South Sudan..."

Click here to listen to an audio clip... © BBC Network Africa.

You may also further listen to daily editions of BBC Network Africa on their Web site... You may need RealPlayer to listen online.

--- PRESS CONFERENCE ---USSP for Independent South Sudan

Download print-friendly PDF version here.


Date: Tue, 13 November 2007
KHARTOUM, SUDAN


Honourable members of various political parties;
Members of diplomatic corps;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Good afternoon.

In the name of peace, and on behalf of myself and colleagues in the United South Sudan Party (USSP), I warmly welcome you all to this important press conference. Today, USSP salutes the collective efforts of all the Sudanese people who sacrifice their lives for the sake of peace, liberty, respect for human rights and human dignity and justice for all. For those who died in the course of this struggle, may their souls rest in peace?

Today, I am announcing the activities of our party, the United South Sudan Party (USSP), here in Khartoum State. This party was formed in 2005 and was registered here in Khartoum in 2006. USSP believes in permanent peace and therefore supports the complete implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in its entirety. As a party, we aspire for the achievement of an independent South Sudan. A South Sudan that will have good relationships with its neighbours, including the present Sudan, should that become the case; a South Sudan that will be built on democratic principles with respect for the rule of law, human rights and zero tolerance on tribalism, nepotism, corruption, favouritism, regionalism and the abuse of power.

Why does USSP prefer the independence of South Sudan to a united Sudan?

We believe that a united Sudan is unachievable. It is a fallacy. It is a forced idea that does not come naturally. Therefore, it is not workable, a waste of time, human life and resources.

Sudan has failed to be peaceful as a nation. Since independence from Great Britain in 1956, Sudan has experienced no harmony, no peace, but war. Over 2.5 million people have died in South Sudan since independence from Great Britain. No agreement between South Sudan and Northern Sudan has ever worked. There is no evidence that it will ever work in our day. Instead, the misery of the people of South Sudan has continuously increased as a result of trying to force unity between Northern Sudan and South Sudan. USSP believes that democracy will not be justified if the people of South Sudan, who suffer the most from this relationship with the North, are not given the democratic right to choose between independence and unity of Sudan. They are the sufferers, the victims of this forced relationship and deserve the right to choose the direction of their destiny. That is why USSP supports the Naivasha Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) unequivocally.

The simple question to the proponents of a united Sudan is: Why perpetuate the suffering of the people of South Sudan? Doesn't South Sudan deserve to live in peace, comfort, security and prosperity like other countries? All these human aspirations are impossible under a united Sudan. No arrangement will work, whether autonomy or whatever name is given to it; as long as it is within a united Sudan, it will not work. That is a fact as demonstrated by the agreements we have witnessed in our life time, e.g. the Addis Ababa Peace Accord, the Khartoum Peace Agreement, the Fashoda Agreement - even the current CPA is in danger of being abrogated, and the CPA calls on the partners to make the unity of Sudan attractive! Why is it that the provisions of the CPA are not implemented in accordance with the time frame? As a party, we blame the lack of progress on the partners to the CPA (the NCP and the SPLM) as well as the international community that helped to broker this valuable agreement. Enough is enough of war, our country needs peace and that peace is in the CPA. We call upon all peace-loving nations to press for peace in Sudan; a complete implementation of the CPA is badly needed to rescue this opportunity for peace.

The surest way to bring about everlasting peace in Sudan is by having an independent South Sudan. Both the North and the South will benefit from a closer relationship of equals with mutual respect. Both will benefit from trans-national trade co-operation and other meaningful co-operations which will cement the peace achieved. The existing relationship between the North and the South is that of one-sided exploitation and suppression of the freedom of the South by the North. Denial of these fundamental facts will not benefit anybody. It will only perpetuate present problems and compound future ones. An independent South Sudan will, therefore, benefit not only the Sudan itself, but the entire world.

An independent South Sudan should never be feared as a nation that will prevent the world from enjoying its resources. An independent South Sudan will provide opportunities to all friendly countries of the world to participate in its development. So, all peace-loving nations of the world should support the independence of South Sudan without reservation.

I just arrived from Juba a few days ago and have not seen any evidence that the vital things that are needed to provide the dividend of peace to the people of South Sudan exist. This is because the CPA is not being implemented as it is. We call upon the NCP to fulfil their part by implementing the CPA fully so that the SPLM are able to resume their responsibilities. USSP has the vision, ideas, the determination and commitment needed to bring about the necessary change South Sudan needs.

USSP is the only True Alternative.

Thank you so much for listening.

Clement Juma Mbugoniwia
USSP Leader
Khartoum, Sudan
E-mail: clementjuma@tiscali.co.uk
USSP E-mail: usspmail@gmail.com
Blog: ussp-news.blogspot.com

[JUBA POST] SSLA Speaker Welcomes USSP

LAST UPDATED: [2007-11-12 20:28:03]

Speaker welcomes the United South Sudan Party

Staff writer

JUBA (9 Nov.) The Speaker of South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA), Hon. James Wani Igga, welcomes the new “United South Sudan Party” as a multi-party conglomerate.

Wani greatly regretted recent developments in the country which he blamed on the SPLM partner, the National Congress Party.

The leader of United South Sudan Party, Mr. Clement [Mbugoniwia], regretted the inadequate steps taken by the Southern Sudan parliament to bring to justice anybody who embezzles public funds for the good governance of the South. Clement maintains his party’s position and readiness for an independent South Sudan to support the interest of southern Sudanese. Read complete article on Juba Post's Web site...

UN's Radio "Miraya FM" Interviews USSP Party Leader

The United Nations' Radio Miraya FM interviewed Saturday morning USSP's Party Leader Mr Clement Mbugoniwia. "The interview will be broadcast again at 17:30 local time (14:30 UTC) on Sunday, 11 Nov 07", confirmed Miraya FM's Senior Programmes Editor, Richard Khamis. Miraya FM may be listened to online here (using RealPlayer) or here (using Windows Media Player).

Stay tuned...

-- USSP Secretariat

--- PRESS RELEASE ---Police Killings in Western Equatoria

Date: 6th November 2007
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

USSP would like to make the following statement to the South Sudanese people in response to the recent shooting by the JIU (Joint Integrated Unit) in Yambio, Western Equatoria State (WES), that claimed the lives of three senior police officers, and the malicious allegations that have been fabricated by some elements who do not want to be told the truth about the unacceptable state of affairs in Juba (Capital of South Sudan). We would like to confirm that USSP will neither be intimidated nor bullied by any political party that seeks to undermine others for their personal gains.

As a party, we urge that the transformation from war epoch to peaceful democratic South Sudan is now imperative than any other time before so as to enable the people of South Sudan to realise their aspirations for a free, independent, democratic South Sudan in which there will be no room for tribalism, nepotism, favouritism, corruption and the abuse of power.

We refute the propaganda that has been orchestrated against USSP that it is linked to “the CIA” or a branch of SSDF (South Sudan Democratic Forum) of Mr. Bona Malwal or connected to the newly formed party of Mr D. De Chan. We challenge those responsible for this malicious propaganda to come forward with any evidence they may have to prove their allegations, otherwise USSP is prepared to take further action on this matter. We confirm that USSP has no connection whatsoever with the so-called “CIA” or any other political groups in Sudan. We rely on ourselves and the people of South Sudan for any material or human support. This is because we do not want to give allegiance to any one other than the people of South Sudan so that we are able to focus on our goal -- the independence of South Sudan.

We strongly condemn the barbaric attack carried out by some lawless elements in the JIU stationed in Yambio, WES, on Sunday 4th Nov. 2007, in which three senior police officers were murdered while carrying out their national duty; may their souls rest in peace. In condemning this criminal behaviour we call upon the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) to take tough and appropriate measures to bring those responsible for the killings to justice. In addition to any criminal investigations that may be underway, we demand a full and comprehensive public enquiry into the conduct of the JIU in WES and the consequent killings of the three police officers forthwith.

Furthermore, we strongly recommend that the JIU forces stationed in WES or any other parts of South Sudan must consist of different ethnic groups so as to maintain balance in the force. We understand that the JIU forces in WES are mainly from one ethnic group; this is abnormal especially when such forces have a history of abuse of power in the past. We demand that the Minister responsible for security and order in GOSS must issue a statement to apologise on behalf of GOSS to the citizens of WES and to explain to the people of South Sudan his rationale for such deployment or otherwise his position has become untenable.


Clement Juma Raphael Mbugoniwia
USSP Leader
Juba - South Sudan
E-mail: clementjuma@tiscali.co.uk
Tel: +249(0)129074675

WELCOME TO USSP

This blog is under construction but please keep visiting for regular updates. You may email us at: usspmail @ gmail.com.

Thank you.

-- USSP Secretariat.