Political Leaders Criticize SPLM Call for Secular State for United Sudan

(SMC)
Prominent political leaders have strongly criticized SPLM for its call for the implementation of a secular regime in the country as a precondition for achieving unity. The criticism came in response to what has emerged from the SPLM's politburo meeting in Juba last week.
In statements to smc, those political leaders considered SPLM bid falls outside objective dialogue taking place now for the preparation of the Southern Sudan referendum requirements. "The bid lacks in constitutional and legal support since arguments about this matter have been finalized in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement”.
Mawlana Ali Yahiah, the former speaker of the Council of States has called on both parties to respect their agreement that provides for the respect of the freedoms of faith and religion under which people in the North and people in the South shall live together in case of unity or secession without going back to war.
On his part, Mr. Abu Bakr Abdel Razik, a Popular Congress Party leading figure downplayed the capability SPLM to link secularism to the option of unity or secession, since these two options are political and are left to the people of Southern Sudan to decide upon.
"The Sharia question is not a call for real separation but rather it is a demand that is connected to political consideration of SPLM", he said.
In the same context, Mr. Ibrahim Abou Khalil, spokesperson for the Liberation Party disclosed that SPLM's bid comes in line with Western agenda to make Sudan a secular state.

GoSS warns of humanitarian crisis after referendum
(Mirayafm)
South Sudan Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, James Kok Ruei, has warned of humanitarian crisis whatever the outcome of the Referendum. Kok urged aid agencies and United Nations to prepare for a massive return of a large number of southerners.
He pointed that, in case of independence, there is a need to prepare to support around 1.5 million southerners in the north who might return to the south


South Darfur Plans to Construct Two IDPs Camps
(SUNA)
South Darfur government directed the Engineering Department in the State to start the preliminary survey in Bilail area and the southern areas of Nyala selected to be the alternative IDPs camp instead of Kalma camp.
South Darfur Deputy Governor, Dr. Abdul Karim told (smc) that Kalma IDPs camp will be transferred to the new site in agreement with UNAMID, UN, NGOs and the IDPS themselves.
He said that Kalma IDPs camp became one of the security threats, expressing their intension to construct two big camps with 25 – 30 thousands IDPS capacity provided with all basic services adding the area of each residence will be 150 – 200 square meters.
He pointed out that the machineries of the work were directed to the new sites to start implementation, adding that all the NGOs working in the humanitarian activities in the State visited the new sites and expressed satisfaction with.
He said that the government shouldered all the construction expenses, affirming the IDPs movement to the new sites will not start unless the construction work is completed.
It is to be noted that Kalma IDPs camp witnessed in the recent days violations from armed groups which brought arms to the camp a matter that agitated chaos inside the camp

Joseph Lagu appointed Presidential Advisor to Salva Kiir
(Mirayafm)
The first southern person to assume vice presidency post in Sudan after signing of Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972, Joseph Lagu, has welcomed his appointment as Presidential Advisor in the Government of South Sudan and announced readiness to serve the citizens of the south.
President of South Sudan Government, Salva Kiir Mayardit, Wednesday appointed five presidential advisors including Joseph Lagu


7 children abducted and over 3,000 cattle raided by Lake state gang
(ST)
Criminal gangs from the neighboring Lake State are suspected to have raided nine villages taking 3150 cows and abducting seven children on Thursday from Unity state, according to a southern official.
The raid began at 4pm in Pulmok - Pachar Payam in Payinjiar County - and left a cattle owner seriously wounded according to the county commisioner Col. Peter Gai Joak.
Jaok told Sudan Tribune that the incident occurred after the southern Sudanese army - former rebels who now govern the autonomous region after a 2005 peace deal - the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) mounted an operation to disarm civilians.
“It is deemed that the criminal gangs took an advantage [of] unarmed civilians in conduct[ing] the raid,” he said.
The commissioner appealed for calm as the government began to investigate the raid and how to return the stolen cattle.
He also requested that humanitarian organizations provide emergency assistance to the affected communities. He said that food, shelter and other non-food items were needed.
Unity state authorities released a statement asking the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the Lakes state authorities to double their efforts to bring cattle raiding and kidnapping in the region to an end.
Payinjiar commissioner, Jaok, has ordered all police forces and other relevant authorities in the county to provide protect unarmed civilians and their property.

SPLM Unforeseen Dilemma over Unity and Secession
(Opinion)
SPLM which is leading south Sudan is entering into what we can call as a unique dilemma, despite all the ongoing political moves in the country about the post-referendum arrangements.
Isn't it strange that the SPLM did not, up to this moment, declare its trend being in support of unity or secession?
Such strange stance forced its partner, the NCP, and through the GoNU spokesman, Dr. Kamal Obeid to call on the movement to declare and explain its stance frankly.
Even before that the so-called Juba national alliance asked the SPLM the same question after it was felt that the movement is underestimating the issue and playing with a position that doesn't endure such games.
However, it is unacceptable from the SPLM to feel that it is above questioning and that nobody has the right to ask.
The mature politician is that who pinpoints his political stance on any issue and is ready to present the tools to defend his stance, but those who escape and try to maneuver or cover their stance with black sheet and obscurity will loose all their partners or allies and even the enemies.
It is true that some SPLM leaders' stances and statements give the indication that they are in favour of secession, but when they were besieged they quickly take off the secession cap and speak unity talk calling for new Sudan in secular bases.
The question that poses itself is that where were those leaders during the past six years in promoting their new Sudan based in secular system?
If the SPLM leaders call for new Sudan were serious they could have managed to promote their vision as they had the whole chance from the bottom level to the top power in the palace where the SPLM Chairman is the First Vice President.
The SPLM was and is still part of the governing regime and had the full chance to implement its manifesto during the past five years, but it is obvious that the movement failed to find any foothold in this vast country.
The SPLM did achieve nothing in the north as well as in the south and due to that failure its stance became vague and reluctant.
Let us assume that the referendum results come in favour of maintaining the unity of the country then what will be the status of the SPLM?