RESPONSE TO SUZANNE JAMBO

By Hearty Ritti, Washington DC, USA

The statement issued by Suzanne Jambo of the SPLM today shows the panic gripping the government in Juba in relation to their ill-advised decision to stop Dr Lam Akol and the delegation of the political parties from travelling to Addis Ababa on the 13^th instant.

She is writing from Addis Ababa where she went yesterday as part of the government’s second delegation masquerading as ‘political parties’. They were rejected by IGAD on the grounds that they were not selected under the auspices of IGAD and hence cannot be accepted.

They spent the tax-payers’ money to go to Addis Ababa when they were in receipt of IGAD’s response to their letter requesting changing the current delegation of the political parties.

The following facts are a rebuttal to Suzanne Jambo’s lies and disinformation.

1. If the government did not stop Dr Lam Akol and his delegation at Juba airport from travelling to Addis Ababa, then who did? Can other political parties she claims to have removed Dr Lam Akol from the Chairmanship of the PPLF stop him from travel?
2. Dr Lam Akol was elected Chairman of the PPLF in February this year when the PPLF adopted its Conduct of Business Regulations. These regulations were approved by the parties that are members of the PPLF. The SPLM and the SSDF of Dr Martin Elia were not attending the meetings. In fact, Dr Martin Elia who claimed to have removed Dr Lam Akol from the Chairmanship of the PPLF did not attend a single meeting of the PPLF.
3. Which are the 19 parties Suzanne is referring to? It is these 19 parties that in Addis Ababa on the 8^th of June that chose the current delegation of seven members under the auspices of IGAD. What happened later is that when the political parties presented to IGAD a position paper that was not to the liking of the SPLM, the latter instigated the parties in the government that were members of the PPLF to pull out. They did so and chose a new delegation of seven exclusively from parties in the government including SPLM that is represented in the delegation by Suzanne Jumbo. The same parties nominated another member of their own to join the government delegation. Let Suzanne deny these facts so that we publish the names and other details.
4. It is commonsense that a government is made up of the political parties that are represented in or supporting it. If that be the case, what do you call a delegation made up entirely from parties in the government? If the plot of the SPLM and its allies was to go, then the government would be represented by two delegations: one official and another in the name of the political parties. To think that this transparent lie can pass, the government underrated the intelligence of our people and that of IGAD.
5. Neither Dr lam Akol nor the SPLM-DC need to apply to IGAD for admission because Dr Lam Akol and the delegation of the political parties he has the honour of leading were indeed invited by IGAD Secretariat and would have been in Addis Ababa on the 13^th if the government did not stop them at the airport. What is Suzanne talking about?
6. The SPLM’s continuous reference to the ‘level of education’- first by the Presidential Press Officer a few days ago and now by Suzanne Jambo – for no good reason, is indicative of an inferiority complex. Education is essential for the progress of any nation and should be encouraged and promoted. However, it should not be misused as a means of blackmail to prevent educated people from voicing legitimate concerns. If the SPLM was “committed to bringing an end to this senseless war and bloodshed and restore law and order to our People” why is its government preventing an accredited delegation from taking part in the search for peace? Actions speak louder than words!
7. Minister Michael Makuei denied on the 16^th instant that the government did stop Dr Lam Akol from travelling to Addis Ababa claiming that the reason for his failure to travel was that he is holding a diplomatic passport and did not clear the required procedures with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This explanation was an obvious lie because Dr Lam Akol is currently holding an ordinary passport which he used several times to travel to Addis Ababa for talks including the last round in August. The details of this passport are with the Immigration Department in the Ministry of Interior. Again, Suzanne Jambo is denying government’s action.
8. If the government is sincere in its denial, the way out is simple. The government should just inform members of the delegation that they are free to travel.

Hearty Ritti

SPLM-DC USA Office

20 September 2014

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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