Speech of Hon. Deng Deng Hoc Yai, Minister of the Environment, South Sudan

My colleagues, Your Excellencies, the Ministers,
Ambassador Baak Valentino Akol Wol, Charge d’affairs, Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in Washington DC,
Hon. Biel Jock Thich, Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission,
Hon. Dr Makur Matur Koriam, Undersecretary, Ministry of Health,
Your Excellencies, the Ambassadors,
All the other protocols are observed,
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,

I am delighted to meet you and address you today here in New York. I thank you for attending this important meeting. I have a lot to say but

Key Messages

1. I was born during the first civil war. I grow up during the second civil war. And I count myself lucky that I witness the signing of the CPA. I can tell you peace is much better than war. I say so because peace is the catalyst for development, economic growth and prosperity. This is why our President, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, our Vice President James Wani Igga and the entire government are committed to peace. This is why we are negotiating a peaceful solution to the conflict. This is why our President took a bold decision to meet Riek Machar on three occasions and sign the 9th May agreement with him. This is why our President signed The Protocol on Governance Arrangements During the Interim Period recently, which we strongly believe is a firm basis for the peace agreement with the rebels. This is why your government is determined to negotiate peace and end this senseless war, which Riek Machar imposed on the government and the people of South Sudan.

Peace is our only choice. For this reason, we must reaffirm our commitment to peace today. As children of God, let each one of us go out, like the 12 Apostles, filled with the spirit of peace to preach the message of peace to our people throughout the United States of America such that peace prevails in our country.

2. Let us adhere to democratic principles. We all agree that taking power by force, in a democracy, is not acceptable. Ballots, rather than bullets, are the means by which we change guards in a democracy. In accordance with democratic principles and the Constitution and the law, we conducted the General Elections in 2010 and we elected President Salva Kiir Mayardit President of the Government of Southern Sudan. In addition, we elected the MPs of the National Parliament, including our Vice President, and the 10 State legislative assemblies. All these citizens did not take power by force. They were elected by the people. So, let us adhere to the democratic principles of rule of law, accountability, transparency, free and fair elections, etc.

3. I want to give you a test. I want to invite Ambassadors Wani, Gordon Buoy, Thiik, and Aban. Look at them. Can you tell their tribes from their appearances. Look at me. Can you guess my tribe from my appearance? We are one people. We are South Sudanese. I urge you to fight tribalism and sectionalism.Tribalism contributed to the coup and the rebellion. Riek Machar convinced himself and his allies to stage a coup d’état and wage a futile war against Our President, his government and the people of South Sudan because he believed the majority of SPLA hail from Nuer tribe. He was convinced that he can overpower the forces loyal to the government in two hours and take over the government.

Thank God the coup failed. But, we must remember too many citizens of South Sudan were killed by the forces of Riek in the last 9 months. So, tribalism and sectionalism are the enemy within, which is killing our nation. An African proverb says “If there is no enemy within, the enemy without can do you no harm.” Let us not allow tribalism and sectionalism to kill our nation.

4. I want to talk about unity. I urge you to promote unity. And I want to tell you why you should. I believe unity, nationalism, nation-building and national cohesion are prerequisites for peace, coexistence, harmony, development, economic growth and prosperity. Unity was the key to our survival of the liberation war. Unity was the key to achieving our independence and freedom. Unity is the key to addressing our current crisis. Unity will remain the key to our success in the future. We have no option or alternative other than to embrace unity. So, we must continuously promote unity. Each and every one of us must resolve to promote unity.

5. Let us uphold our values of respect, peace, love and sacrifice, tolerance, friendliness, courage, honesty, hard work, perseverance, dignity, humility, unity and faith in and fear of God. These are the values that define who we are. These are the values that enabled us to weather all the storms since the time of Prophet Isaiah, until today. Abandonment of these values can only spell disaster and it has proved to be disastrous. Total disregard to these universal values has contributed significantly to eruption of the coup and the rebellion, too. Let us uphold and promote these values of our ancestors since they served us so well.

6. It is our duty to resist the rebels and protect our Constitution. Article 4, Section (3) of The Transitional Constitution, 2011, says and I quote

“Every citizen shall have the duty to resist any person or group of persons who attempt(s) to overthrow the constitutional government, or suspend or abrogate this Constitution” end of quote.

As law-abiding citizens of this country, it is our duty to resist the rebels and protect our Constitution.

7. Our people have struggled, died and suffered for a period of nearly half a century, and in the end we achieved the dream. We wanted and fought for a free and independent Republic of South Sudan. On 9th July 2011, we got it. Our dream has come true. The dream became a palpable reality on the ground. We have achieved the dream, thanks to our President, Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit, for his patience and wise leadership. Let us protect our people and our country. And let us live the dream!

8. In conclusion, I would like to drive on last key message home. Your country needs you. Your country needs you. Your country Your country needs you not to wage a war against the rebels but to play an active role in our mission of peace. I urge you to do your part. And I promise you I will do my part.

May the Peace and the love of God be with you now and always!

Thank you.