Position Paper of SSSAK on the IGAD-Led High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF)
Position paper of the South Sudanese Students’ Association in Kenya (SSSAK) on the IGAD-Led High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
March 26, 2018 (SSB) — In the recent wake, following the suspension of peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), be regional body responsible for conflict mitigation, management and resolution proposed more inclusive consultative fora among the South Sudanese communities. In particular, the civil society groups namely, the church, intellectual think tanks, women bloc to mention but a few.
This is a very noble suggestion the IGAD and its partners have made so far in their tireless effort to bring about a durable peace in our young, nation. We applaud this move and give it our full support. It is our collective belief that for any meaningful peace to happen, having an inclusive, transparent and wide consultation is of significance.
The object of this paper however, is to explain our position as a vibrant students’ community in one of the most strategic places in our country’s history. It was here that the birth of our Great Nation was mediated and subsequently agreed upon through the unified will of our population 13 years ago.
Kenya thus, remains a critical location in our collective memory. In recent years, the students’ community in Kenya had been portrayed as anti-government, that we are hostile to the regime in Juba. The then perception had over years tarnished our position and in the process, compromised the good intentions we have for the country.
In recent memory, the civil society forum that was held in Kampala, Uganda, the African Young Leaders Forum leadership training held at the same location have confirmed these unfortunate allegations that we are a partisan body.
On a lighter note, we want to inform the public that African Young Leaders Forum seminar that was held in Kampala, Uganda last week did not have anything to do with the ongoing peace consultations. It was a completely different initiative that was conducted to train upcoming South Sudanese young leaders. We want to also make it clear that the individuals who attended the seminar did so without our approval. In short, they participated in their own respective capacities.
In that regards however, we want to register our profound disappointment with some South Sudanese civil societies in Kenya who took it upon themselves to nominate some of our members to take part in the recent consultative fora without prior notice to our office.
As much as we support and approve of an open society of a strong, independent civil society, we find it very disturbing for certain individuals to conduct nomination of duly registered students in our office without our informed consent. In the soonest future, we will take legal actions against any individual engaging in such matters.
We want to make it absolutely clear that we are not anti-government neither are we anti oppositions. We do not, contrary to the public thinking advocate for any regime change or whatsoever; we are only against the negative activities that are going on in the country. Our position has been very clear since day one. We want a prosperous progress for the country. The change we advocate for is developmental and it should be noted that a change does not necessarily means a regime change. We have always stood collectively for a positive change.
Our country requires fundamental reforms. We need a paradigm shift in the way things are moving. As a student body, we do not subscribe to any political making. Our urge is that we fix the mess together. We believe this is a collective concern. The amount of suffering we have had in the past five years is enough.
In conclusion, we want to emphasize that the students’ community in Kenya does not take any side in the ongoing conflict in the country. We are not an anti-government group or a pro-opposition association.
Our position is that the country needs some changes. We also appeal to all the civil societies here and beyond to remain adamant and relentless in their call for fundamental reforms in the country. However, we will not entertain some civil societies that are using our students to advance a certain political interest or individual objective. Our students are suffering from the full brunt of this conflict and they need honest brokers so that a durable peace is achieved.
Finally, we appeal to the government of South Sudan and the opposition political forces in and outside the country to be accommodative enough to positive criticisms and listen to the calls of vulnerable citizens.
Ayuel Taupiny Malek, President of SSSAK
Gatluak Sambul Chan, Secretary General of SSSAK
Kuir Mayen Kuir, Secretary of information and publicity
Nancy Ayite, Secretary for student affairs
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