What the other armed groups waiting for?

If you ask any of the leaders of the militia groups who have so far rejected to be integrated into either the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), or Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), they will tell you that they are fighting for liberation, freedom, democracy, to up root corruption etc. etc. in Southern Sudan. But close study will reveal that this is not the real issue. The real issue is power struggle.

We are in a peaceful time whereby we can not fight social ills, such as corruption, through the barrel of the gun. We have the CPA. We have our constitution. We have the assemblies. We have law enforcement institution. These institutions are created to fight corruption, develop the practice of democracy, enforce the rule of law and guarantee respect for human rights If any of the institutions is not doing well for the people, it is your duty to point out the mistake.

There is now free media in Southern Sudan. But one cannot make corrections by remaining in the bushes holding a gun and threatening people. The war is no longer the war of the gun. It now remains the war of the mind. We fight to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, disease and other lamenatvle human conditions. This needs a concerted effort from all the Southern Sudanese.

If we are really concerned about our people, this is the time to work to alleviate the suffering that our people have experienced for almost half a century. The deputy commander-in-chief of the SPLA, Paulino Matip, stated correctly that the main concern of the Southern Sudanese, at this time, is unity. Without unity we can accomplish nothing to the people of Southern Sudan. He says the government will continue to hold dialogue with the other armed groups who have rejected to be be integrated into either side.

What should be made clear to these armed groups is that the CPA is fully accepted by the Southern Sudanese as the only document that can guarantee peace and freedom in Southern Sudan. So, any body who claims to be fighting for peace and freedom for the Southern Sudanese, yet does not recognize the CPA, is not a true leader of the Southern Sudanese.

Instead, it makes the Southern Sudanese suspicious that such groups may be used by the enemies of the Southern Sudanese people. Such people do not want to see peace in the South because through war they amass fortunes. We need unity. It is time for reconciliation and forgiveness.

The past mistakes should be forgiven and forgotten for the sake of unity. Remember, only God does not commit sin. All human beings do commit sin. This is the biblical principle, so if anyone knows that he or she does commit sin and needs forgiveness, he or she should also forgive those who seek forgiveness from him or her. May God unite the Southern Sudanese? Amen.