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By SRS
Posted to the web on June 17, 2009 |
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June 17, 2009 (JUBA) — The President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir, has said that south Sudan will not return to war again, except in self defense.
Kiir was speaking during the opening session of the 2009 southern Sudan Legislative Assembly in Juba:
[Salva Kiir]: “As the President of the Government of southern Sudan, I will not be the one to take this country back to war, but if war was to be imposed on us, we can all feel assured that we are capable of defending ourselves.”
President Kiir also vowed to undertake forceful disarmament all over southern Sudan, without listening to human rights groups:
[Salva Kiir]: “The Minister of Internal Affairs and senior officers from the general headquarters of the SPLA are in Rumbek and the people who have gone to Rumbek have full orders to disarm everybody by force. I do not mind whatever the so-called human rights people will say. Anybody who resists it will have to be fought.”
Addressing the issue of corruption, the president said that no one was above the law:
[Salva Kiir]: “We will not tolerate anyone who abuses his position in government to undermine the rule of law. Honorable members, I would like to reiterate that no one, including myself, as the president of this government, is above the law.”
In this session the assembly is expected to examine a number of laws, including an Education Bill and a Police Bill.
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