Condemnation Of Civil Rebellion And Breaches Of The Democratic Processes By Rebels Of South Sudan
Ladies and gentlemen of the press
I welcome you all to this press conference.
As the name suggests, Youth for Democratic Africa is a continental grouping of likeminded young men and women committed to entrenching democracy and democratic tendencies in the African body politic. We envisage and work towards a democratic and united Africa where we are each other�s keeper and where our governments are of the people, by the people and for the people.
Youth for Democratic Africa have invited you here this morning to express our profound displeasure at some goings on in Africa today which do not auger well for our democratic advancement and have dire consequences on especially the youth and women.
The rebellion that broke out in Africa�s newest country, South Sudan on the 15th of December 2013 has left hundreds dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011. It is an oil rich land locked country with a population of about 8 million people.
Since fighting erupted last year, over nine hundred thousand (900,000) people have fled their homes and are now displaced within South Sudan, more than eight thousand (80,000) have sought refuge in UN compounds across the country. In juba for instance, Oxfam estimates that eight percent (80%) of the displaced are women and children. Vulnerable populations continue to flee attacks.
The international Crisis Group reported on 9 January, 2014, less than a month after violence erupted, that up to ten thousand (10,000) were killed. On April 11, UNICEF warned that the South Sudanese conflict has triggered a serious risk of famine that could kill up to fifty thousand (50,000) children.
The country�s former Vice President, Mr. Riek Marchar, was accused of attempting a failed coup d�etat. He however managed to assemble an army of rebel fighters mainly from his ethnic Neur group. Several narratives exist as to what really happened that day the 14 December after an SPLM meeting. Because of our stated neutrality, we would not recount any of the narratives. Our main worry is the rebellion that has now been established. This is an attempt to circumvent the democratic processes and procedure through the use of brute force. The apparent silence of African leaders and African peoples also gives us course to worry.
The inactions and actions of African leaders and indeed the world at large have allowed Mr. Riek Marchar rebellion to grow into a major continental nuisance. Today rebellion and the use of violence as a means to attaining, retaining and transferring power appears to have been legitimized in South Sudan. The rebel leader is being given a hero�s welcome in neighbouring countries and he is demanding certain conditions before he negotiates with the duly elected and constitutional government with which he disagrees.
This is a dangerous precedent being set and Youth for Democratic Africa wishes to unequivocally condemn it. We believe that decisive and bold steps must be taken by eth world leadership to make bold and emphatic statement that the world no longer tolerates the use of violence and guns as a means to attain, retain or transfer political power and that those who try it would not succeed. They would be shunned and isolated by the civilized world, especially where no serious case for this undesirable intervention has been made.
We agree that in certain worse case scenarios, where clear and incontrovertible evidence has been led to suggest that a government has committed crimes against humanity such as genocides and ethnic cleansing, proper military interventions sanctioned by relevant international resolutions may become necessary. In contrast, flimsy excuses as those reportedly being made by Mr. Marchar are not tenable and cannot constitute grounds for internal rebellion.
If care is not taken, the unfortunate situation in South Sudan would consume Africa like wild fire; a group of people, dissatisfied with democratic governance in their country would raise up, gather arms and begin killing innocent civilians only to attract attention and be engaged. This definitely cannot be allowed.
We call on Riek Marchar, the rebel leader of South Sudan to disarm and disband his group of irate fighters and to begin to use prescribed ways of seeking answers and redress. This is important because the democratic elected Government has shown good faith by inviting Riek Marchar for negotiation. We hope that Mr. Marchar ceases this opportunity to engage with the Government in the interest of the people of South Sudan. We abhor the silence of African and world leaders as they watch aloof whiles South Sudan are being destroyed. We remind them that if no immediate and drastic action is taken to return to the status quo, others may derive motivation from the situation in South Sudan and rebellions could spring up everywhere in the whole region.
Because we are committed to entrenching democracy in Africa, we shall use all legitimate means to create awareness and to exert pressure on African and world leaders to say enough is enough. We would write to all embassies and consulates. We would march in solidarity with the good people of South Sudan at the next meeting of ECOWAS heads of state here in Accra. We would extend our advocacy to all sub regional grouping in Africa. We would make a case before the African Union and the United Nations. In short we would use our continental and world connections and goodwill to name and shame those whose actions and inactions across the African continent are detrimental to democratic advancement.
Ladies and gentlemen, the situation in Nigeria involving mass abductions and killings of innocent citizens also undermines democracy and freedom in Africa, YoDA is grateful that some world leaders have begun to respond to the cries of innocent and ordinary African voices. We continue to cry not only to world leaders but also our �brothers� in Boko Haram. If they indeed are African, Nigerian, if they indeed are human beings, we beg them in the name of Allah to release the young ladies in their custody. We humbly ask that all Muslims dedicate the Jum�ah prayers of Friday 23 may to these young and innocent ladies.
In conclusion, we continue to ask for support of all who are interested in a free, democratic and united Africa. African unity is not only manifested in the signing of government to government protocols and agreements. It is an attitude. An attitude of one for all, all for one that we as ordinary citizens must possess. Let us hold hand together in moments of joy and pain. In Brazil in June Ghana, Nigeria, etc would not only be representing their respective countries, they would be representing Africa, even then we should exhibit African oneness and solidarity. We must together feel the pain and frustrations of the governments and people of South Sudan and Nigeria. We know that South Sudan, Nigeria and indeed Africa shall overcome.
God bless you and God Bless Africa.
Thank you for coming.
Signed
PIUS ENAM HADZIDE
COORDINATING SECRETARY
Source: PIUS ENAM HADZIDE
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |