Pacify the north to honour Garang
ON Monday August 1, 2005, Africa and the world at large woke up to one of the darkest moments in history; Lt. Gen. Dr. John Garang de Mabior, (RIP) First Vice President of Sudan, was confirmed to have been killed in a helicopter crash near the border with Uganda.
Betty Akech
ON Monday August 1, 2005, Africa and the world at large woke up to one of the darkest moments in history; Lt. Gen. Dr. John Garang de Mabior, (RIP) First Vice President of Sudan, was confirmed to have been killed in a helicopter crash near the border with Uganda.
The late Dr. John Garang had been on a private visit to Uganda from July 29 to 30, 2005.
Three weeks to his death, Dr. Garang had been sworn in as Sudanese First Vice President in a government of National Unity after a long negotiated comprehensive peace agreement. He was at the helm of the war as Chairman of the SPLM/A and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA. Until his death, he was seen as the glue that held together not only the various ethnic groups in Southern Sudan, but also that strengthened the chances of implementing the peace agreement successfully.
It is therefore understandable that people raised concerns about the future of the peace processes in northern Uganda and Southern Sudan after the departure of Dr. Garang.
One re-assuring fact, however, is the way the SPLM/A leadership swiftly moved to fill their leadership vacuum by appointing Commander Salva Kiir Mayardit as the First Vice President of Sudan and President of Southern Sudan. This was consolidated by President Bashir’s statement, “We are confident that the Peace Agreement will proceed as it was planned and drawn up and the future of Sudan will remain a trust in our hearts and the hearts of the brothers in the (SPLM) movement.â€
Commander Salva Kiir is quoted as having told Reuters, “We want to assure every one that the leadership and all cadres of SPLA/M will remain united and strive to faithfully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.â€
Going by the trend of events so far, there is every hope for peace holding in Sudan and cascading into northern Uganda.
While in Uganda, Dr. Garang had consultations with President Museveni. The need for improved security, close cultural ties, and trade between the people of Uganda and Sudan was of course discussed and reaffirmed.
Earlier in the year, President Museveni brought Dr. Garang to Gulu, where he addressed thousands of cheering people who had come to welcome the two leaders, and set their eyes on the man who had become a household name.
They also wanted to hear from Dr. Garang what plans he had in helping our government end the misery they have been subjected to by the brutality of Kony.
Dr. Garang made it categorically clear that the peace he had brought to Southern Sudan could not be meaningful unless it spread into northern Uganda. He would help the government of Uganda pacify Northern Uganda. No wonder, therefore that the people of Uganda and the north in particular have been devastated by his death. Some people in the north have been heard saying that they are orphans, and perhaps destined to doom!
I would like to re-assure Ugandans and the people of the North that the candle for peace is burning brightly and will not be easily blown out by the death of Dr. Garang. At worst, the process of peace may be slightly delayed, but not destroyed.
Commander Salva Kiir at the funeral of Dr. Garang in Juba committed himself to carry on Dr. John Garang's vision and to work with the government of Uganda to rout out the LRA from their hide outs in Southern Sudan.
As mentioned in one of my articles, the change of attitude of the people has given the UPDF strong moral support. Partly because of this and other factors, many Kony atrocities have greatly been scaled down and scores of his fighters killed, surrendered or captured. Many of our abducted children and people have been rescued. Kony is cocooned in Southern Sudan and is unable to sustain any serious attacks on our troops and people.
Our people recently demonstrated and re-emphasised in a three day workshop of Acholi leaders organised by our Paramount Chief at Paraa Safari Lodge the need to work together and with government, for peace. The workshop came out with the Paraa declaration that assures all of us of peace. I will quote some of the important areas of the Paraa Declaration.
We the leadership of the Acholi people resolved to;
Strongly and in no uncertain terms condemn the vicious acts of violence and indiscriminate killings by the LRA, in Acholi and the neighbouring districts.
Appreciate the efforts of government, UPDF, the initiatives of Mrs. Betty Bigombe, the Acholi Religious leaders’ Peace Initiative and other initiative to bring the conflict to an end.
Recommit ourselves without any exception, to cooperate with and support the efforts of the government and other stakeholders in all their endeavours towards ending the conflict.
Call upon government and commit ourselves as leaders to strengthen the capacity, status and welfare of auxiliary forces to facilitate the speedy return of the people of Acholi to their homes.
Strongly urge the media houses to encourage reporting that facilities peace and does not undermine the peace process.
Commit ourselves to participate in national anti-local politics without compromising the interests and rights of our people.
Commit ourselves to be mindful of public/political statements that may be misleading to government and the LRA and likely to entrench mistrust.
Be united irrespective of our political or religious affiliations, and call upon ourselves as leaders to; by word, by act and by conduct give true meaning to our long-time cherished motto of Ribbe Aye Teko (Unity is strength).
Other resolutions are all designed to strengthen the people’s resolve to attain total peace in Acholiland in particular and Northern Uganda in general.
I convey my condolences to the President of Uganda, the family of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the people of Uganda, Southern Sudan and the entire Sudan, upon the death of one of the greatest sons of Africa.
My condolences also to the families of our committed and gallant sons and daughters of Uganda. To Northern Uganda, let our resolve to pacify the North be more strengthened. This is the only way to honour Dr. John Garang.
The writer is the minister in charge of security
ON Monday August 1, 2005, Africa and the world at large woke up to one of the darkest moments in history; Lt. Gen. Dr. John Garang de Mabior, (RIP) First Vice President of Sudan, was confirmed to have been killed in a helicopter crash near the border with Uganda.
The late Dr. John Garang had been on a private visit to Uganda from July 29 to 30, 2005.
Three weeks to his death, Dr. Garang had been sworn in as Sudanese First Vice President in a government of National Unity after a long negotiated comprehensive peace agreement. He was at the helm of the war as Chairman of the SPLM/A and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA. Until his death, he was seen as the glue that held together not only the various ethnic groups in Southern Sudan, but also that strengthened the chances of implementing the peace agreement successfully.
It is therefore understandable that people raised concerns about the future of the peace processes in northern Uganda and Southern Sudan after the departure of Dr. Garang.
One re-assuring fact, however, is the way the SPLM/A leadership swiftly moved to fill their leadership vacuum by appointing Commander Salva Kiir Mayardit as the First Vice President of Sudan and President of Southern Sudan. This was consolidated by President Bashir’s statement, “We are confident that the Peace Agreement will proceed as it was planned and drawn up and the future of Sudan will remain a trust in our hearts and the hearts of the brothers in the (SPLM) movement.â€
Commander Salva Kiir is quoted as having told Reuters, “We want to assure every one that the leadership and all cadres of SPLA/M will remain united and strive to faithfully implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.â€
Going by the trend of events so far, there is every hope for peace holding in Sudan and cascading into northern Uganda.
While in Uganda, Dr. Garang had consultations with President Museveni. The need for improved security, close cultural ties, and trade between the people of Uganda and Sudan was of course discussed and reaffirmed.
Earlier in the year, President Museveni brought Dr. Garang to Gulu, where he addressed thousands of cheering people who had come to welcome the two leaders, and set their eyes on the man who had become a household name.
They also wanted to hear from Dr. Garang what plans he had in helping our government end the misery they have been subjected to by the brutality of Kony.
Dr. Garang made it categorically clear that the peace he had brought to Southern Sudan could not be meaningful unless it spread into northern Uganda. He would help the government of Uganda pacify Northern Uganda. No wonder, therefore that the people of Uganda and the north in particular have been devastated by his death. Some people in the north have been heard saying that they are orphans, and perhaps destined to doom!
I would like to re-assure Ugandans and the people of the North that the candle for peace is burning brightly and will not be easily blown out by the death of Dr. Garang. At worst, the process of peace may be slightly delayed, but not destroyed.
Commander Salva Kiir at the funeral of Dr. Garang in Juba committed himself to carry on Dr. John Garang's vision and to work with the government of Uganda to rout out the LRA from their hide outs in Southern Sudan.
As mentioned in one of my articles, the change of attitude of the people has given the UPDF strong moral support. Partly because of this and other factors, many Kony atrocities have greatly been scaled down and scores of his fighters killed, surrendered or captured. Many of our abducted children and people have been rescued. Kony is cocooned in Southern Sudan and is unable to sustain any serious attacks on our troops and people.
Our people recently demonstrated and re-emphasised in a three day workshop of Acholi leaders organised by our Paramount Chief at Paraa Safari Lodge the need to work together and with government, for peace. The workshop came out with the Paraa declaration that assures all of us of peace. I will quote some of the important areas of the Paraa Declaration.
We the leadership of the Acholi people resolved to;
I convey my condolences to the President of Uganda, the family of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the people of Uganda, Southern Sudan and the entire Sudan, upon the death of one of the greatest sons of Africa.
My condolences also to the families of our committed and gallant sons and daughters of Uganda. To Northern Uganda, let our resolve to pacify the North be more strengthened. This is the only way to honour Dr. John Garang.
The writer is the minister in charge of security