November 22, 2011 (SSNA) — Honorable members of United Nations, European Union, African Union and other International bodies: We, the citizens of the Republic of South Sudan for your urgent support in stopping the recent violence and the military build up on our border.
The UN accused Sudan of bombing a refugee camp in South
Sudan’s Unity state, raising fears among analysts of a return to war,
for the first time since a the 2005 peace deal. The refugees living there had fled across the border to Sudan and sought refugee in the Republic of South Sudan.
There is proof that the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Al Bashier is arming mercenary groups in our country. In the last weeks they, together with members of the Sudanese Armed Forces, have attacked and killed civilians and armed forces of The Republic of South Sudan.
Across the border in Sudan, our brothers and sisters are being attacked by Sudanese Armed Forces and their allied militias in the Nuba mountains, the state of Blue Nile, Abyei and the Darfur region.
This violence must end now!
We, the civilians of South Sudan, are very worried of the recent violence, which pose a threat to the stability of our nation; born in July 2011 as a new nation we face numerous challenges. We seek peace to prosper both for us and our neighbors in north. But fear that with the leadership of Al Bashir in Sudan our country will again witness disorder and slaughter of innocent lives.
Many refugees from the regions of Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile, and Abyei and in Darfur have fled across the border and sought refuge in Republic of South Sudan. Under international law concurrent to Article 1 of the Refugee Convention as amended by the 1967 Protocol in a summary defines a refugee as:
Someone who seeks refuge in a foreign country because of war and violence, or out of fear of persecution”
The United States of America added by defining persecution as someone who is persecuted "on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group" as grounds for seeking asylum/refuge”.
These people are refugees who are persecuted by President Omer Al Bashier for demanding their democratic rights.
Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse confirmed that Refugee Camps, in South Sudan where his organization tried to help 23, 000 refugees who fled the atrocities perpetuated by Khartoum government were bombed. He not only worries about the security of the refugees but the workers who went there to aid these victims of Al Bashier’s proxy war against the Republic of South Sudan. Already the British based aid organization Oxfam have left the region in fear of the safety of their personnel.
We want to remind you all that throughout the six years interim period and prior to our independence, President Al Bashier had the agenda to lock the people of Southern Sudan into war to prevent our autonomy. Thanks to the wisdom of President Salva Kiir for choosing peace instead war.
Withstanding all odds, the Republic of South Sudan honored the United Nations’ invitation to join the agency on July 30th 2011. Since then the Republic of South Sudan committed to join the pool of nations who seek to make the world a better place. We see this as an ultimate gesture that we stand tall, shoulder to shoulder with other nations to return in kind the many favors and protection we received during the two decades of war with Khartoum government as we sought refuge all over the world.
Our country, the Republic of South Sudan began reaching out when it barely began post war construction. The country is constantly faced with border dispute (Abyei conflict), Khartoum’s proxy war against it through South Sudan rebel uprising groups, famine, and other internal and external demands. All these obstacles affect development pausing heavy economy challenges and hinder development in general.
1. We, the citizens of the Republic of south Sudan call United Nations and its affiliates and Associate agencies to hold President Al Bashier accountable for every life lost or the wounded during this operation
2. That Sudan ceases his aggression against the people of Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile but seeks diplomatic means to end their political differences
3. That Al Bashier be made to understand that The Republic of South Sudan is a sovereign state, and in an event he provokes the leadership of the government of South Sudan, he violates international law that governs sovereignty state
4.That the United Nations Security Council urgently calls for its member states to convene and access the ruthless ongoing situation against the population of South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Abyei and Darfur. That the agency approves humanitarian aid immediately to help rescue lives of those fleeing from both land and aerial attacks by Khartoum government
5. That the international community apprehend individuals who perpetuated the ongoing killings in these regions, and subject them for criminal investigation through international Criminal court
We are deeply concerned by the ongoing unrest in these regions including the rebel activities in South Sudan which are sponsored by Khartoum government. We thank you for supporting our cause and we look forward for your wiser decisions in stopping President Al Bashier’s agenda of mass killing on the population in these for regions.
Sign by South Sudan Citizens in Diaspora: