The final statement of the SPLM-N National Leadership Council’s meeting Nuba Nountains – South Kordofan

The SPLM-N:

Re-affirms its adherence to the vision of the New Sudan and the mission of building a national liberation movement throughout Sudan;

Extends cessation of hostilities until 30th June 2017;

Calls upon President Mbeki and the AU High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) to carry out consultations in the liberated areas;

Decides not to accept the resignation of the Deputy Chairperson of the SPLM-N, and to form a committee to meet him;

Revokes the decisions made by the (appointed) regional Liberation Council of Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan;

Appoints a temporary joint committee to administer the two regions for a renewable period of 6 moths;

Open a new military front in Darfur;

Humanitarianism before politics: the Movement is ready to promptly discuss the humanitarian situation and to meet the new U.S. Administration in this connection;

Forms a delegation chaired by the SPLM-N Chairperson to carry out discussions in Addis Ababa with the AUHIP and the chairpersons of the Sudan Call parties;

Decides to form the SPLM-N National Liberation Council;

Affirms upholding the SPLM-N’s current political and negotiating position;

Decides to consolidate current alliances with Sudan Call Forces and the Revolutionary Front and other opposition forces pursuing change;

Decides to hold the National Convention;

Decides to form a committee to collect resources needed to hold the National Convention, and to make a proposal of the manifesto and new amendments to the Constitution;

To hold workshops aimed at discussing issues relating to security arrangements, self-governance, self-determination, and the relationship between religion and the state. They are to be prepared by the movement institutions in order to be made ready for the National Convention to make final decisions on them;

The shortest route to maintain the unity of Sudan is the removal of the regime.

The SPLM-N National Leadership Council held a series of continuous meetings with the SPLM-N’s various civil and military organs in Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan region since 25th March which were ended by the SPLM-N National Leadership Council meeting at the Martyr Yousif Kowa Maki’s Hall on 2nd and 3rd April 2017. Members of the council stood up for a minute of silence in memory of the souls of the martyrs Yousif Kowa Maki, on his 16th anniversary, Neuron Phillip, and Ahmed Kathrada, the last giant of those who led the struggle against the apartheid regime, who passed away on 28th March 2017 in South Africa and who had personal relationships with many SPLM leaders. In addition to the members of the National Leadership Council, the meeting was attended by Deputy Governors and General Secretaries of the two regions.

The second establishment of the SPLM revolution and the internal and external hostilities directed against SPLM with the aim of abandoning the vision of the new Sudan:

Since its second establishment on 10th April 2011, the SPLM-N and its leadership have been facing a fierce campaign led by its historical and new opponents inside Sudan, and huge pressures from foreign forces aimed at forcing SPLM-N to abandon the vision of the new Sudan, and to confine itself to the two areas separately. These forces have launched organized systematic campaigns against SPLM-N leaders targeting those most active; particularly comrade Abdelaziz Adam Al-Hilu. This has involved various forms of propaganda and fabrication on a daily basis. However, SPLM-N has resisted and expanded becoming a major political force in the Sudanese politics. SPLM-N has never abandoned the vision of the New Sudan and the regime has failed, after two wars, in militarily and politically uprooting her.  SPLM-N has long experienced climbing on moving sands nationally, regionally and international. It has existed to survive and win victory, and its adherence to the vision of the New Sudan is prime factor of the struggle that made her under fires coming from numerous sources. We invite national and democratic forces to stand in solidarity with SPLM-N.

Re-affirming adherence to the vision of the New Sudan and the mission of building a national liberation movement throughout Sudan

SPLM-N has re-affirmed its adherence to the vision of the New Sudan and the mission of building a national liberation movement throughout Sudan.

Current political situation

Following a lengthy discussion of the various aspects of the political situation, including economic and military situation and the continuous impoverishment of the vast majority of people of Sudan, the National Leadership Council has decided the following:

To form and dispatch delegations to explain the political and organizational situation to the people in the liberated areas, secret underground operating groups, and SPLM-S members abroad;

To extend cessation of hostilities, which came to an end last month, until 30th June 2017;

After receiving its report, the National Leadership council directed the Committee of peaceful co-existence in the two areas to effectively perform its duties;

To dispatch a delegation abroad to visit those who are concerned in the region and all countries of concerns in relation to the Sudan crisis;

The SPLM-N Chairperson and the members of the National Leadership Council members are to contact the political forces and the civil society to brief them on the internal situation of the SPLM-N. The SPLM-N members everywhere are directed to do the same;

To direct SPLM-N members to contribute in a campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of finding a solution to the humanitarian situation and delivering humanitarian assistance to the people in need, and the fight for improving standards of living, and ending human rights violations, and campaigns calling for putting an end to the war, and supporting those struggling for specific causes in dams areas whose lands were confiscated, and the fight of students, women and youth, the meeting has praised in this regard the uprising of the youth of Taloody against construction of a cyanide factory and Nubian people in Northern Sudan;

Demand the AUHIP and President Thabo Mbeki to visit the liberated areas to consult with the war victims on the ground and to listen to the SPLM-N institutions, SPLA-N and the civil society and to deal, on an equal footing, with stakeholders, as he has often been doing during his visits to Khartoum. The SPLM-N Chairperson sent a letter to President Mbeki, in this regard;

The National Leadership council has formed a committee comprising the Chairperson, Secretary General, Deputy of the SPLA-N Chief of Staff Major General Izzat Koko, the administration and Deputy Governor of Nuba Mountain/South Kordofan Mr Suliman Gabona and Mr Tigani Tima Secretary General of SPLM-N in the region.

The resignation of the SPLM-N Deputy Chairperson and its internal and external effects

The SPLM-N Deputy Chairperson handed in his resignation three times during the last two years. The last ones were on 13th july 2016 and 7th March 2017; the latest one was based on different reasons. The Chairperson repeatedly called for an expanded meeting in the liberated areas to discuss these important issues, over the last two years. The meeting did not convene because of the comrade Deputy Chairperson apology that he would not attend. Then his last resignation was leaked to the press by some members of the Nuba Mountain/ South Kordofan Liberation Council, and it consequently came into the public domain. The regime’s apparatuses deliberately launched an intensive campaign of daily fabrications aimed at spreading instability and division among SPLM-N ranks and targeting the unity of the SPLA. However, the movement leadership, especially in the army, has successfully confronted and defeated the regime’s lies. Comrade Abdelaziz Al-Hilu is one of SPLM-N important leaders. Following a lengthy discussion of his resignation, the National Leadership Council decided:

To reject the resignation of the SPLM-N Deputy Chairperson Comrade Abdelaziz Adam Al-Hilu;

To form a committee to meet him;

The National Leadership Council directed the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Secretary General to hold a joint meeting in order for the three of them to attend the Council’s next meeting on 10th June 2017.

The formation of a temporary joint committee to administer the two regions for a renewable period of 6 moths

Because of the current critical situation and that it is crucial to ensure maintaining the unity of all the movement institutions, a committee was formed chaired by the  SPLA-N Chief of Staff in the Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan, and by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in the Blue Nile. The committee also comprises the following institutions: Governors of the two regions or their deputies, SPLM-N Secretaries General or their Deputies, Chairpersons of the Liberation Councils or their Deputies, delegations of the security apparatuses in the liberated areas.  The committee is authorised to decide on national and critical issues inside SPLM-N and to make recommendations to the National Leadership Council. It also decides on issues relating to security and political situations in the two areas. The committee will continue for a renewable period of six months.

Decisions made by the (appointed) Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan Liberation Council

The SPLM-N National Leadership Council decided the following:

The Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan Liberation Council is an appointed council: it was appointed the movement leadership. It has discussed national issues that it is not entitled to discuss and don not fall within its jurisdiction and powers, and it has done that even before approving its internal regulations. At best, the Council can make recommendations and observations to the national organs of the Movement, after approving its regulations and discuss issues of the region starting with its contribution to confront the National Congress Party’s aggression. The Council has inflicted severe damage on the Movement, its internal unity, and its political reputation, and it will take a long time to redress this damage. The Council operates together with governor of the region and it submits its decision to the governor, which has not happened. The creation of a parallel leadership body does not fall within its legal or constitutional powers. The Council has not discussed the statements of the Chairperson of the SPLM-N and the governor of the region with regard to the issues relating to the region. The council is not entitled to discuss or decide on the resignation of the Deputy Chairperson. It is the National Leadership Council that has the power to do so. There is a small group of the Council members who hijacked its decision; some of them are not members of the Council. There are documents and conclusive evidence to prove that this group worked in the dark and they drafted the resolutions on behalf of the Council, a long time before its meetings convene. This conducts should be investigated and those responsible should be held accountable. The Council attempted to cancel the authorities of the bodies of the movement that had appointed it and to undermine the powers of the national institutions. From a report submitted to the leadership by the governor of the region, SPLM-N secretary general in the region, and the military command in the region it appeared that these institutions were marginalised, completely ignored and their views were not taken into account. This has posed a threat to unity and integrity of SPLM-N and SPLA-N. The National Leadership Council has praised these institutions which effectively contributed to maintaining the unity of SPLM-N. The leadership of the SPLM-N and its general secretariat in the region should elect a new liberation council, mandated by the people in the region, following due procedures. The SPLM-N National Leadership Council decided to cancel all the decisions made by the regional council concerning national issues and institutions, and that these decisions should be considered as void and as having no legal or political effect.  The Liberation Council which was appointed by the SPLM-N leadership is a body that operates under the SPLM-N and the leadership of the region, according to the Constitution.

The National Leadership Council decided to form the National Liberation Council which will discuss issues of interest to the SPLM-N at national levels.

The temporary leadership committee of the region has to solve the problem caused by Nuba Mountains/South Kordofan Liberation Council which adversely affected its work in its first session. That should be done before the Council’s next session, under the supervision of the SPLM-N and the Government of the region. The Council’s should be stopped from acting beyond its powers.

The posting of the SPLM-N internal affairs on the press and social media has exposed the Movement to political, organizational, military, and security risks which represents an obvious mistake and a violation of its legal and institutional framework.

Issues relating to self-determination, the two armies, etc. should be dully discussed within the Movement institutions and conventions in order to reach agreements and shared vision regarding these issues. In the meantime the Movement’s vision and policies should remain unchanged.

The opening of a new front in Darfur

The National Leadership Council decided to open a new front in Darfur. It also welcomes those comrades from Darfur who joined the SPLM-N. The Council formed a political committee to deal with this issue so the SPLM-N would be able to assume its responsibility in confronting the regime’s aggression against our people in Darfur, in cooperation with all freedom fighters and other movements operating in the region. The National Leadership Council decided to expand military fronts against the regime particularly in a time where there are hundreds of freedom fighters from Darfur who have served for years in the SPLA-N, and now they are in the war zones.

Humanitarianism before Politics:  the SPLM-N is ready to negotiate the humanitarian access immediately and to meet the new U.S Administration

The National Leadership Council decided:

There would be no change in the SPLM-N’s negotiating position or its negotiating team;

SPLM-N reiterates its previous position that priority should be given to the humanitarian assistance over political issues, and that it is ready to negotiate the humanitarian assistance. It also reiterates that it would not engage in any political talks before ensuring access to the humanitarian assistance for the people in need. In this connection, the SPLM-N calls upon President Mbeki to uphold his position with regard to Asosa border crossing or any other external alternative, particularly after the SPLM-N have recently released war prisoners through foreign border check points. The SPLM-N also expresses its readiness to meet the new U.S. Administration at any time and place to discuss its proposal for resolving the humanitarian crisis. The SPLM-N would only accept a comprehensive solution for the Sudanese crisis that takes into account the peculiarities of the two areas and Darfur and meets the Sudanese demands and aspiration for change. It reiterates its commitment to the vision it shares with its allies in Sudan Call forces and the Revolutionary Front and opposition forces struggling for change.

The consolidation of current alliances with Sudan Call Forces and the Revolutionary Front and other opposition forces pursuing change

The National Leadership Council decided to that the SPLM-N is to affirm its commitment to its alliance with Sudan Call Forces and the Revolutionary Front and other opposition forces pursuing change.

The National Convention

The National Leadership Council decided to call the National Convention to convene. Numerous attempts were made before to hold the National Convention. However, the main obstacles remained the lack of resources, the regime’s military campaigns and the necessity of ensuring that three primary organ of SPLM-N are given the opportunity to take part:  the liberated areas, SPLM-N secret organs operating underground inside Sudan, and the Movement members abroad. There committees have been formed to collect resources and the political committee would be formed as soon as the issue of the Deputy Chairperson resignation is resolved. The date of the National Convention will be announces in the next leadership meeting on 10th June 2017. The committee appointed to prepare the manifesto proposal and to amend the constitution shall make sure that it work is done in due that so as to ensure that these crucially important documents are presented before the National Convention. The committee shall organise workshops to discuss strategic issues including self-determination, self-governance, the two armies, and the relationship between religion and the state  in order to be made ready for the National Convention to make final decisions on them;

The formation of the committee tasked with making proposals for the manifesto and new amendments to the constitution

The committee consists of the SPLM-N Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary General, members of the National Leadership Council General Izzat Koko, and comrades: Koja Toto Anglo, Izdihar Juma’ Saa’id and Gamar Abdulla Abd el-Rahman. The committee has to take into consideration the existing two drafted proposals of the manifesto and other relevant documents. Concerning the constitution, the committee needs to look at the amendments of 2013 interim constitution and it may seek assistance from any SPLM-N expert member.

The shortest route to maintain the unity of Sudan is the removal of the regime.

The genocide and the separation of South Sudan are some of gross violations committed by the current regime, and the fact that the regime continues to stay in power poses a threat to the mere existence of the Sudan and its unity. The Sudanese people, particularly opposition forces, need to overcome their secondary differences and to aim at a real confrontation with regime. The continuation of the commission of genocide and war crime in the marginalised areas make people in these areas less interested passing through these enduring sufferings. Therefore, the shortest route to maintain the unity of Sudan passes through the removal of the regime.

Malik Agar Air

Chairperson of the SPLM-N

and the National Leadership Council

The Martyr Yousif Kowa Maki’s Hall – Nuba Mountains/ South Kordofan

4th April 2017