Articles and Analysies
SPLM Contradiction by Omar Al Bushra
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Aug 27, 2008 - 9:10:42 AM

SPLM Contradiction

Few weeks ago SPLM declared the SPLM Chairman Salva Kiir Mayardit will run for the Sudan�s Presidential post in the forthcoming elections. Then news infiltrated here and there speaking about the SPLM hinting at withdrawing of Kiir�s candidacy from the Presidential election.

The sources alluded to Dr. Luka Biong in his Washington statement saying that the SPLM political bureau did not decide yet if Kiir would be the candidate for the SPLM or not. This unexpected statement came a month after the same SPLM political bureau announced after its meeting in Juba that Kiir would run for president in the upcoming elections.
We all know that the SPLM has officially decided to contest the elections on all levels including the President�s position.

Again yesterday, some Khartoum dailies quoted the SPLM Secretary-General Pagan Amum as dismissing reports saying that First Vice-President and SPLM Chairman, Salva Kiir Mayardit, would not run for Sudan�s presidential post. In the contrary, he will he said. Amum�s statement came from Washington where he is leading an SPLM delegation on a visit to USA and Dr. Luka Biong who made the statement about considering Kiir�s participation in election is a member of that delegation. Amum said that the First Vice President, President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Lt Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit is the sole SPLM candidate for the presidency election.
This denial before Amum�s statement confirming Kiir�s participation comes after statements by some SPLM officials saying that the Political Bureau of the party didn�t yet make a decision about who would be the SPLM candidate for the presidency in 2009 election.

Yet, the second convention of the SPLM held last May in Juba adopted a resolution that the party leader, Salva Kiir Mayardit should contend for the presidency of the republic next year.

Where do these contradicting and confusing statements from SPLM leaderships take the Sudanese public which has the right to know the presidential candidates? Moreover statements and counter statements give indication that there are differences within the movement over the issue.
What is equally puzzling is the existence of absolute silence in the office of the First Vice President and Chairman of the SPLM about this confusing situation. The office does not moment whether he is running for the Presidential post or not?

* Whom do we believe the political bureau or the Secretary General of the SPLM over the issue?

* First Vice President is therefore required to clarify his position to put the (i)s  over the dots and close this case.