By Kei Emmanuel Duku
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged citizens to embrace unity as tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for liberation of the country.
The president, on Friday 16th May, delivered a key message to the nation, commemorating 42nd anniversary of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA/M).
“Today, we are called upon to protect that legacy by working together to maintain peace, heal divisions, and advance development,” Kiir emphasized in his message.
The 16th of May, 1983, marked a pivotal moment when the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), under the leadership of Dr. John Garang, took up arms against injustice, oppression, and marginalization.
“Let this day remind us that despite our differences, we are bound together by a shared history and a common destiny. May the spirit of the 16th of May live on in our hearts and actions,” the President stated in his address to the nation.
President Kiir reminded citizens that the anniversary is more than a historical reflection; it is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and vision of those South Sudanese who perished in the struggle for the country’s independence.
“As we reflect on this historic milestone, let us pay special tribute to our late founding members, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, William Nyuon Bany, and all who stood with them during the most challenging and defining moments of our liberation journey,” President Kiir emphasized.
He recalled that the SPLM-SPLA was not merely a military movement, it embodied a vision for justice, equality, and self-determination.
Kiir further called upon South Sudanese to uphold the values of the SPLM-SPLA and dedicate themselves to building a peaceful, stable, and united nation.
The president acknowledged the current challenges facing the country but stressed that significant progress has been made in achieving peace through the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
He added that as the country celebrates the 42nd anniversary of the movement’s formation in 1983, the government remains focused on restoring hope and laying a strong foundation for a better future.
“We must also confront the responsibilities of the present. The struggle that began in 1955 and resumed in 1983 was for freedom, but also for unity, peace, and prosperity,” Kiir stressed.
At formation of SPLM/SPLA in 1983, key figures including late Maj. Kerubino Kuanyin Bol, then commanding Battalion 105, and late Maj. William Nyuon Bany, who commanded Battalion 104, Col. Dr. John Garang De Mabior, who defected from the Sudanese army, later became a central leader.
Other notable members of the movement included the current President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, who held the rank of Captain at the time, and Samuel Abu John Khabas.