Last week on Friday, we celebrated SPLA Day, which is significant for all South Sudanese.
I want to salute the people of South Sudan and our fallen heroes and heroines who have sacrificed their lives for freedom, justice, equality, and peace. Without their contributions, this day would not have been celebrated in an independent state.
On May 16, 1983, our two battalions, 104 and 105, mutinied in Bor town under the command of the late Karbino Kuanyin Bol and William Nyoun Bany. As a result of this military mutiny, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was established at Headquarters Bilpam under Commander-in-Chief Dr. John Garang, following a standoff between Anyanya groups and Garang’s group, which ultimately led to the expulsion of the Anyanya group, in which Samuel Gai Tut was killed along with many others. This military mutiny against the Sudanese government led to the Second Sudanese Civil War, which ended with the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
May 16 marks the re-organization and preparation for the Sudanese people under the well-structured armed forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). It also signifies the second military mutiny in South Sudan after the Torit Mutiny in 1955, continuing a long struggle with new structures, visions, and strategies; it is not the beginning of the struggle in South Sudan. Therefore, on this occasion of May 16, the entire nation must celebrate this day to remember and honor those who have served with distinction in defense of our country over the decades. We honor them out of a sense of duty to our country by paying tribute as a vote of thanks, signifying that their blood has not been shed in vain.
On this day, we remember the long suffering our people have endured for many decades, honoring our armed forces and their service to the nation, starting from the Anyanya time to the SPLA. This day is significant to commemorate and pay tribute to our people who were murdered in cold blood, either within or outside the country, simply because of their South Sudanese origin, and to respect our late commanders who gave their lives for peace, justice, freedom, and equality. Thus, we celebrate May 16 to strengthen our unity as one people with a common historical background. This day, May 16, reminds all South Sudanese of the killings, torture, injustices, and oppression perpetuated by Sudanese regimes against marginalized Southerners and other Sudanese based on race, color, gender, or geographical location. The day serves as a reminder of the inequality and injustice faced for many decades from successive Sudanese regimes.
Today, May 16 has become meaningless to the people of South Sudan in terms of security. For example, the issues of insecurity in various parts of the country, where innocent lives continue to be lost in Greater Equatoria and across South Sudan, have put people in dire conditions. Many households are on the brink of famine due to the poor system that burdens the people. Additionally, the country continues to suffer from an economic crisis; for instance, the exchange rate for the dollar has reached 560,000 SSP to 100 USD, making it very difficult to understand the current situation in South Sudan. The meaning of separation seems lost on the Sudanese regime.
I appeal to the government to work diligently to address issues of insecurity in the country and stabilize the economic crisis to help foster entrepreneurial growth and avoid the challenges of economic recession.
God Protect South Sudan.
Be the spectator.