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Revision as of 02:41, 12 December 2013 by 182.72.28.198 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| South Sudan Liberation Movement | |
|---|---|
  SSLM logo & flag | |
| Leaders | Peter Gadet |
| Dates of operation | 1999–2013 |
| Active regions | Upper Nile, South Sudan |
| Ideology | Southern Sudanese Separatism |
The South Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SSLM/A) is an armed group that operates in the Upper Nile Region of South Sudan. The group's creation was announced in November 1999 by people of the Nuer ethnicity who were in both the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the government-allied South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF) gathered in Waat. The SSLM was declared to be unaligned in the Second Sudanese Civil War, then entering its sixteenth year. The name "South Sudan Liberation Movement" was decided upon the next year,Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page). Between November 1999 and January 2000, the group was known as the Upper Nile Provisional Military Command Council (UMCC).
Political stance
The SSLM claimed that it followed "two avenues to assert the rights of the people of South Sudan to freedom and self-determination". The group stated that it was in favor of negotiation with the government of Sudan until an acceptable peace-accord is signed and the government stops its raids in southern Sudan, but the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 9 January 2005, was seen by the SSLM as promising nothing new differing from past treaties only in its observance by the international community.
2011 resurgence
On 11 April 2011, when the SSLM/A published a document that it called the Mayom Declaration, calling for a more inclusive government in South Sudan. Violence began with an assault SPLA in Unity State, leaving at least 45 people dead. According to the military, 20 of the victims were southern army soldiers. SSLA's spokesperson has said that the movement has declared a ceasefire with the government.
2013 amnesty
On 26 April 2013 the South Sudanese government announced that it had granted an amnesty to SSLA fighters and that 3,000 men, comprising the entire force, had taken up the offer, crossed the border from Sudan and brought around 100 vehicles with them (including 37 technicals armed with machine guns and AA guns). President Salva Kiir pardoned all SSLA members who had surrendered their weapons to security forces. The former SSLA members are to be integrated into the South Sudanese army. Two other militia groups also took up the amnesty offer. An SSLA spokesperson said "Our forces have joined the peace process with the South Sudan army" and that "because South Sudan needs development, peace and forgiveness, we have decided to end rebellion in South Sudan". The surrender took place in Mayom County, Unity State and were led by the SSLA's commander, Brigadier General Bapiny Monytuel. SSLA commanders will meet President Kiir in Juba within a week to formalise the surrender arrangements.
References
- Cite error: The named reference
SSLMpresswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - "South Sudan clashes between army and militia kill 57". News. UK: The BBC. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- "Dozens killed in South Sudan clash". Al jazeera. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- "South Sudan's SSLA Unity State rebels' ceasefire". News. UK: The BBC. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
- ^ Holland, Hereward (26 April 2013). "Thousands of South Sudanese rebels surrender after thaw with Sudan". Reuters. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ "South Sudan rebels: SSLA 'surrenders'". BBC News. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- Taban, Bonifacio (26 April 2013). "South Sudan Rebels Surrender in Amnesty Deal". Voice of America. Retrieved 27 April 2013.