By Gabriel Akoi, Noah Anyuat and Butrus Ajak

Amnesty for an individual or group (s) of individuals have often been utilised all over the world, at different times in history, as an essential aspect of conflict resolution. The recent world conflicts that saw the application of Amnesty in ending differences are the Cambodian War, in which Khmer Rouge guerrillas, were responsible for the lost of almost 2 million lives. In 1994, they were offered an amnesty and a peaceful agreement was achieved. Amnesty had also been used in South Africa during the 1990s as part of truth and reconciliation by African National Congress (ANC) after the end of apartheid. In this article, we critically analysed facts and give suggestions as to why President Salva Kiir may extend the Amnesty to all prisoners in South Sudan, you will comprehend as the facts unfold.

Coming to the history of our arm struggle, since the inception of the SPLM/A, there were many occasions in which Amnesty was offered to group of militias who committed various atrocities to innocent civilian in Southern Sudan. Some of which are as follows:
Firstly, Nassir Faction, also known as, South Sudan independent Movement (SSIM) led by Riek Machar, (the current vice president of south Sudan) and his team were granted an amnesty by SPLM/A top leadership, and allowed to rejoin the mainstream movement, and reinstated to their previous ranks. They were allowed to join SPLM/A despite the atrocities they have committed in Bor, 1991.

Secondly, other major militia groups which were also granted an amnesty during Juba-Declaration to join SPLM/A, includes:
Boyya militia group (also known as Taposa militia), formed in Equatoria as a means of defence against SPLM/A;

Didinga militia group was formed in Equatoria as means of defence against SPLM/A;
Mobile Forces Group of Nuer and some from Equatoria, (this group were part of the SSDF) was formed at Juba Conference in April 2001 against SPLM/A;
Mundari militia groups, which was also part of SSDF, signed a formal agreement with GOS, led by clement Wani, who is now a current governor of Central Equatoria, was also fighting against SPLM/A.

The Self-Defense Organization (militia group), a major component of SSDF, was formed to critically Defense Juba against SPLM/A.

Finally, in 2010 President Kiir also issued another amnesty to Sudan Armed Forces Major General Gabriel Tanginye, Athor Deng Dut, Gatluak Gai and David Yauyau.

Major General Tanginya, as we all know, caused military confrontations with the SPLA in 2006 and 2008, which left over three hundred innocent people dead in the Upper Nile state’s capital of Malakal. General Athor, Colonel Gatlwak Gai and David Yauyau, who also rebelled and clashed with the SPLA in protest of the outcomes of the gubernatorial elections in Jonglei and Unity states, respectively. These groups took arms against the government of Southern Sudan and their rebellions results in butchery of innocent civilians particularly, women and children.
 
We may ask, if the government of South Sudan could issue an Amnesty to the aforementioned perpetrators who caused gross damages to the innocent people of South Sudan, why not to prisoners, who at some point, committed crimes that are probably lesser than what the above group committed? Besides, are there crimes against humanity that are so brutal, so cruel that they cannot be forgiven?

The prisoners, who still languish in dungeons, on scales of crimes committed, for instance, individual murder, theft, adultery and many more, we could argue that they are responsible for lesser crimes. Whereas the above mentioned groups were responsible for mass killing, torture, mutilation, murder, rape, abduction and almost endless list of unspeakable horrors that you can imagine.

The SPLM/A movement used an amnesty as a tool to encourage insurgents to give up violence and instead participate in the democratic process, thus utilising peaceful means to address their grievances. However, prisoners also have a right to be released so that they can take part in democratic process of a new nation in waiting.

In conclusion, SPLM/A has reached a turning point in the history of Sudan and in particular, Southern Sudan. Coming this far was a long and a bitter journey, marred by desertion, back-stabbing and collaboration with the worst enemy of southerners.

During the war, our people faced numerous difficulties which prompted them perpetrated whatever crimes they are charged with; therefore, all other cataclysmic crimes committed, were as a result of War and given South Sudan inevitable separation. We urge the leadership of Salva Kiir Mayardit to extend an amnesty to all prisoners across ten states of southern Sudan before the 9th of July, 2011, so we can all start a new Country with new crimes dossier.

 Below are our emails if any question, feel free to contact us. 
1.   Butrus Ajak (ajakbutrusajak@yahoo.com.au)
 
2.   Noah Anyuat (any.achkur@gmail.com)
 
3.   Gabriel Akoi. (timabuongbor@live.com)