Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM.A) is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as the political wing of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA; a key belligerent of the Second Sudanese Civil War) in 1983.
On January 9, 2005 the SPLA, SPLM and Government of Sudan signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ending the civil war. SPLM then obtained representation in the Government of Sudan, and was the main constituent of the Government of the then semi-autonomous Southern Sudan.
When South Sudan became a sovereign state on 9 July 2011. South Sudan was first recognized as an independent nation on July 9, 2011, making it the 54th country in Africa and the 193rd country to join the United Nations.
As we mark 4o years of SPLM/A,
I am pleased to address you today on this historical day; the fortieth anniversary of the formation of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) on this day, forty years ago, the gallant forces of battalion 105 under the command of Major Kerubino Kuanyin Bol fired the first bullet in the Bor. That bullet signaled the second phase of the Sudanese Civil war. I am to the SPLA as the second phase because, the battle in Bor was not an isolated incident but was a continuation of our people long struggle for freedom. I must also add that the SPLA/M struggle is significant, because it succeeded where our previous movement failed.
On this historical day, I call upon you to remember the sacrifices we have made in our painful journey to statehood. It is in the (sacrifices) that, we as a country find the meaning of our existence. It is because of this that we are duty bound to recall our people sacrifices. it is also in the same sacrifices that we derive our determination to continue working to realize the ideals we fought for, despite numerous challenges we are facing as people today.
Fellow citizens, Sudanese People’s Liberation Army in its character were and are still a people’s army. This character was reflected in its composition. To those who understand our history, they know that just 21 days after the Bor incident, Major William Nyuon Bany who commanded the Ayod garrison, defeated Sudanese army in that town and withdrew from there to the bush. This move was followed by other soldiers who left their garrisons and headed to Ethiopia where they formed the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) with the objective of waging a protracted armed struggle.
The formation of the SPLM/A and its call for armed struggle was answered by thousands of peasants, students, Civil Servants who flocked to Ethiopia to join the movement. These common people who formed the bulk of the SPLA fighting force followed their orders and executed their duty resolutely until we attained our independence. Today, we stand tall because of their sacrifices.
In recognition of their sacrifices, let us salute allthe SPLA formations from battalion 105 and 104, Jamus, Tiger and Timsa, Koryom, MourMour, Kazuk, Zal Zal, Intifadha, Intisar and all other units and formations who answered this national call.