Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT [[South Sudan People's Defence Forces]] |
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{{infobox military unit |
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|unit_name=Sudan People's Liberation Army |
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|image=[[File:Flag of South Sudan.svg|200px]] |
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{{R to related topic}} |
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|caption=SPLA flag |
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|dates= 1983-''present'' |
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|country= Sudan (1983–2011), South Sudan (2011–present) |
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|size= 140,000 (2010) |
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<!-- Commanders --> |
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|commander1=[[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] |
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|commander1_label=Commander-in-Chief |
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The '''Sudan People's Liberation Army''' (abbreviated '''SPLA''') is the army of the [[Republic of South Sudan]]. The SPLA was founded as a guerrilla movement in 1983 and was a key protagonist of the [[Second Sudanese Civil War]]. Throughout the war, it was led by [[John Garang de Mabior]]. |
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Following John Garang's death, [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] was named the new Commander-in-Chief of SPLA.<ref name="sm"/> |
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As of 2010, SPLA was estimated to have 140,000 fighters. The SPLA is divided into divisions of 10,000-14,000 soldiers.<ref name="sm"/> Following the independence of South Sudan in 2011 the SPLA became the regular army of the new republic. |
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==Foundation== |
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In 1983 a number of mutinies broke out in the barracks of the Sudanese army in the southern regions, most notably in Bor. These mutineers would form the nucleus of SPLA.<ref>Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA16 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 16</ref> By June 1983 the majority of mutineers had moved to Ethiopia, or were on their way towards [[Gambela, Ethiopia|Gambella]]. The Ethiopian government decided to support the nascent SPLA was a means of revenging the Sudanese government support to Eritrean rebels.<ref name="f252"/> |
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==Political profile== |
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SPLA was led by Commander-in-Chief [[John Garang de Mabior]].<ref name="r0">Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. xiv</ref><ref name="f210"/> SPLA struggled for a united and secular Sudanese state.<ref name="r90"/> Garang stated that the struggle of the South Sudanese was the same as that of marginalized groups in the north, such as the Nuba and Fur peoples.<ref name="a20">Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA18 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. pp. 18-19</ref> Until 1985, SPLA directed its public denouncements of the Sudanese government specifically at Nimeiri. During the years that followed, SPLA propaganda denounced the Khartoum government as a family affair that played on sectarian tensions.<ref name="a20"/> SPLA denounced the introduction of sharia law in September 1983.<ref name="a23">Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA23 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 23</ref> |
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==War in the 1980s== |
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[[File:Generals of South Sudan.jpg|thumb|High-ranking SPLA officers at the South Sudan independence celebrations, 2011]] |
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In the village of Bilpam, the first full-fledged SPLA battalion graduated in 1984. The name 'Bilpam' would carry a great symbolic importance for SPLA for years to come, as the epicentre of the uprising. After Bilpam, other SPLA training camps were established at Dimma, Bonga and Panyido.<ref name="f252"/> |
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In the mid-1980s the SPLA armed struggle had blocked the development projects of the Sudanese government, such as the Jonglei Canal and the Bentiu Oil Fields.<ref>Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA65 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 65</ref> |
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SPLA launched its first advance in Equatoria in 1985-1986. During this campaign, SPLA were confronted by a number of pro-government militias. The conduct of SPLA forces was chaotic, with many atrocities against the civilian population. The SPLA drove out around 35,000 Ugandan refugees (that had settled in Equatoria since the early 1980s) back into Uganda.<ref name="a153"/> |
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SPLA had a complicated relationship with Anyanya II. Anyanya II forces blocked the expansion of SPLA between 1984 and 1987, as Anyanya II attacked SPLA recruits heading towards the SPLA based in Ethiopia. Anyanya II also attacked civilians believed to be SPLA supporters.<ref name="r1">Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 1</ref> The conflict between Anyanya II and SPLA had a political dimension, as Anyanya II sought to build an independent South Sudanese state.<ref name="r27">Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA27 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 27</ref> SPLA did however try to win over the leaders of Anyanya II to their fold.<ref name="r21"/> The Anyanya II commander Kong Coul aligned with SPLA in late 1987. Other sectors of Anyanya II would follow his example over the coming years, rendering the remainder of Anyanya II (allied with the Sudanese government) marginalized.<ref name="r21">Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA21 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. pp. 21, 23</ref><ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA101 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 101</ref> |
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Another force which confronted SPLA were the ''Murahaleen'' militias in northern [[Bahr el-Ghazal]]. Warfare between SPLA and ''Muraleheen'' began in 1987. By 1988 SPLA controlled most of the northern Bahr el-Ghazal.<ref name="a153">Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA153 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. pp. 153-155</ref> Unlike the Anyanya II, however, the ''Murahaleen'' had no political ambitions.<ref name="r27"/> |
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==Political openings== |
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SPLA/M boycotted the 1986 elections. In 38 constituencies no voting due to war.<ref name="a22">Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA22 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 22</ref> |
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SPLA boycotted the 1986 elections. In half of the constituencies of southern Sudan elections could not be held due to the SPLA boycott.<ref name="a20"/> In September 1989, the RCC invited different sectors to a 'National Dialogue Conference'. The SPLA refused to attend.<ref>Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA25 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 25</ref> |
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On November 15, 1988 SPLA entered into an alliance with the DUP. The two parties had agreed on the lifting of the state of emergency and abolition of sharia law. The press release was made public through an announcement on Radio SPLA. After DUP rejoined the government, a ceasefire with SPLA was achieved.<ref name="a20"/><ref>Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA53 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 53</ref> After the elections, negotiations between SPLA and Sadiq al-Mahdi had been started. But the talks were aborted as SPLA shot down a civilian airplane. 60 people were killed in the attack.<ref name="a20"/> |
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With the NIF coup d'état in 1989, all peace talks ended.<ref>Guarak, Mawut Achiecque Mach. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ggRAkGJvAucC&pg=PA128 Integration and Fragmentation of the Sudan: An African Renaissance]''. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011. p. 128</ref> SPLA launched a major offensive between 1989 and the fall of the Etiopian [[Derg]] government in 1991. It captured various towns, such as [[Bor, South Sudan|Bor]], [[Waat]], [[Yambio]], [[Kaya, South Sudan|Kaya]], [[Kajo-Kaji]], [[Nimule]], [[Kapoeta]], [[Torit]], [[Akobo, South Sudan|Akobo]] and [[Nasir]]. By the middle of 1991, SPLA controlled most parts of southern Sudan with the exception of the major garrison towns ([[Juba]], [[Yei, South Sudan|Yei]], [[Malakal]] and [[Wau, South Sudan|Wau]])<ref name="r21"/> Between January 21 and January 29, 1990 SPLA shelled Juba town. SPLA forces also moved into the [[Nuba Mountains]] and the southern parts of the [[Blue Nile State]]. In comparison with its 1985-1986 offensive in Equatoria, the conduct of SPLA was now more orderly.<ref name="a153"/> |
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==1991: Setback and split== |
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But the downfall of the Derg government in Ethiopia in May 1991 was caused a major set-back. The Ethiopian government had provided the SPLA with military supplies, training facilities and safe-haven for bases during 18 years. Soon after the change of government in Ethiopia, SPLA accompanied hundreds of thousands of refugees back into Sudan.<ref name="r21"/> |
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A split in SPLA had simmered since late 1990, as [[Lam Akol]] and [[Riek Machar]] began to question Garang's leadership.<ref name="r25"/> Lam Akol began contacting secretly SPLA officers to join his side, especially amongst the Nuer and Shilluk.<ref name="f208"/> The situation deteriorated after the fall of the Derg.<ref name="r25">Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA25 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 25</ref> As the Derg regime crumbled, Lam Akol published a document titled ''Why Garang Must Go Now''.<ref name="f208">Guarak, Mawut Achiecque Mach. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ggRAkGJvAucC&pg=PA208 Integration and Fragmentation of the Sudan: An African Renaissance]''. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011. p. 208</ref> The split made public on August 28, 1991. The dissidents called for democratization of SPLA and a stop to human rights abuses. Moreover, the dissidents called for an independent South Sudan (in contrast to the SPLA line of creating a united and secular Sudan). Kong Coul joined the rebellion. The 'SPLA-Nasir' was joined by the SPLA forces in [[Ayod]], [[Waat]], [[Adok]], [[Abwong]], [[Ler]] and [[Akobo, South Sudan|Akobo]].<ref name="r90">Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA90 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 90</ref> A period of chaos reigned inside SPLA, as it was not clear which units sided with Garang and which units sided with SPLA-Nasir.<ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA91 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 91</ref> |
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Garang issued a statement through the SPLA radio communications system, denouncing the coup. Nine out of eleven (excluding himself) SPLA/M PMHC members sided with Garang.<ref name="f210">Guarak, Mawut Achiecque Mach. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ggRAkGJvAucC&pg=PA210 Integration and Fragmentation of the Sudan: An African Renaissance]''. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011. p. 210</ref> The mainstream SPLA led by John Garang was based in [[Torit]].<ref name="r0"/> The two SPLA factions fought each other, including attacks on civilians in the home turf of their opponents.<ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA3 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 3</ref> |
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==Battles of 1992== |
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As of 1992 the Sudanese government launched a major offensive against SPLA, which was weakened by the split with SPLA-Nasir. SPLA lost control of Torit (where SPLA was headquartered), Bor, [[Yirol]], [[Pibor]], [[Pochalla]] and Kapoeta.<ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA35 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 35</ref><ref name=DeRouen4>{{cite book|title=Civil wars of the world: major conflicts since World War II|author=Karl R. DeRouen and Uk Heo|volume=1|page=748|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]}}</ref> |
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SPLA made two attacks on Juba in June–July 1992. SPLA nearly captured the town. After the attacks, the Sudanese government forces committed harsh reprisals against the civilian population. Summary executions of suspected SPLA collaborators were carried out.<ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA56 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. pp. 56-58</ref> On September 27, 1992 the deputy commander-in-chief of SPLA, William Nyuon, defected and took a section of fighters with him.<ref name="f220">Guarak, Mawut Achiecque Mach. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ggRAkGJvAucC&pg=PA220 Integration and Fragmentation of the Sudan: An African Renaissance]''. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011. p. 220</ref> SPLA re-captured Bor on November 29, 1991.<ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA99 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 99</ref> |
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==Later phase of the war== |
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[[File:Sudan Envoy - Malakal JIU.jpg|thumb|SPLA officer as part of Joint Integrated Unit during the CPA era]]As of the mid-1990s, the majority of the population of Southern Sudan lived in areas under the control of either the mainstream SPLA or SPLA-Nasir.<ref>Rone, Jemera. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=NkeXxtzFSHAC&pg=PA12 Civilian Devastation: Abuses by All Parties in the War in Southern Sudan]''. New York: Human Rights Watch, 1994. p. 12</ref> |
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SPLA insisted that they fought for the liberation of all Sudanese people.<ref name="a57">Africa Watch Committee. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=1K_5IOdPQ-sC&pg=PA57 Denying the Honor of Living: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster : an Africa Watch Report]''. New York, N.Y.: Africa Watch Committee, 1990. p. 57</ref> The SPLA battalion in the Nuba Mountains (the New Cush Battalion) had many Muslims in its ranks, including its leader Yusuf Kowa.<ref name="a57"/> --> |
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In 2004, a year before the peace deal, the Coalition to Stop Child Soldiers, estimated that there were between 2,500 and 5,000 children serving in the SPLA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sudantribune.com/SPLA-to-demobilize-all-child,36125 |title=SPLA to demobilize all child soldiers by end of the year - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan |publisher=Sudan Tribune |date= |accessdate=2012-06-20}}</ref> |
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==Reorganization== |
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[[File:Salva Kiir-3, by Stein Ove Korneliussen.jpg|thumb|200px|Salva Kiir Mayardit, Commander-in-Chief of SPLA]]Following the signing of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Peoples_Alliance|CPA], a transformation process of SPLA began. This process was actively supported through funding from the [[United States]]. In 2005 John Garang restructured the top leadership of SPLA, with a Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak, and four Deputy Chiefs of General Staff; Maj. Gen. Salva Mathok Gengdit (Administration), Maj. Gen. Bior Ajang Aswad (Operations), Maj. Gen. James Hoth Mai (Logistics) and Maj. Gen. Obuto Mamur Mete (Political and Moral Orientation).<ref name="sm"/> |
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==Ministry of Defence== |
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In 2007 the SPLA was further organised into a Ministry of Defence. Gen. [[Dominic Dim Deng]] an SPLA veteran and distinguished General, was chosen to become the first Minister for SPLA Affairs subsequently the first political officer of the SPLA. Gen. Dim died in a plane crash in 2008 alongside his wife Madam [[Josephine Apieu Jenaro Aken]] and other SPLA officers. He is buried alongside his wife at the SPLA headquarters in Bilpham, Juba.<ref name="sm">Small Arms Survey. ''[http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/pdfs/HSBA-SWP-23-SPLA-Transformation-2006-10-and-Beyond.pdf In Need of Review: SPLA Transformation in 2006–10 and Beyond]''</ref> |
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The Government of Southern Sudan named the SPLA headquarters outside Juba 'Bilpam'.<ref name="f252">Guarak, Mawut Achiecque Mach. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=ggRAkGJvAucC&pg=PA252 Integration and Fragmentation of the Sudan: An African Renaissance]''. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011. pp. 252-253</ref> |
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==References== |
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<references/> |
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[[Category:Guerrilla organizations]] |
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[[Category:Rebel groups in Sudan]] |
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[[Category:Second Sudanese Civil War]] |
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[[be:Народная армія вызвалення Судана]] |
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[[ca:Moviment d'Alliberament del Poble Sudanès]] |
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[[cs:Súdánská lidově osvobozenecká armáda]] |
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[[da:Det Sudanske Folks Befrielses Hær]] |
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[[de:Sudanesische Volksbefreiungsarmee]] |
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[[es:Ejército de Liberación del Pueblo de Sudán]] |
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[[eo:Liberiga Armeo de la Sudana Popolo]] |
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[[eu:Sudango Herriaren Askapenerako Mugimendua]] |
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[[fr:Armée populaire de libération du Soudan]] |
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[[it:Esercito Popolare di Liberazione del Sudan]] |
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[[ja:スーダン人民解放軍]] |
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[[no:Det sudanske folks frigjøringsbevegelse]] |
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[[pl:Ludowa Armia Wyzwolenia Sudanu]] |
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[[pt:Exército Popular de Libertação do Sudão]] |
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[[ru:Народная армия освобождения Судана]] |
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[[simple:Sudanese People's Liberation Army]] |
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[[sr:Народни покрет за ослобођење Судана]] |
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[[sv:Sudanesiska folkets befrielsearmé]] |
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[[tr:Sudan Halk Kurtuluş Ordusu]] |
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[[uk:Народна армія визволення Судану]] |
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[[zh:苏丹人民解放军]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:48, 20 June 2020
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