To Citizens of Jongulei State

Date: December 21, 2005

To: Citizens of Jongulei State

Subject: Where and How do we start building Bor & Jongulei State?

Dear Citizens of Jongulei,

I am sure that all of us are asking the same question above, while some among us may have found answers and have started working already. The question above is more directed to citizens of Bor and then to the rest of the Jongulei citizens simply because they are the majority and can play a greater role if they can find the answer (s) to the Question above.

Bor community has many citizens in the Diaspora who are in position to rescue and develop Jongulei State in the current time. However, there are few problems that may be hindering their work, I am also certain that they can find the way to let those old issues go and start working for the development of our state of Jongulei starting with one community at a time. First, we need to let go of old mistakes and wrongs done to each other, misunderstandings, conflicts of all kinds, because they are only useful in holding us back from peace and development of our communities.

Back in the days of our fathers and their fathers, the typical quarrels or disputes were usually about one of following: – A graze land and water for livestock (loh nom, or toch in Dinka language), dating or marriage competitions, mocking comments during wrestling, and few other issues. In the case of those in cities (Madina, or rok, geeu, aciekic in Dinka), the issues of disputes were more in grades, mocking comments to those with lower grades and failures, and girls during parties and marriage competitions.

Political disputes were not of a greater impact since we didn’t have much politics arena to fight over; it was during the Abel Alier time that some members of Bor community felt left out and unsatisfied with Abel’s government (Akuma de Abel Alier). But, those issues were minor and could be discuss, debate and settled. During SPLM/A time, many issues that were being underestimated became real and were used by some individuals to get even with those they couldn’t reach during their school time and during akuma de Abel Alier. Though many lives were being lost due to those old disputes and misunderstandings, I still belief that those issues can be settled and let go if the avenging parties are still unsatisfied.

I am not aware of a real conflict where people of Bor really line up with spears and kill each other like in Bhar el Gazal in those days , with exception of (Kongor vs. Adhiok, and Angakuei vs. Pathuyith). Those conflicts were settled, and there is currently peace and harmonies among those mentioned clans in our community. Many people were wrongfully killed during the SPLM/A war, but I am sure that those who have died would want to see Bor and Jongulei State build, they would forgive and let go for the sake of development and peace in our state. What about you and me? Won’t it be better if we forgive and reconcile for the sake of our community and our state?

Your fathers or mothers, uncles or aunts, brothers & sisters, cousins, and leaders who have died during the war would be remembered best if development is fulfill. Coming generation will learn about them if peace, reconciliation, and development take place, otherwise they will be forgotten as we will be busy protecting our own lives that there will be no time to write a history about them. I have lost many people that I care about, my uncle Martin Majier Gai Ayuel, Geu Atherkuei, Deng Geu Atherkuei, Erjok (Akuom) Magon Akuom), Mach Guguei Garang, Mach Kual Aguto, Alier Aguto Ayool, Mayom Gurech Anyang, Makuach Akuei Mach, Erjok Geu Deng, Ajak (Thakat) Maketh, Deng Lual (Monyanyar) Nyuon, Anyang (roor) Wel, and Dr. John Garang as my leader, and the list goes on.

This list is just from my family and is not complete, and I am sure that each of us can fill this computer with names of the loved ones who have died during the war. Some died wrongfully, and some died from the hands of the enemy. But the point is that death is death either way, I on their behalf would like to see something positive done in Bor and in Jongulei, I loved them each in his own way. I knew them by names and faces, I am hurt inside but I am not angry at any one, because it was God’s will that they lived and died for their country. It is my duty to make sure that what they died for doesn’t disappear, in that way they will live in me and in my community. What about you? Won’t you want to see your loved ones in the history book one day? I am sure you would say yes, if you say yes, then let us seek answers and solutions and let us start developing our beloved State of Jongulei.

Here is how and where I want to start in developing Bor and Jongulei:-

Establish Jongulei State Development Bank: Benefits will be loans to small businesses, jobs opportunities for our people, interest as a return for the investment, income to the community through jobs and businesses, taxes to the state for law enforcement and construction. Foreign investors can also be attracted if we have banking system in our city, we can use that bank after sometimes to get larger loan from the central government and qualify since we will be serving the community. I belief that it can be done if we all pool our money together in a form of investment, we can find the way to protect our investment either through GOSS/GONU or through international community since we are technically are int’l citizens in a way. We can reserve foreign portfolios and bring our business under those terms and still serve our people. The good news is that it will be your money, your business, your retirement safety net whether you go back or stay abroad. I asked from Vietnamese, S. Koreans, Jews, Norwegians, Chinese and etc, it did worked for them, it can work for us if we do those two first and do the rest later.

Establish Bor Technical College: Investing in our people is highly logic and is within our reach, if you look back into American History; you will find that banking and short courses colleges saved America in the 18th century right after the Great Depression and in 19th century right after I & II World Wars. I hope that you share same thoughts and dreams as this year ends, Dr. John Garang left us a legacy of great vision and a sense of fulfillment. Let us follow through his footsteps and we shall overcome. Thanks and may God Almighty bless you with good health, wealth, wisdom and courage this Christmas.

Sincerely,

Daniel Leek Geu