Root cause of the historic border injustice
By Omot Chol Onguero
April 9, 2008 — The historic injustice committed and continues to be committed against the Anyuak peasants along the border of south Sudan and Ethiopia has the root cause. The root cause of these historic injustices through illegal land acquisition and violence perpetrated by the Nuer community have been mostly fuelled by remnants of “Anayna II” and the splinter armed group of the SPLA/ M called SSDF, factional militia backed by Khartoum which is mostly dominated by Murles’ militia brigades, and Ethiopian patriotic front led by former Gambella “Derg” fugitive, Thwath Pal.
It is through their relentless efforts of the mentioned organizations that have sponsored terror against the Anyuak along the border, presently and the past years. These elements backed by the elite and institutions continue committing atrocities at numerous times and it’s time for the new Sudan government and federal Ethiopian government to join hands and disarm them. Indeed atrocities have been committed under the watch of successive regimes on the Ethiopian side but failed to address the historic injustices and consequently gave the culprits the right to continue to live with impunity [including those at the top government official positions]. It failed because it was the Anyuak that were disarmed leaving the Nuer freely. Mean while the Murle militia on the other side have been left free to continue raiding villages and cattle as well.
Remember Thowath pal currently is the head of the Ethiopia patriotic front. However, his mission has always been fighting in the periphery along Jor, Akobo, and Pinykew- Ochom targeting the Anyuak farmers. Thowath pal believes that illegal land acquistion through the barrel of a gun might gain him support from his tribesmen positioning him self for the eventuality. Despite the enormous support he acquires, he has never targeted the Ethiopian defense forces for the cause he supposedly stands. At various occasions Thowath Pal and his counterparts in the SSDF launched many attacks targeting Jor- Anyuak peasants for the last fifteen years with weapons acquired from a certain countries on behalf of the two organizations. Unlike the Openo/ Baro frontier, the Jor Gilo -Akobo frontier has also continued to bear the heavy brunt from the factional militias, brigades led by Murle, Ananya II elements, the SSDF and Ethiopia patriotic front respectively.
It is in this regard that in order to continue peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding across the border, the new south Sudan government needs to implement the disarmament exercise of these groups who will not only create instability for the long run but also will have the negative out look on the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA).
In order to avert the crisis of the historic injustices that have been committed against the Anuak farmers along the borders by these splinter groups whose leaders continue to thrive with impunity, we are urging the south Sudan government to join hands together with the federal government of Ethiopia to disarm illegal gun owners and resettle them back into their respective areas.
Peace now prevails in Southern Sudan. If we don’t live it we won’t enjoy it. It is not the concern of Anyuak community at the local level whether you choose to live for the rest of your live as refugee or not. Our concern is the ongoing killing and illegal land acquisition through the use of illegal guns that will not only jeopardize the long-term relations, but also may escalate into a massive struggle bringing more instability to the fragile borders. That is why it is essential to return home, peacefully, those who roam to avoid what is currently and repetitively done against the Anyuak peasants.
The current initiative by the federal Ethiopian government is much encouraging. The Anyuak community has been aggrieved by the government lack of intervention for the past 30 years that have caused mayhem and unnecessary displacement that could have been thwarted.
Often smokers take great care as to where they put the last cigarette butt. The reason being that the small spark might burn the entire forest if thrown away carelessly. Failure by the governments of the New Sudan and Ethiopia to address the historic injustices will encourage fertile breeding grounds for instability along the border. Let the governments rise to the task and face it.
*Omot Chol Onguero a student in Ethiopia and can be reached at [email protected]
James James
Root cause of the historic border injustice
Mr.
People like me will be glad to hear you narrating this kind of story in the presence of Murle and Nuer whom your complains are pointed to. As educated person in Anyuak community, your primary goal was not to dare very bluntly enough, and decide to put such kind of vague article on this website, instead, I expected you to come and try solve the most outstanding issues facing Anyuak communty. As far as I am concern, one could not even easily identify your nationality as you call both the government of south Sudan and Ethiopia to join forces and disarm those communities that you are talking about. If I could ask you to explain to the people of South Sudan, what name you are going to give to such kind of malgamized forces, which according to you is going to be made up of South Sudan army and Ethiopian forces, because I fail to understand, whether this force going to be termed as UN force or what kind of force.
Omot, this is one of the things that Anyuak community need to work on before asking government help. Anyuak claim to be Ethiopian especially when you find them in Ethiopian border and you can not be surprise to see the same person with Sudan Identification card when he/she is in Sudan soil, in other hand, Anyuak complain bitterly against Ethiopian government and yet to the Sudan governments or tribes in Sudan as well, In another twist, you still find good number of Anyuak living in Murle and Nuer towns. Many Anyuak involve in any daily businesses both in Pibor and Akobo like any other native of those respective towns, yet Anyuak never stop hatred against those very communities who host them when they are in Problems. When Anyuak fought with Ethiopian few years ago, Murle and Nuer were the only tribes to help Anyuak to come and hide in their midst. Sometimes, when Anyuak complain about Murle,it surprises regular readers like me and others, in addtion, Anyuak used to have militias supported by Sudan government by then, for instant,the commander who died of cross fire between SPLA and Sudan government in 1996 in Panchalla was from Anyuak armed by Sudan government, I don’t know how many guns or militias are needed to qualify a tribe to have militia? Secondly, when SPLA left Ethiopia in 1991 after Former Ethiopian president Magistu was hoisted from power, a lot of people fall as Anyuak victims, Anyuak made away with a lot of weapons and ammunions of any sort, in all these, non of the tribes or government put Anyuak in black list, Anyuak community need to remember all these.
For the issue of disarmament, I don’t have objection at all, but, I don’t think the governement of South Sudan or Sudan will buy such kind of unnationalistic idea, South Sudan have strong army that is capable to handle any situation available in south sudan,in this regard, there is nothing that need foreign troops to come and disabilize our citizens in our soil. Before I pull over, I want to ask Mr. Omot to try unite Anyuak under one goal though his residency in Ethiopia is still in question. We, in Sudan need every community to stand at clear ground than to perpetuate negative compaigns against other communities while in unknown status.
I hope you change the way you think Mr. Omot.
God bless.