S. Sudan Speaker calls for solutions among hostile Mundari and Bari

By Isaac Vuni

May 15, 2009 (JUBA) — The Deputy Chairman of the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement and Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly
Hon. James Wani Igga appealed to communities of Mundari and Bari to
amicably address their differences that have resulted in violence
claiming lives of innocent citizens.

Mundari and Bari had been living for many years without fighting each
other, said Hon. Wani, wondering why they are fighting after the CPA
has been signed.

Wani accused some malicious politicians within Southern Sudan’s
government of being used by Khartoum’s ruling party to derail the
hard-won CPA and urged peace-loving southerners to expose such
individuals so that they are brought to book.

He had just returned to Juba today after visiting six out of ten
southern states for an SPLM strategic mobilization campaign that
featured nomination of candidates at all levels for the coming general
elections scheduled for February 2010.

Insecurity in and around Juba had worsened over the last week as
Mundari raiders allegedly looted, raped women and raided cattle and
goats of the Bari people. Scores of Bari have fled to Juba.

On the other hand, Mundari leaders have levelled accusations against
the Bari, implicating them in crimes and slamming them for maintaining
militia forces. Mundari statements, in a letter signed by Commissioner
Juma Ali Malua and other figures, accused Bari of plotting to close
the public road between Juba and Terekeka, Juba-Mongalla and
Juba-Mongalla river transport, with the intention of closing routes to
Terekeka County to create political, social and economic difficulties.

The implication was that this plot was premeditated by some Bari top
politicians, senior ranking SPLA officers, youth, women and religious
leaders.

Mundari leaders pointed to a number of cases: for instance, three
bodies were found April 24 floating on the surface of the Nile River,
which were recovered at Mayong village and identified to be Mundari
killed by Bari at Mabil, Nyuwa, Payeti and Gwerkek.

In another instance, the letter stated that Mundari youth James Lado
Bero was maliciously shot on the left leg by a police sergeant who is
from the Bari tribe that led the youth being admitted in Juba Teaching
Hospital and later dying on April 22 of bleeding. They cited other
crimes with alleged Bari involvement.

Mundari leaders expressed loyalty to SPLM/A, pointing out that since
2006 when Governor Maj. Gen. Clement Wani declared himself to SPLM/A
all their militias in Terekeka joined SPLA followed by Maj Gen. Elia
Ladu Surur in 2007 with all his forces.

Unlike the Mundari, said the letter, the Bari maintain militias under
commands of Lt. Gen. Alfred Ladu Gore, Col. Candido Swaka lo Kinyong
and Col Paulino lo Nyombe, who are responsible for terrorizing Mundari
along Juba-Terekekeka and Juba-Mongalla roads .

The Mundari figures appeal for immediate opening of roads, deployment
of security between Payeti and Gwerkek at Ngulubur (Khor Jamus) and
that all culprits must be brought to book.

Other signatories to the letter, which was sent senior southern
officials, were Hon. Margarate Peter Abudi, Hon. Adam Puda Diyo, Hon.
Emmanuel Joseph, Hon. Agustino Taban Mica, Hon. Clement Maring Samuel,
Hon. Ghada James Killa, Hon. Angelo Laku Kidia, Hon. Nadia James
Hakim, Hon. Shukuralla Laku Ramba, Hon. Lazarus Genaba Lokule, Hon.
Donato Bero Sule along with 24 other intellectuals of the Mundari
community.

HON. WANI PRAISES DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS

Speaking with journalists about his trip, he described various signs
of progress in the states he had visited. He seems to have been
impressed with developmental progress in states the delegation
visited, saying they are actively fulfilling the motto of the SPLM
party of “taking the town to rural people.”

Development in Torit, the town of southern Sudan known for its
historic role in the 1955 mutiny that opened rebellion in the south,
has opened international roads connecting the region with Uganda,
Kenya, Ethiopia and DR Congo for the first time in history of the
south. One can easily drive from one state to another without any
hindrance.

Hon. Wani emphasized that construction of guest houses in the states
for accommodating both local and foreign tourists at reasonable prices
is a great achievement of the SPLM party.

Yambio has greatly improved from when it was under the previous
coordinating council government while Rumbek has a wonderful network
for all categories of visitors and from Aweil one can drive to
Khartoum without any hindrance on the way, he recounted.

The Speaker told journalists that Busier secondary school in Northern
Bahr el Ghazal state Wau would soon be upgraded to a university in
memory of Dr. John Garang de Mabior who attended secondary school
there that let to him getting a doctorate at an American University.

(ST)