Jonglei chiefs tell government to enforce laws

By Thon Philip Aleu

May 15, 2009 (BOR) — The reason why peace used to prevail in our land is that chiefs whose people are found of raiding under their shield were removed from leadership but today, crimes are committed with impunity, said Jonglei paramount chiefs, the highest traditional leaders.

Uror County Paramount Chief Gatluak Thau Kuony (photo) and Duk County Paramount Chief Chuei Leek Deng share their views with the Sudan Tribune on the issues causing tribal conflicts, what has not been done by local leader and the government to end the clashes surging in recent months and commitments to the recent peace deal reached between the two tribes; Dinka Bor and Nuer – the Dr. Garang Institute Peace Agreement.

The agreement stated disarmament, cessation of hostilities and amicable resolution of tribal conflicts among others. The like failure of the peace deal may rest on the speed of implement and chiefs’ inability to reveal criminals in their villages.

Chiefs Gatluak Thau Kuony and Chuei Leek Deng, speaking to the Sudan Tribune separately, pointed out that laws should be executed as articulated in the constitution.

“I am an old man and I can’t support cattle theft,” Gatluak Thau said through a translator. He was reacting to allegations that chiefs benefit from cattle raiding in their respective locations. After looting cattle, it’s claimed that raiders contribute to their chiefs in most cases to secure any attend of possible arrest by County’s authorities.

The 66 year-old calls on the government to arrest criminals where he says, “I will help to apprehend thieves.” Mr. Thau suggested 7-10 years imprisonment for cattle thieves and death by hanging for deadly raiding. Mr. Thau calls on the government to end lawlessness by dealing without sympathy. Anticipating the outcome of peace discussion on Wednesday – just hours before signing the document, the traditional leader says he will respect the deal to turn the face of his villages.

“What I need to be engaged in, is development. The [war] struggle cost a lot [of lives and properties]”, he said. Gatluak Thau Kuony heads over 20 chiefs in Uror County.

Duk County Paramount Chief Chuei Leek Deng is not different from his counterpart Gatluak Thau. “If the government keeps silent when community leaders are killed, then the situation grows wild,” Paramount Chief Chuei Leek responded when asked about the causes of contests between his people and the Lou Nuer.

He was referring to a Paramount chief allegedly killed in 2006 by Lou Nuer attackers. Mr. Leek seeks compensation for lives lost and properties looted starting from 2008 alongside the chief murdered 3 years ago. But Mr. Leek seizes peace then everything.

He told the Sudan Tribune after the signing of peace accord on Thursday that “peace allows pasture to grow. Children develop very well in peace era. I am a person loves peace.”

As part of his effort to keep Duk and Lou Nuer Counties together, Paramount Chief Chuei initiated the dishonored 1994 Poktap peace agreement. He also contributed to 2004 and 2007 peace agreements with Gatluak Thau.

Relationship between Nuer and Dinka Bor tribes in Jonglei state were tore apart by 1991 massacre which followed SPLM internal coup. The faction sought to weaken former rebel leader and SPLM founder late John Garang intended by killing his tribesmen.

Thousands of people were killed and comprehensive cattle raiding culminated to 1992 famine where many more thousands of lives were lost in Bor. But we must to the future to change Southern Sudan, Chief Leek says and “the 1991 massacre is for the government to decide and tell us.”

Paramount chief Chuei Leek furthermore asks the government to collect arms saying: “There is this thing called collection of guns [disarmament]. If the government doesn’t take guns, then it’s unable to do so.”

Leek called for the arrest of chiefs who are proprietors of cattle theft. When a chief is removed from his leadership for supporting criminals, he says, other chiefs will fear losing position. This will also acts as example and avoid repetition of mistakes. Chief Leek wants government to check the routes of supply of ammunitions to rural villages especially the Ethiopian and Northern Sudan inlets.

He proposes 10 years imprisonment for cattle thieves and death by hanging for murderers.

Due to insecurity and inaccessibility of most Counties by roads in Jonglei State, many local administrative units do not have stable schools. And if there are some, the standard of services is stumpy – an average some chiefs used during the peace discussion to bull their counterparts they accused of supporting raiding.

“Because you like stealing cattle, there is no primary three class in your Payam,” one of the chief said while accusing another of collaborating with youths in cattle theft during the peace conference held at Dr. John Garang Institute in the State capital Bor.

Following the five peace talks among Uror, Nyirol, Duk, Ayod and Twic East Counties, a peace document was signed on Thursday by five Paramount chiefs. Intellectuals who attended the peace meeting have different approach to the discussion.

In interviews with the Sudan Tribune at the peace venue, views of intellectuals will be published in the next couple of days. Federal minister of transport, roads and bridges pledged construction of roads in the Counties which signed the peace on Thursday as part of development as chiefs pointed to poor delivery of services as one of the causes of intertribal conflicts.

(ST)