Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
By Philip Thon Aleu
July 30, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – Celebrations to mark Sudan’s Martyrs in Jonglei state are marred with “suspended militia” attack in Twic East County where five civilians are killed and 9 others injured, officials say.
There is no confirmation from Lou Nuer authorities and Uror in particular which borders Duk County that youths headed for raiding at Greater Bor territory. Deputy Governor Hussein Mar Nyuot condemned the killing at the celebration of Sudan’s Martyrs Day here today saying: “Those people have no reason to die.”
At Tuesday/Wednesday night in Baping village, armed men – speaking Nuer language took a heifer while holding residents at gun point, said Commissioner Diing Akol Diing from Panyangor on phone.
“On Wednesday morning, Nyuak youths followed the direction of raiders only to fall into an ambush in Nyaken – a cattle camp deserted long ago,” Mr. Akol said.
“We are suspecting them [attackers] to be militia because they are more than 200… and heavily armed,” he further said.
The situation remains tense but fighting had stopped by press time after the alleged raiders from Lou Nuer defeated Nyuak youths. “There are rumors going on around that all cattle camps” [in Twic East] are under raiders threats,” he said when asked to speak about the security situation at the time.
The dead – all civilians, are from Twic East side, Commissioner Diing Akol told Sudan Tribune by phone from Panyagor – the headquarters of Twic East County.
There is also “periodic raiding” in neighboring Duk County, Mr. Akol further stated without accusing a particular group of raiders.
Cattle rustling is a common activity in South Sudan among pastorals communities carried out by men who refused to join organized armed forces following 2005 peace. Jonglei , inhabited substantially by pastoralists, among other Southern states, is gravely affected by raiding usually between tribes.
Past efforts to disarm civil population have not materialized and South Sudan authorities have pledged new approach this year. Politicians are always at the core of tribal wrangles because civilians obtain new riffle and ammunition with less difficulty.
Speaking at a rally to mark Sudan’s Martyrs Day at Bor Town Freedom Square on Thursday, Deputy Gov. Mar attacked unspecified politicians of inciting tribal conflicts.
“The politicians start it [tribal conflict] and innocent people suffer,” he said in Arabic.
However, local clashes in South Sudan are not limited to ethnic diversity. 38 people are hospitalized in Bor Civil hospital following Tuesday fight among Kolnyang Boma youths, Bor County. Though modern riffles were not used, some of the victims, of the wooded-made-sticks war over sentimental marital differences, are in critical conditions.
Meanwhile, celebration to mark the Martyrs’ Day went on peacefully in the state capital on Thursday with attendance of organized forces, schools, churches and town residents.
Jonglei Speaker Jodi Boyoris, Bor County Commissioner Maker Lual Kuol, State ministers Agot Alier of health, Gabriel Gai Riam of Parliamentary affairs, Timothy Taban Jouch of Information and communication, Mach Malual the commissioner of headquarters among others attended the tremendous ceremony.
South Sudan citizens observe today Martyrs day to commemorate the people who lost their lives during the civil war with the north. In year 2007, the President of the Government of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, declared July 30th an annual public holiday in south Sudan to commemorate the memorial of SPLM/A leader, Dr. John Garang, who died in a plane crash in the south in 2005 and other deaths from war and related circumstances.
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Army (SPLM/A) have lost about eighty thousand fighters during the North-South civil war, while about two million civilians have died during the war and its following repercussions.
The State chiefs spoke at length for the half-day event held in heavy sunshine of Bor on possibility to cease tribal conflicts and open new phase of liberation once led by their own son Dr. John Garang de Mabior.
Developmental prosperity and peaceful coexistence are sorts of ‘new phases of liberation’ sought by local leaders. A role model state – as Jonglei is always referred to, influences southern politics and stability of the region.
Deputy Gov. Mar told the diminishing gathering scared by strong sun heat, that investment in agriculture has been observed keenly by state leadership. He announced offering of vast open land in the east of Bor County and shared by many Counties to American agriculturalist for farming.
Mr. Mar says efforts to disarm civil population as stipulated by the Government of Southern Sudan are “highly welcome by Jonglei State” to get rid of illegal small and light weapons.
A workshop held on Saturday July 25, 2009 by Small and Light Weapons group , a local association, claims that civilians are “waiting when the government will collect guns” which are more destructive at families’ level.
A 2006 disarmament exercise turned violent in Lou Nuer killing hundreds of people including south Sudan army soldiers, the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA).
(ST)
Kur
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
Those who attack innocent people on this important day are no morjae than the agents sent by the janjaweed regime in Khartoum. You will pursue your evil intentions, but they will fail. In the end freedom and justice will prevail.
Kur
J.James
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
Mr. Mar
You don’t need just to condenm the attackers instead you need to go and talk to your community to stop killing innocent civiliants because that was the reason why you were appointed as a deputy governor and it don’t make sense if your own tribe kill people while you are in the office. If so, what do you expect the others to do?
Now our goal is to bring Jongolei to a better stage, no more killing.
Please bring the violent down,
God bless
The writer is at the distant watches every step corruptors are taking against the country.
Akurjok
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
Thanks Philip Thon for keeping people up to date. I, for one did not know that this ugly ‘incident took place at my own village, Baping. It was only after reading your report that I came to know of the incident.The village that came under attack by the same people is one of the places which bore the heaviest brunt of 1991 so called massacre of Bor civilians which was orchastrated by the same attackers. Many innocent civilians lost their lives in defense of their cattle, children, women and men. To remind you this Nyaken is within the vicinity of one of the places where heaviest encounter between these same people and the civilians in 1991 happened. There is ,therefore,some cue that history is repeating itself. Also the attack was sporadic and cooordinated in that it affected most parts of Twic East county as evidenced by the attack at Lith payam.
But somthing here for me to add to your report, the number of people killed is six-not five. I confirmed this when I called home ten minutes ago. The number is from Baping village alone. The village was the only one participating in the encounter. The wounded and everything else remain unchanged.
I am somewhat angered by the reaction of the Deputy governor of Jonglei state by just saying that he condemns the attack without telling us what he can do as a member of the government of the state. This has been his way of reactng to events like this. Condemning the attack only in words will not effect anything. It is like supporting it.HUSSEIN MAR NYUOT should have come out clearly and tell his county fellows that the 1991 madness is over. Remember they are the ones who planted this hatred in the hearts of his people when they mobilised them in 1991 against the civilians of Bor. He should his Luo Nuers that the business is finished. They will listen to him. He led them to war and he should lead them to peace. Does anybody know that Dr. Lual Achuek, state minister for finance in the GONU is from this village? Does anybody know that his broother was in when Nyuon Bany defected from the SPLA to join the enemy? He was a captain then. Does anybody know the contribution of the Dr. during the war and now? Was he not a member of the movement political wing- SPLM? Why do people who are building our nation have to suffer like this at the hands of these useless people?
Akurjok is a son of a freedom fighter.
Controller
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
This conflict between Lou Nuer and Dinka Bor in general will not end, until all Dinka move to the others side of the River and leave that area for Lou Nuer.
It has nothing to do with Lou Nuer politicians and Dinka politicians.
It has somethings to do with what Prophert Ngundend said many years a go. Prophert Ngundeng said that the Noors Bor area will be the new homeland for Lou Nuer.
Then, all Dinkas will move to the other side of the river.
Also, Prophert Ngundeng said that his Temple will be built in Noori Bor after Lou Nuer Community immigrated to Noori Bor.
The Dinka elders knew that it will happen according to Propert Ngundeng his words. It is just a matter of time.The Disarmament of Lou Nuer is not going to do anything at all, if Prophert Ngundeng words are not yet finished.
Some of you will not believe these words until the day they come and happen.
Finally, those who believe Prophert Ngundeng is words can make a different to bring peace in the region by moving the Dinka to the other side of river and allow Lou Nuer Community to occupy that area, for the good of peace in the State.
Thank you all.
Controller
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
Dear Akurjok
You are not a son of freedom fighter.
you are a son of coward.
If you are a son of freedom fighter,you would not be talking about 1991 incidence.
You should be talking about how these two communities who share only one State can get back together and live peacefully.
Mr. Akurjok all words will bring back another 1991 incidence against your people from Lou Nuer,and will not like it.
Thanks
Father Critic
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
Dear barking dogs Mr.Controller and Kim Deng,
Bear in mind that a camel keeps on moving when a dog is barking.Your comments seem to me like nothing for you are from Nuer community.
What do you know about Dinka Bor apart from your being mobiles since the war broke out in 1983.I know very well that Nuer community is expert in gatism Or they are ‘anyaageets.’
Anyway keep on barking but remember some of you will curse the day they were born.
How many things have you done to Dinka Bor and Bhar-El-Ghazel but we are just keeping silent not because we fear you but we want to deal with the common enemy which is Arab.
Critic Ngueny from Bor town.
James Riak
Jonglei mark Martyrs Day as 5 people die in ‘suspected militia’ attack
To start with, I would like to thanks all who commented on this topic, it is critical issue which need every one who is the true citizen for South Sudan to comment on.
My fellow brother, the media is the eye for South Sudanese people, it should not incise the violent, we can rather advice as some of us did.
The incident in Jonglei is not between Nuer and Dinka, it is between the local community of Lou and Bor, like what happened in Nasir between Jikany and Lou, they were all Nuer, then there was fighting. I don’t agree with some comments which come up with 1991, I total agree with the person who advise the deputy Governor to look at the solutions to the current insecurity in the State, not because he is a Nuer from Lou, because he is in charge for the state security. Lou and BOr even though you like it or not you are in the same state, and you have to get together to fight the common enemy together, Nuer and Dinka are not enemy, You are the people of South Sudan you have the task to build the Nation, this words should come from an uneducated people who know only their villages, not from some one writing in the media.
Let us not confuse our mind with useless tribal differences, otherwise the Arabs will challenge you more.
Thank