Situation returns to normal in Unity State – official
By Ngor Arol Garang
October 4, 2009 (ABYEI) – The situation in Unity state capital is returned to normal, after clashes between two factions of southern Sudan army, said a state official who assured that the conflict was individual and lasted only for few hours.
Units loyal to SPLA deputy commander in chief, Gen. Paulino Matip Nhial and troops under the command of Governor Taban Deng Gai clashed twice on Friday where 16 people, 12 miliatery and four civilians, were killed. Reports from the region indicate the fighting was a result of power struggle between the two old foes but SPLA and Unity state officials say it was not politically motivated.
Mr. William Tuil, an advisor to Governor Taban Deng Gai on peace, border and conflict resolution from Bentiu told Sudan Tribune that the situation in the capital of the oil rich state is normal now.
“I would very much like to assure general public and particularly those caught by this surprised incident that the fight which erupted on 2 October, here in Bentiu, Capital of Unity State, following differences between guards belonging to our Governor Taban Deng Gai and General Paulino Matip Nhial is under control.”
“All activities have resumed and people are walking freely on the streets as usual,” he further added.
On the causes of the conflict, Nhial said there was nothing serious but a simple argument that unfortunately turned into fighting.
“It just started as simple argument between the two gentlemen. Both of whom are guards guarding residents to belonging Governor Deng and General Nhial, he said.
He further added that this simple argument without validate reason escalated into full military confrontation where bodyguards used sophisticated weapons.
The state adviser for peace minimized the significance of the clashes which implied the intervention of southern Sudan vice-president and Nuer elders as well as other high ranking officials in the SPLA.
“This incident should not be taken as tribal or political. It is pure accident between individuals who have already resumed working and walking together,” he said.
Mr. Tuil stressed on the sense of fraternity and forgiveness among the Nuer people. He said they can fight and kill each other but they however would walk together and “become the best friends.”
“May be this is how God has creates us,” he stressed. “In Nuer land, if you are not careful, you the innocent person will be the victim of their fights,” he added.
“These soldiers who are now dead and wounded were dispatched from nearby SPLA force to contain the situation but they became victims because they did not know how to approach this situation since majority of them were from other tribes,” he emphasized.
The commander of the SPLA Infantry 4th Division deployed in Unity State intervened and managed to control the situation since Friday evening.
Also the southern Sudan army sent yesterday Saturday a high ranking delegation led by SPLA Deputy Chief of General Operations, Lt. Gen. Obuto Mamur Mete, to investigate the incident “so that all the culprits are brought to book,” said the SPLA spokesperson.
(ST)
Dinka Boy
Situation returns to normal in Unity State – official
The animals escalate the fight and they said that the death number were greater from other tribes. That is stupid enough.
Please the act of stupid tribes Nuer as the Advsor of the governor said would be animals act.
he said Nuer fight for simple thing and latter walked together. What ashame tribe in the South was.
If the case is simple, then it should be negotaitable instead of fight.
Now their are innocent SPLA from other tribes died for nothing because of the criminals who like defecting.
I believed they did this fight intentionally to killed the other Soldiers from different tribes like Dinka.
Nuer mind must be treated from birth to reached the mind of intectual. See what that nuer Advisors said, if u are not careful, then you might be the victims according to Nuer.
Case tribe ever in the South.
AUGUSTINO DENG
Situation returns to normal in Unity State – official
My condolence goes to the families whose relatives are killed in the riot that happening in Unity State.
I’m really fate-up when I heard the fighting happening in Unity State. I hopes it shall not be like on-going crisises happening between Dinka Bor and Nuer Lou of Jonglei State. It should be good to hear that the clashes between an Extremist Party of the Former Rebel of Gen Paulino Matiip Nhial and the SPLA forces of the Former Rebel of Gen Taban Deng Gai is purely mollified.
This time is the time in which all Southern Sudanese people should stop killing amongst themselves. Now, what benefit should Southern Sudanese people have to get when people are killed? I urged all the Southern Sudanese in order to adapt perseverance in their hearts. Killing of one another in term of revenge is not the right choice to sustain Unity amongst all Southern Sudanese. It sound good to me that the situation in Unity State is normalized, but it is useless to hear that people are killed.
Jok 011
Situation returns to normal in Unity State – official
Yes, MR William Tuil, it is a normal thing for Nuer to kill each other and others people too and I strongly believe “when you said may be that is how God creates you the Nuer”. Because you know it very well that the Bentiu problem could have been easly solve. So, i’m wounderining what will Gartwech say since he always pretend on this website all the times. So Nuer you are just Nuer. In Dinka Nuer meaning is a rubush dirt or a piece of shites.
Gatwech
Situation returns to normal in Unity State – official
Dear readers,
Every body knew that it was just an argument between two bodyguards which would have been handled with care. But because of the tribal nature of GOSS leadership, the SPLA commander in Bentiu foolishly ordered his soldiers from other tribes to escalate the fighting. This is why most of the casaulties are said to be from other tribes than the Nuer themselves.
Thank you Mr. Advisor William Nhial for shaming Salva Kiir, Paul Mayom, Kuol Diem Kuol, Malaak, etc for their tribal motivation to make the incident look bigger than it was. This is why God made the casualties high on their tribal soldiers they dispatched prematurely.
Time1
Situation returns to normal in Unity State – official
It is already a known fact that the NCP is part of those involved in destabilising th south and to weaken its government, but can salva kirr and GOSS do something about it, untill when we will continue to point fingers at khartoum while here on the ground people are dying?
Something has to be done from our side to secure the land properly using the appropriate security organs as in any stable country, now GOSS need to do more, focus on building our security organs capabilities so to be able to deal with this situations, government and law enforcement institutions in the south still require more attention, more capacity building and education on how to deal with such conflicts amongs tribes and threats from within and without.
Kirr has to focus more on building a strong well equipt and properly balanced and neutral security and law enforcement sectors, beating around the bush with poor excuses is not going to help us all as southerners, This is the only way to stamp this tribal violence through empowering the security sector from central to all states, it should help to monitor the peace, carry investigations, check for illegal arms movements across the different states and through the border, and to crack down on suspected instigators of violence be them locals or foreigners. Meanwhile the government has to provide the services and other means for this cattle rustlers to be able to support themselves and turn away from violent ways to earn and make a living. I believe that GOSS has fallen short in terms of security, apart from security inside major towns, to government leaders, state houses and other top officials, there are some problems outside major towns and in the country side as a whole which has not been touched by the presents of GOSS institutions. There is a big security hole that needs to be filled in all this states using well trained professional and well equipt police, security and armed forces, otherwise we will continue to see more tribal fighting and more death in many areas to come.
I agree with the president that militias and organised armed gangs are getting external support to cause violence but what are we in the south going to do now? sit there and keep crying? untill when?