S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
July 4, 2011 (BENTIU) – The governor of Unity State Taban Deng Gai has sacked the commisioner of Mayom County after he accused the South Sudan army of killing over 200 civilians and burning down over 7,000 homes in May this year.
The Mayom commisioner Charles Machieng Kuol alleged that on 21 May the SPLA destroyed civilian property as it chased a rebel militia group out of the area. He went on to condemn the SPLA and accuse them of terrorising citizens from his county.
Over the last one month, Machieng has been under pressure from the state governor Gai to apologise for his comments. After he failed to so he was dismissed on June 30.
Charles Machieng Kuol confirmed that he had been fired on Friday in a interview with Sudan Tribune. Although governors are elected in South Sudan, County Commisioners are not and are appointed at the will of the governor.
The former commisioner said that although he had been relieved of his position investigations would still go ahead into the burning of 7,800 homes and what he described as a massacre by the SPLA in Mayom County under the authorisation of the state leadership.
Kuol added that he has faced continuing pressure to retract his statements on the incident to the media, accusing the SPLA of torturing and killing civilians.
However, SPLA spokesman Philip Aguer has denied that the government of South Sudan directed the military to kill civilians and burn down thousands of homes.
Members from the Mayom community are seeking ways to file investigations into what they say was a massacre by the SPLA.
More than two hundreds of civilians were killed in the clashes according to the outgoing commissioner in Mayom County.
According to UN figures 1,800 people have been killed through cattle-raiding and conflict between South Sudan’s numerous rebel groups and the SPLA so far this year.
Many rebel groups began fighting the SPLA and South Sudan government after elections in April last year after candidates they supported failed to win seats as MPs or as state governors.
This year senior SPLA figure, Peter Gadet defected and formed his own group vowing to overthrow the Juba government, accusing officials of corruption and tribalism. International members of the Nuer community have claimed that there tribe have suffered war crimes at the hands of Dinka elements of the SPLA. Gadet, a Nuer, has tried to use Mayom County as the base for his insurgency.
In a statement to world leaders the Nuer community have asked that the International Criminal Court investigate the SPLA’s actions in Mayom.
Gadet integrated his forces into the SPLA in 2006 after the South’s peace deal in 2005 made the SPLA the official army of the region. During the civil war Gadet was backed by Khartoum a relationship the SPLA allege has continued after his defection. The NCP deny that they assist any of South Sudan’s rebel groups.
The SPLA is reguarly accused of human rights abuses. A secret UN report seen by Associated Press says that a 700-member battalion of SPLA commandos ‘fired indiscriminately on unarmed men, women and children during an attack on a rival ethnic group at a remote Nile River village in Jonglei state, killing or wounding hundreds of civilians, according to witness accounts’.
In an attempt to professionalise the southern military as it prepares to become a national army the US is spending nearly $100 million a year on training the SPLA.
(ST)
belle loboi
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
This is what we called corruption, how can you remove someone like that who is depending the right of this county. People were killed and house were burned dwon, so accept your mistake. Now we need to investigate this incident very serioulsy without limitation in the long run. This commissioner need to go back to his position within 72 hours otherwise we will prevail to the ICC in one month or more. We do not have any room to cover anybody dead in Unity State at this time. Who ever did it will be brought to justice
George Bol
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Dear governor Taban Deng,
Yep! a leader need not to lie in the public. You did a right thing because this commissioner is accuser and he is working days and nights with rebels of Peter gadet in Mayom county in Unity state. Why he/commisior keeps quite when the rebels assemble in his county as their base against the SPLM.
This must be a lesson to those who host rebels in their backyard. Please, I thank governor Taban for his well job he did. These people like that commissioer are the cause of problem in the South. Now, we need to track down militia gadet Yak with his groups and everything will be fine in unity state. Thanks
Aleu
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Mr. Charle Machineg Kuol.
According to what I know before the clashed between SPLA in Unity State and Former SPLA general Peter Gadat Yaka. There was a warning given to civilians in particular, Machien and Mayom as well as many others area to stayed away from those Gadate militia unfortunatel, the Mayom community endures Gadat group instead, telling them not to bring disaster to them.
There was also another second warning and Charles himsealf was been inform that, Peter Gadat’s militiamen are using those areas to attacked on the SPLA and Charles fail to do any thing or he did not speak very strong as a commissioner for the county to stop the Mayom community associate with Former SPLA General Yaka.
Finally, Charles Kuol should not only pointing his blame on the SPLA in Unity State rather than finding out who was really causing that, trouble in Southern Sudanese themselves. Even kids can figureout the people bring that problems were Gatdluth or Gai the one who was hoping to get that, promised before knowing that person will be elected or not and Former SPLA Major General Peter Gadat Yaka, these individuals they are responsible for anything went wrong those days and not the SPLA who were just protecting land from any none authorization.
I think these people like Peter Gadat Yaka and Gai must listen to what Musican Mr. Gordon Koang Duoth said, in his music that, we do not want any faction in Southern Sudan but peace in our communities and Southern Sudan.
George Bol
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Dear Loboi,
Mr Kim Deng love the crime his tiger Gadet is doing in Mayom county. Please, do not support the accuser because they are our curse in the South. This is a new Ara by we belong to all South Sudan and not from Bul Mayom county were Militia always exist in Unity State.This time the evil doer will cary his own cross because Bashier has no enough money to give to the rebel and he has no intention to spent his money without purpose because we are different country now. Before, yes because he was using divide and rule against tribes so that he can gain from the mess. Now, the South know how bad it’s to serve the enemy against your own people. Thanks
Lamija Milaja
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
The commissioner was wright to talk about his citizens been massacred by the SPLA forces. The commissioner was correct to voice the concern in his county? He is assigned to take care of the very people SPLA claim to be their protectors.
Commissioner you have kept your integrity by not allowing yourself to refute what took place. For get about the position as long as you are competent you need not to buy position by denying facts. Let people who doubt thier competence kneel down for position.
Politicians likes of Taban Deng who don’t care about civilians only things of his position will reap the result of feeding on innocent blood of people and denying the facts that have been inflicted on innocent citizens by the SPLA forces.
God is watching all who deny civilians of their right and keep positions on expenses of ordinary citizens will account for their action if not on the earth but for sure will be before the creator (God).
paliau
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Congratulation dear governor of Unity state by having sacked the commissioner who is the greater tribalist,any having a myopic analytical thinking of supported the rebel.
therefore the houses which were burn down by the SPLA, were used by the rebel for their easy hiding,and those whom the commissioner claimed that the were killed by the SPLA solider were not the civilian,
Dau Mawut
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Welldone! Governor of Unity state (Taban Deng).
You have taken a wise decision, but still you need to be more serious on this issue.I think this Commissioner may be a supporter of George Athor Deng or Peter Gadet who are now against the current government of South Sudan for NO reason.How can the same SPLA killed thiers own wives,children,mothers and fathers for no reason? Therefore mr.commissioner must to be investigate properly to justify his statement.
Madingthith
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Dear Dau Mawutdit,
I totally agree with you and I also added my sincere thank to Mr. Taban Deng Gai by taking this independence decision because the commissioner is too mistaken and he must be appear to the court of law not only by sacking him.
He the Commissioner send the fake Human Right report to his cowards lost boys in Canada and America North detailing what was happened in Bul Nuer by through fabrications.
I am very sorry to hear that SPLA soldiers have launched massacre on civilians people in Mayom County especialy Bul Nuer and Mankien in particular. That was a mere propaganda from him the commissioner and am sure he is the supporter of Peter Gadet Yaka and some other reneges down there.
Luke Chuol, have read the article of today that your loyal reporter has been sacked by the authority of freedom fighter Mr. Taban Deng Gai. You double your efforts and writes many more reports to World Watch Dogs for intervention things are falling apart from your uncle the commissioner who was your source of informants.
You are a very liar person which I have never met, what a fake report on SPLA massacre in Mayom County especially Bul Nuer. You are a dish washers in Canada not a rightful person who is actually care for the right of the people in Bul Nuer.
During the war time why don,t you come or report to whosoever that SPLA had done this and that, and now you began to scratch from nothing that SPLA have committed massacre / crimes against humanity and all these. Are you really sober? You jot down a very long list that ICC will indicted is that real or mirage? You better be self-conscious about what to report and why,how, where and when? It is not the matter of picking pen or sitting on computer and write useless things against your government and people at large. Don,t come again to South Sudan you have advertized yourself and you are likely to be waylaid by SPLA soldiers whom you and your uncle the commissioner accused of committing war crimes against humanity.
There is a proverb which says” do not insult the crocodile while crossing the river”
You can feel free and continue this comments…………..
Shame on you Luke Chuol, Gatkuoth and Reat.
Madingthith a man of transparency, justices and accountability.
Dinka Dominated SPLA/M
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Yep that is a good lesson because that commissioner of mayom county was and still a criminal who work with militias at night and work with Government at day time just like Dr Riek machar who worked with Government of of south Sudan and at the same time supporting militias at night.
he even desreved death not just fired only.
death to him.
Chier Akueny
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
The government of friendship and it lacks realities at the same time however, Kiir Mayardit, Kuol Manyang Juuk, Malong Awan, Taban Deng Gai and others will remain in South Sudan and mere citizens will go where they like. Please don’t surprise because they are the judges, attorney generals and leaders at the same times.
I am sorry to hear this news.
Regard
Waucity
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
You Nuer think there will be a better government without you following the law…You are the one creating rebels..So in order to get the rebels out by the government, it is a definit truth that those who live with rebels will be affected…Why did your community not do anything to bring Petter Gagdet back home…Even if there is corruption, why should Gadet dispute that so much, when he was the one that never did anything to anybody…
Haak
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
Dear readers and parties concern (Governor and commisioner)
In the mind of intellectual and natural wisedom from God, we need to accused the two leaders on the following perspectives.
1. first and foremost why should the Governor Taban Deng dismissed his junior employee on the baseless point. constitutionally its the obligation and sole duty of the county commissioner to defend and fight for the right of his people which the Mayom county ex-commisioner was applying that atrocity cause by Gadet Yaka.
2. 2nd why did ex-commisinoner accommodate the rebel without acknowledging the government
in the above scenerio and view, i think all of the same coin of diffent side
Haakamadology
American Missile.
S. Sudan’s Unity sacks commissioner who accused SPLA of Mayom massacre
First of all, i would like to congratulates each and everybody for the new Nation that will be celebrated on Friday and Saturday.and Sunday will be the blessing Day for all of us.
However,to added my comments on the Controversial Commissioner of Mayom County who was sacked by Governor. From the pointed of the leadership,you are accountable to any abuse and misconducts. and in this case,that’s why Mr. Commissioner was sacked due to his mistook of accusing his owned State and Goss for the Cattle rustlers attacked or killing in Unity and above all,he forgot that the militias are also parts and parcel of insecurity in his County.
He deserved to be sacked due to his indiscipline and misconduct.please don’t defend your person, just because he/she came from your villager and forget Nationalism,or paying you something for your days.
Let us embrace the Integrity and Value of ourselves.
God bless you and i like your all expression.
By American Missile.