Machar’s apology for 1991 Bor tragedy is patriotic
By Isaiah Abraham
August 11, 2011 — The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) broke up in August 1991 until 2002, when the two sides came together again. The break up at that time was so devastating and nearly brought the liberation struggle to its knees. There were problems everywhere: on the military and political fronts. The ugly part of it all is the tribal dirty seeds it has sown among our people. It was a split that never to be talked about openly unless one is prepared to soak all kinds of salvos from those against and for it.
The split by our people at that time, just not to waste your precious time, was unnecessary fratricide and horror we must now leave behind as we look forward to rebuild our nation. A healing is badly needed, the very pain caused by the aftermaths of the 1991 split. No amount of reparation could assuage that pain of destruction in that land, but admission of the miscalculation or mistake does. A bright chapter was opened to important section of our society. It took one man initiative to bury the matter (hatchet).
That is why this man called Machar has gone to bed with the Southern Public. The man is here to stay whether you hate or like him. He has everything it takes to stay there, irrespective of what haters want done or not done against him. This is a beauty of people with big hearts. May this gifted man continue to offer directions to his people, Oh! May the vision of this great man be firm and unshakable, Oh!
But some people will rebuff the big man offer on the ground that it was ‘justice delayed and therefore should be denied’- that it came late. They also argue that the big man should have gone to Bor or Panyagor to express it under no pressure (recall how elders in the party started the argument. The other concern is that the Vice President made an apology after the man they have tried to wrest power has gone (dead).
The author however thought that time doesn’t affect the truth so long as it was done in good faith. Going to Bor/Panyagor or Duk again isn’t a deal; since the big man has gathered courage to do what a civilised person does, there is no elephant to make out of it to press him to the wall. Between him and father (Dr. Garang) and as politicians and learned ones, they had cleared their differences then and forever.
Radicalists within their camps in this regards shouldn’t make mountains again out of mound hills; they got to shut up, and allow our people this opportunity for healing. Machar has started it, others must follow.
Let’s look briefly at the so-called apology at Garang’s home in Juba on that cold Sunday the 7th, its importance to everyone and the leader (Machar) in question. We shall do it in few notes however. Our beloved Vice President chose the home of our hero (Dr. Garang) to make amend, something so symbolic and historic not done by any dead of living Southerners. What has killed our people and still will do them more harm is pride and arrogance. Time to forge ahead together is right here. It starts with you
Mama Rebecca de Mabior was just on a thanks giving service/occasion, and from nowhere politicians from there (Bor) scratched the matter and the big man didn’t disappoint. It was an emotional moment for everybody, something a coward and evil minded people won’t do. He stated what we usually say here that the rebellion was exploited by others, and wasn’t the policy of the break away faction; that is unmistakable truth. He took the blame as a leader, and he did it very emphatically and sincerely. We must be proud of this talent at the top!
Second, the elegiac will remind others who killed political prisoners in Ashwa or whatever near Pageri in Nimule County and Chukudum in 1993/1994 that what they did there to finish up politicians, officers and innocent people because of their political orientation or tribe was ingloriously a wrong. Whether the directives were given from ‘above’ or not, the loss of lives of our politicians, officers there remains unforgivable unless the authors of that wanton deaths of Southerners come out publicly and say ‘we are sorry’. Example is set by the Vice President how about them?
Take it right, this line above doesn’t allude to insinuation of group or one person, rather it is an expression of pain about what was done stupidly that must be let go out of our chests. It is shameful though that the officers who were engaged in disappearance are still being promoted, and are move from one plumb job to another. People know them and history will not be kind to such individuals in our society. Time has come for us to show maturity to the damage we did to ourselves.
Third, is that the said apology by the Vice President has put to rest (as far as Bor Community is concerned) a matter that has always divided our people; say Bor vs Nuer. The Big man (Machar) and by extension the larger Nuer community were targeted by Bor community for what had happened then in 1991. Yeah, brothers and sisters from Bor were on the receiving end of that rebellion and no right minded person could deny the destruction it has caused these people. But the by gone should be by gone, especially now that the big man has come out and say ‘he is sorry’. That is leadership, not because he personally ordered the macabre, no! Let no one again go over this matter again; it is close and is done. Congratulation to the big man for that job well done!
Forth just to wrap up, the entire Southern public shouldn’t take such moves with guile, wily reception or for that matter for granted. What this great son of South Sudan (Dr. Machar) did to Bor people in Juba (not necessary in Bor Town) on Sunday should be emulated by other leaders whose political path trails blood of innocent people in our land. Gen. George Athor Deng and Gen. Gordon Koang Chol should now renounce violence and say to Southerners ‘we are sorry’. By doing so, they are healed and allow others to heal too (Proverbs 28:13 and James 5:16). God bless Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhorgun!
Isaiah Abraham writes from Juba. He can be reached at [email protected]
Jayo
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
I think Machar should be forgiven for the sake of this nation called South Sudan.However,trying to justify the 1991 rebellion as something rather than the treacherous act it was does not bode well with setting a precedent for selfish political calculations.The 1991 rebellion together with its aftermath were traitorous and must save as example to any rebel who take up arms again against the people of South Sudan.
Chanson
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
This is completely and totally bullshit altogether.Isaiah Abraham you and your so-called big man should go to hell with that dirty apology/else suck it up.If you and that your political whore a crossed that line and think to get away with it than you got it wrong dude.What you called big man is nothing but idiot.Death to Riek..
Makuei
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Isaiah @ You can not bless the disgraced Riek. Riek’s rebellion against the People of Sudan, South Sudan and Bor people in particular is uncomparing. Stop collecting wrong stories for comparison.
If Riek did not order Nuer to finish Bor folks for Late Dr. Garang to give up power to traitor Riek.
Why did Nuers stayed for over 3 years in Bor area after displacing thousands, whereas thousands people killed? How many commanders from Nuer ran to Khartoum for the oil dollars while killing Southerners – during the last twenty yrs.
M' alual
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Sorry, they bring up flavour of exterminating, rapping Bor’s children, women and elderly cases again, go to hell and do not mention again volatile mind. We are not yet there for any petty reconciliation folks or mockery crying. 1991 of killing thousands of innocent people under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar, 1993 of killing of innocent lawyer under the leadership Dr.Garang Mabior. 1994 of starving thousands of innocent people under the leadership of Riek Gai, go to hell with mockery arresting of anyone there.
John Williamson
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Dr.Riek is one-step to the top seat whether by bullets or ballots, he can still make it! Dr.Riek has beat the same hand that feeds him and therefore,a collective of a coerceful apology will do little to the Massacred Bor community.This sounds irony and intimidating! common sense will tell the “big Man” that his egotistical political calcutions were wrongly directed to the innocent community members perhabs, the big man did not have ambitions to be voted into power by the public. Power in 21st century politic is all about the people-peolpe to be led have power to tell who they can vote into power at any time.
The late Dr.Garang and the greater Bor community are two different entities socially, economically and politically and therefore, any political differences with Garang’s leadership had nothing to do his enthnic community. I would rather sugggest the Big man should direct his apology to Dr.Garang’s Successor or rather the SPLM prototype system in which he went against and leave the Bor dinka to seek other legal avenues to ascertain facts behind their 1991’s fate by a political figure in the person of Dr.Riek Machar.
Deng Sam Malek
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Some corrections on Isaiah Abraham’s comments on Riek Machar apology to Bor community.
I am very much impressed by your usual writings on Sudan tribunes. You sound to be a good writer with spirit of nationalism at heart. I just had a chance to read through your article entitled “Machar move on the 1991 Bor tragedy is patriotic.” It carries with it intellectuality and nationalism. However, there are few things about it that put this beautiful piece of writing on the other side of the coin. Here are some of them:
• The man is here to stay whether you hate or like him. He has everything it takes to stay there, irrespective of what haters want done or not done against him.
• They also argue that the big man should have gone to Bor or Panyagor to express it under no pressure.
• Going to Bor/Panyagor or Duk again isn’t a deal; since the big man has gathered courage to do what a civilized person does, there is no elephant to make out of it to press him to the wall.
The first statement sounds not mature enough to have featured along with this good writing by a man like you. Here, the way you put it implies that he is irreplaceable and unpunishable, whether by rule of law or otherwise. Remember what happened in the story of David and Goliaz because you are Abraham and a Christian for that matter…. This sentence is not good for reconciliation purposes because it adds salt to the wounds for those who care not to forgive. It deserves omission.
Statements 2 and 3, all combined have fallen short of something dearly meant for this topic. If the apology was really aimed at peace and reconciliation, then there is no need why the big man should have no deal of going to the community and say it again without either fear or favor. Going to Bor, Panyagor or Duk does not show that Dr Riek is a coward for that matter. It is a gateway to the real intention behind his move. Here, we are looking at how to end our grievances once and for all – but doing some of it with pride and the other with real touch from the heart isn’t helpful at all. Remember, the Bor community in Juba is just a quarter of what stay in greater Bor. For that cause, the statement of his apology must be delivered by himself to the entire community. Reconciliation is never and has never ever been an easy exercise that can be concluded during a simple gathering. Remember his reconciliation with John Garang after his comeback from a breakaway – it took sometimes and all issues were explained to avoid repeat of the same story. It never ended between the two of them but the whole SPLM/A was informed.
My position on this matter is expressed by my article I wrote yesterday. In that piece, I expressed my feelings of forgiving Dr Riek because his move has shown maturity. I am from Bor but I find no reason of keeping hurt, pain or anger in my heart. It is time to forgive and move ahead because by gone is by gone like the way you put it. I love the way Dr has expressed himself and let him move forward with it to the entire community so that this issue is cleared and closed up forever – not anymore to be part of petty politics.
If you feel like knowing my exact position on this issue, then check on my article on Sudan tribune comments of 11 August 2011 and click on Deng Sam Malek. You are such a good writer that am proud of and your articles are always my best – Keep writing.
Am reachable at: [email protected]
Gat3ran
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Word of advice Mr. Try not to show your true identity when you are expressing your inner feelings. The more you wine about the issues that can be left behind, the more hatred your ego will generate.
I understand your reaction and frustration of Mr. Abraham’s article; hence, he explained his reasons and those who are willing to see our beloved country move forward agreed with Mr. Abraham.
Despite what people referred to as “Bor Massacre”. The people that would have been given an apology first are “Gajaak”. Do you see or hear Gajaak going around asking for apology? nope!
I am not telling you to forget what had happened, but I am asking you to support and follow the initiative that our VP has taken.
If you don’t agree with that, well, keep wining and i know for fact that your arrogant attitude+hate for Dr. Riek is not going to take you anywhere.
“Peace cannot come without forgiveness”
Thank you
Chirrilo Madut Anei
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Dear Mr. Isaiah Abraham,
I have never thought that you are another crony among many other political cronies and it is my surprise to learn that today! But allow me at the outset to honestly tell you and your big man that the 1991 Bor Tragedy is absolutely NOT patriotic. Continue to shower praises on your big man but the fact remain that you and him are not patriotic in the face of the Southern earth. If your daily utterance are for your daily bread, continue but remember that a day will come…
By CMA
nyieth-aguthonic
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Isaiah Abraham,
Are you not a “big man” too?
Shame on you! Even your own wife would divorce you if she come across this article of yours.
You should use Riek names’ to refer to him, but not Sir, Big man and God given.
I was really surprised that a person of your analytical stature would so easily accept and endorse stated position.
Madit Wuoi
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Isaiah Abraham,
I would have not commented but your constant ineptitude and bias compel me to waste my time responding to you.
For your future’s sake ( if you have heart and ears), you need to express your view in a mature and intellectual manner keeping in mind that situations which were dreadful and have been alleviated by such thing as an apology need not a poor thing like you to resurrect intimidating words that could deviate the core essence of the matter.
Your remark that ” Machar is here to stay like it or not” is an unfortunate word that betray your motive and essence of your article.
No one has ever claim to remove machar and the issue is not in the vocabularies of anyone because it is the same people whom you are intimidating who brought him fore to that position, and that is the late Dr Garang.
I don’t care how incompetent you are in adressing the public, but you have been in public arena for quite a while now, can’t the time and situations teach you to develop a sense of sanity.
Just because you hide behind the Jews names of Isaiah Abraham doesn’t mean you exude shameful opinions.
Please, please use your six senses and subtract stupidity, solicited praises and you will make a good writer.
You can’t just waste those precious times composing an article only to defecate right into its gist.
First give a thought on what you are writing about and give yourself time to thoroughly devise it but not to rush onto posting it in haste of being the first commentator.
Remember, he who laughs last laugh louder!!!
Praise Machar your habit but remember that you don’t own him alone without others who seem to disagree which is a healthy thing in any democracy.
Iam ashamed but I hope your will grow up to revisit your shames!
NO THANKS!!!!!
Nhomlawda
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Isaiah Abraham
Your blind support for Riek Machar had even made you mad to the level of altering words unthinkable of an educated dude.
Words like “The man is here to stay whether you hate or like him. He has everything it takes to stay there, irrespective of what haters want done or not done against him” make you appear unreservedly foolish.
Those who were hurt and still have reservations about Riek Machar true repentance from his 1991 agenda of annihilation of Dinka and complete destruction of SPLA/M still had both the political and military might to deny Riek Machar presidency of South Sudan and SPLM leadership if they want to do so. Riek Machar was against SPLA/M and it is the same SPLA/M Riek Machar depends on now. If SPLA/M decides to teach him his 1991 lessons, do you think your man will be in South Sudan? Think big before you write foolishly.
According to eye witness report published at http://www.newsudanvision.com Dr Riek Machar broke down into tears and cried till he was helped to stand up and consoled by Angelina Teny and her aides.
I believe the apology was from the top of Dr. Riek Machar’s heart after several years of living with guilt of heinous crimes committed against innocent people of Bor in the name of democracy which they were not opposing in the first place.
In 1991 when Dr. Riek Machar order the annihilation of Bor civilians because Dr. John Garang is from Bor and must be hurt where it hurts most according to Dr. Riek Machar 1991 orders to his troops; Riek Machar had never dreamt of such a day where he would stand among the powerful Dinka Community members to cry apologizing for heinous crimes his forces committed because of shortsightedness and lack of clear infighting objectives.
Bor people need Riek Machar to tour all Bor Payams apologizing and crying so that people of Bor can forgive him and his descendants, otherwise, Juba apology is for political consumption and people of Bor do not believe in Dr. Riek Machar crocodile tears which were meant to give his apology some weight and to attract sympathy from the Dinka Community.
Riek Machar crimes did not only affect Dinka Bor but the whole South Sudan. All Dinka killed by Arabs and Nuer militias in Bahr-el-Ghazal from 1991 – 2002 were killed by Riek Machar shortsightedness. All Bari women and children and all other Equatorians killed around Juba, Torit, Pageri, and Magwi when Arabs forces were pushing SPLA/M to the borders were killed by Riek Machar actions that stretched SPLA forces to the level that civilians were left vulnerable to aggression by enemy, and all the Nuer inter-clanal fighting that resulted after his rebellion were attributed to Riek Machar shortsightedness, plus many other cases where our civilians were humiliated because SPLA military power was stretched because of Riek Machar rebellion.
Riek Machar must publicly apologize to Dinka Bor, SPLA/M Leadership, and the whole nation of South Sudan for his shortsightedness and foolish orders in 1991 that almost brought South Sudan to complete collapse.
Teng Geng
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
If Riak Machar shows remorses for his actions of 1990s in his apology,then it should just be forgotten and people move forwards.I know the cruel actions by his allegiance armies during 1990s have had left permanent devastating impacts on families’ victims.
LL Reuben
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Gat3ran,
Our beloved country can move forward” only if civilization invades the minds of your chaotic community. The so-called Isaiah Abraham and Dr. Macbeth (Machar) are typical products of your disorganized community, a community which blames others for their own insanity. Dinka Bor community does not need an apology from a beast, whose motives were driven by greed for power.
The death of few insane Gajaak bandits in 1989 or whatever year it was, in the watch of William Nyuon Bany (a Nuer) cannot be compared to the massacring of the Bor innocent civilians by Riek Machar in 1991. These are two different scenarios, but with your usual denial of the truth I presume you feel not a shamed to match them against one another.
Anyways, I hate to waste my time debating with a yesterday moron, let’s just wait and see if Riek become the President in the South Sudan, said who?.. By the way if you want things to be calm then you need to talk to your insane primitives who are still aimlessly running in the Southern bushes chasing their tails like dogs.
Tell them opposing everything isn’t the real meaning of democracy, it is rather democrazy. Also tell Dr. Angelina Teny not to promise someone or a relative a position the next time she decided to run for any political post, that also is not democracy…but wait a minute she is suppose to know that..uhmm she is from Unity State were the world is upside down.
Chanson
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
@Gat3ran Stop throwing your garbage on this site rather than throwing them in garbage bins.That damn question of yours is too rhetoric.Why should I want to hear/see the damn thing called Gajaak.Do I personally look like Gajaak seeker?
Poor creature what Riek did in Bor generally is something so unforgettable believe me buddy.Roll your eyes and suck it.
Garang
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
As I put it once on this forum,Dr. Riek Machar is a South Sudanese leader despite his human shortcomings.To err is human and God alone is perfect.In my opinion some of our brothers who wrongly think that they are doing good to the Dr.by praising him are causing him harm by so doing. Dr. machar needs no polishing from anybody, Abraham included, beacuse his( Machar) services to the nation speak volumes.His apology at the said ocassion is a crown on the South sudan reconcilation pursuits in place.
Mr. Abraham, you are one of good opinion writers that are trying to shape for the South Sudan a better future. It is not difficult to detect your true patriotic feelings to the Nation in your writings.But your problem as a journalist is lack of objectivity. To be a good writer you have to unclothe yourself from subjectivity.See how you have spoiled this article with that subjective lines!!
Mach Achiek
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Isaiah Abraham,
I don’t have much to advice you, but you need to know that Politics is not about just saying; I am sorry and forgive me, unless you live in your own dream World. A well intended crimes under the full instructions of Dr. Riek should not be left unattended.
What happened in Bor was not a tragedy as you put it, but was rather a well devised policies of the Nasir faction they believed when implemented to it fullest; will force Dr. Garang to abandon the leadership of the SPLM/A in exchange of his people safety.
If you are from Riek’s camp, just work it out how he would escape this serious crime. DON’T PUSH US TO FORGIVE HIM PLEASE.
Kuith Dak
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Mr. Abraham,
Take pride in your African and let us know who the hell drives you.
I want to observe few things that you should know about the 1991 split or the Nassir faction. first, it was driven by power lust and nothing else, the architect was Lam Akol not Machar.
Machar accepted in a BBC interview that he had lost command of the tribal army that was least complaint wiz military orders and hence the massacre. thought too late!!
The Machar of Today is not desperate for arab-styled cronies in you, he has learned alot from the past. so dont go around painting him us the mighty one, you will not pick any drops from his spoon any sooner.
Machar, if indeed he apologised, then i think it inappropriate at such a function only attended by the few elites who might have forced him into apology, which makes it not genuine and does not address the rightfully aggrieved. he should still go ahead and seek engagement wiz the community at a wider level and leave the corrupt desperate juba leaders alone.
Machar has a mountain to climb in a dinka bor constituency, but his acceptance of wrongs will set him free.
What is grossly wrong is the way, Abraham tries to present Machar, plse get your dirty hands off him and let him continue wiz reconciliation if he is genuine about it.
Prove that you are not a mere spoiler.
Michael Angelo
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
Dear Readers,
I preferred not to comment at first on this stupid and useless article, but when I read all the comments, I was extremely impress how most folks condemned Mr.Isaiah Abraham’s article. In fact, I always admired Mr. Isaiah Abraham’s articles, but this one is the worst article that I have ever read from him. I cannot believe the man we always admired and regarded as the best writer turned out to be a chameleon and a traitor who wrongly advised Dr. Riak to committed such a horrible crime that against humanity.
As far as human dignity is concerned, Mr. Isaiah should have shown a little sympathy to those who have lost their love ones in that mysterious and heinous acts carried out by Dr. Riak Machar’s forces. In other words, Mr. Isaiah should have written article that will soothe the wounds instead of article that will intensified the problem into a degree that will affect Dr. Riak both physically and politically in the long run.
As we always know that it’s a human natural to err, so Dr. Riak Machar’s apology is welcome, but he must not let himself to be mislead-ed next time by those uneducated and tribalists folks of his, whose their ambition is to exterminated Dinka populations especially Dinka Bor community simply because Dr. Garang run the Movement (SPLM/SPLA) like his Organization or property. In addition, Dr. Riak should have also calculated what the outcome gonna be before ordered those merciless Nuer forces to kill innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the way Dr. John Garang run the movement.
A.T.M.P
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
to forgive Machar is going to cause other disaster in Jongulei becuase I’m sure my dad Living legend told me the truth exactly Nuer were looking for in 1991 disater to Bor.He told me that nuer people were looking for livestocks and kidnapped children.that exactly happened bt because we have lost much many thousand of people in 1991 disaster for no reason bt today we have got our nation back from Arab..as we are from Dinka Bor.Big question to Mr.Riek Machar, the betrayer of the all time is WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF DISASTER IN 1991???? locky him to be still in politic.after he answer this question n then forgiveness will come..by [email protected] that is my email
A.T.M.P
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
sound terrible to me when i heard people talking about 1991 disaster and Riek machar still in the politic of South Sudan because there is noway Riek should be still in the politic by now.He is an idiot and betrayer of the all time.don’t think Riek machar should be for give because no one is happy about his stupid disaster he did in 20 years ago..i’m sure every family in Jongulei State especially dinka Bor famillie they had effect during 1991 disater that mean even MPs of jongulei in the parliament are quiet happy with him..there is noway Machar should be forgive..that why he is endangered in the parliament of southern Sudan right now.He have chance to a minister bt not further than that..there is no opportunity to become president of Southern Sudan..I’m man of my word if Riek Machar become president of South Sudan i will change passport to Australia passport n be Australian citizen
AdierCien
Machar move on the 1991 Bor Tragedy is patriotic
In The Name Of The Trinity God Amen
I would have not comment, someone inspired me his words absolutly all that he said. John William above unlike Isaiah Abraham, the true Jews.
The article sound genuine in fact no one immune from making a mistake but few make crimes.
When someone said sorry! I did it wrongfully unknowingly please forgive me performing it directly to the victims. He should be forgiven but you can not apologize at the back and claims the submission of apology.
The owner of this article is misleading the big man by putting him above Imitong mountain saying he is there whether you hate it or like it.
What kind of talk is that? Even big man will question you I know in my heart.
Mistake is human being but you can’t laugh at victims saying it is tragedy patriotic!
His people kills and abducts young one, killed children who talk in Warrap. Drives away large number of cattle and killed any live they come across. Is that a patriotic? Any way, you make your day.
God the Father of all forgives our sins.