Away from politics, a moment you don’t need to miss!!

By Daniel Abushery Daniel (USA)

“Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes and sits softly on your shoulder”. Said by Henry David Thoreau

March 26, 2012 — If you’ve ever experienced in any of your school’s life that one of your parents, an uncle or an old cousin being your teacher, I have been in your shoes. To me, it was a living hell and a nightmare you don’t want to go through. At some point, I thought to myself that the experience was not a pleasant period of time to remember. But years later, I realised the importance of learning from our old folks. I soon found out that it was enjoyable and fruitful for our future.

Here’s why I first thoughts being a parent’s student was brutal:

In the class room, one had to make sure that you will be the first student to answer or solve any problem of any question in math. More so, you have to make certain that you attend each and every lesson he/she teaches during the academic year, in addition to the fact of the matter that you are, in truth, a student for all seasons. I remember thinking that the worst thing my father ever did was when he compelled me to take Islamic lessons! But then when I asked him why? His answer was; “you will know the answer later.”

Yes, my daddy was absolutely right. Now, as it turned out, the Arabic language became my secondary language in which I’m quite fluent than any other languages including my mother tongue. Even though my name adds a different flavour to my complain, which is another ball park.

Our old folks were in the right side of the law to teach us to shy away from fights, if some bullies want to take it out side. They sincerely believed that it’s not good to be known as a bully or an annoying child among your peers, you will have less friends. For example in America; the parents usually teach their kids to walk away from fight in the schools or just report it to the authorities. Violating those simple rules comes with a huge consequence and price to pay at the end of the day.

Coming to current disarmament in Jonglei State:

Now, please allow me to shift gears to the dire security turmoil in one of the dear parts of the body of our country- Jonglie State. As I had mentioned it several times in my previous articles about the disarmament process that was carried out by the government of old Sudan in the wake of Addis- Ababa agreement in 1972, between the Anya nya one (gorilla fighters) and the Sudan arms forces (SAF), which took place (the disarments) in Dinka, Nuer, and Murle communities in the same region. The process was let by two notorious officers, who later became members and the founding fathers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). Those officers were: comrades Karbino K. Bol and William N. Bany respectively. It’s important to note that the disarmament went on smoothly, and no community that took it upon itself to suggest that the government had targeted them over other communities. It was comprehensive, and for security purposes only.

Here to the point: my humble advice to all communities in Jonglei State, and any community involved to be calm, cooperative, and allow the process to move forward smoothly. As citizens, we have a responsibility to uphold the law of the land, and the directive orders of the President, Salva Kiir Mayardit and his Chief of staff of our Army 1st Lt. General James Hoth. It’s in best interest of the country that arms are only in the hands of law enforcement agencies not individual civilians.

Again, let us make a conscious effort to the call of vice president Dr. Riek Machar two weeks ago to the Lou Nuer, Murle, and on all citizens of Jonglei State to submit and turn in their guns to the authorities without resistance. I hope that call should be respected as well, because the people need to live in a secure environment for the much needed development to happen all across the state.

At this juncture, how could I forget to thank the state’s Governor, comrade; Koul Manyang Juuk, for his commitment to the cause, and for being a role model in becoming the first citizen to obey the disarmaments orders by giving up his riffles.

Let’s obey our fathers, our representatives, and our leaders of today, and above all, our government.

You don’t need to fight to proof that you are a man.

This is my perspective.

The author is a concerned citizen of South Sudan, living in USA, and can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]