What about a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” for the South

By Mading Ngor Akec Kuai

Feb 12, 2006 — On around August 20th, 1991, Bor witnessed an attack from
the Nuer, under Riek Machar’s Nassir Movement. I was only a boy, an
innocent cattle keeper. It was a gloomy day; the cattle just arrived from
grazing. I heard a gun shot, “tarau-tarau”, and I ran and fled the cattle
camp. I hid in the bushes along with many others. In front of me I could
see cows and many bodies lying dead. I heard guns firing from countless
directions, cows falling and people rushing. I took to the forest, but was
stung three times in the head by a bee. I wanted to run, to stop and
scream but would have been a betrayal to the whole community, so I cried
on the inside. I was thoroughly stuck like a cow in the mud.

During that moment of time, I assured myself not to overlook such a
tragedy, yet not to let even sleep cross my eyes. My face was grim, I knew
no happiness during those days. My heart was filled with grief, hatred and
the thoughts of retaliation crept in my mind. To me it was like a
nightmare because it was too agonizing and horrifying to be real, it was a
fatal reality.

In short, our complete lifestyle was transformed forever and will never be
the same again because of that tragic event. Why were we attacked, what
threat did we weigh against the Nuer? How did it happened, why did it
happened? I only seek to understand and I am hoping that Dr. Riek will
answer those questions in a tribunal.

To establish a just system in our country that is both free from prejudice
and is fully democratic, the likes of Riek Machar should be cleared off
the table of the governmental posts. I do not know Dr. Machar in person;
he must be a good guy in his own sense. To others he is an idol. I believe
that he is not my leader, the kind of chief that would mass out his own
neighbors? I love to forgive but I can’t, it is difficult. Even when I am
in a position to delete past memories which childhood has copied, it is
impossible. Especially if Dr. Riek keeps praising his actions, by
referring to the genocide as a decent “Nassir Move.” No.

The SPLA is a Movement which throughout it history has received an
overwhelming support from Bor, the very people it had sort of let down by
hosting and giving their murderer asylum. It seems that the war is over,
my father, uncles, cousins, relatives and all the sons of Bor and others
are gone with the struggle, is justice attained? It is logical to say that
Sudan is for all Sudanese, or is it? But what does it really mean to be
citizen of a country that employs murderers and human rights abusers? I am
tired of war and would do anything to prevent it by all costs; however, I
look for justice and peaceful resolution of all conflicts and frictions
within us.

Indeed, we have various differences, though we need to capitalize on our
similarities. However, demanding justice should not violate our national
cohesion; rather it should enrich it. We live in a kind of country that is
divided over ethnic lines; I am not one of those dividers. That is one of
the most fundamental issues I share with the Sudanese People’s Liberation
Army/Movement, a democratic Sudan similar to the New South Africa, a
country that unites and cares for its people. If everyone in the vast
country was a Dinka – thank God they’re not – because it would be boring
since they aren’t the only fishes in the river. I esteem Sudan for its
striking diversity and unique ethnic mosaic.

I am aware that most of my people contributed in liberating the country
which is a common property for all the tribes and nations in the country.
I love the Nuer people, I forgave them and I want them heed my concerns
and am open to theirs. Moreover, the cause is over and Riek should be
brought to justice or “justice to him” (Bush). Forget shall I not, the day
when the sons and daughters fell by the hands of their neighbors. I must
recall it because the danger lies not in remembering but in forgetting :).

* Mading Ngor Akec Kuai is the editor of the newly established
http://www.newsudanvision.com/