South Sudan lawmakers probe tribal violence in E. Equatoria
By Isaac Vuni
May 30, 2007 (JUBA) — Southern Sudan parliament has set up a panel to probe the killing of 53 people in tribal violence near the border with Kenya. The legislators also urged disarming of gunmen in order to reduce intra-tribal violence.
The Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) after discussing the killing of civilians at Nauro- Kapoeta in South of Eastern Equatoria State the whole afternoon yesterday, today, recommended for immediate Disarmament of people carrying guns in the affected areas and set up ten men specialized committee of security and Public Order to investigate and render report to the legislators body within three weeks.
Those who died were cultivating crops on May 5 when they were attacked and shot dead by members of a neighbouring tribe. Of the dead, 48 were women and children.
The investigative team is headed by Hon. Deng Arop Kuol with membership of Hon. Gen. Ayoub Philip Gaza, Hon, Gen, Peter Longole Kuam, Hon. Maker Deng Malou, Hon. Benjamin Bolek Agakic, Hon. Andrew Machiek Allajabo, Hon. George Echom, Hon. Bol Gatkouth, Hon. George Kel and Hon. Nicodemo Kuol Mayen.
The Legislators decision came as result of motion raised by MP David Nailo Mayo, representative of Budi county in the southern Sudan Legislative Assembly who raised a motion on the Massacre of civilians at Nauro payam of Budi county of Kapoeta South of eastern equatorial state on May 21 2007, where Topsa of Namorunyang and Bunio villages have massacred in cool blood 53 Didinga while cultivating in their field.
The specialized Assembly Committee of Security and Public Order has also received from GoSS minister of interior report on the massacred of May 5, 2007 at about 1.00pm, by Toposa from Namorunya lwho are said to have deliberately attack Didinga people at Nauro payam most of whom are women who had finished their communal cultivation and where waiting to be served with food, then suddenly they were attacked by Toposa gunmen who shot at them using 12.7 machine gun, PKM, RPG, 60 mm Mortar and AKM rifle that left a total of 53 people dead and 11 wounded.
However there was a conflicting report from police officer in charge of Kapoeta to police headquarters in Torit, that there were only 36 people killed at Nauro payam of Kapoeta South county of Eastern Equatoria state on May 2007 by people strongly believe to be Toposa. While MP Tulio Odongi does not want media to report about the incident, claiming that it’s the affair of the MPs of Eastern Equatoria state alone.
But when police team went to incident site said they found 48 graves, five bodies lying unburied, 11 wounded are being treated in the village, one girl child was abducted by the attackers, 300 cattle and 400 goats were taken by the attackers including cultivation implements.
The report further indicated that Governor of Eastern Equatoia state was un able to brief the First Vide President of the Republic and President of the Government of Southern Sudan on the incident while attending passing out of SPLA Officers on May 10th 2007 at New Site in the same Kapoeta South County.
According to Hillary Taban Lomine, Project manager of Adventist Development and Relief Agency at Chukudum, said that out of 48 women killed, six were pregnant and while 7 children, and age 1-4 years were found along side bodies of their mothers and collected by Commissioner of Budi County, Mr. Oreste Lopara.
Lomine said the condition of the children are very bad and requires proper care hence he appeal to people of good will come to aid of the commissioner of Budi County for possible assistance to the children and he commissioner could be reach through satellite phone + 8821643332479, revealed Mr. Lomine.
Because of he incident an estimated 2500 people are living in great fears and left their home for safety in Chukudum town. “As I talk to you, relief assistance has not yet reach the affected people’, says Lomine.
According to Fr. George Kinga Longoko, Advisor to GoSS President on Religious affairs, the Toposa and Diding has an old feud dating back to 1980s when Chief Louis Lokipapa wanted to marry the daughter of Chief Dario and took some cattle to settle the dowry but the group of Diding youth came at night and killed all the in-laws of chief Dario whose daughter is the current speaker of the assembly. The same story was confirmed by MP Mark Lokitoei Lokuta and MP Lais Ohisa.
The lawmakers said the current massacre could have been avoided if the politicians from the two communities, Toposa and Didinga agree to sit-down and talk over how to refrain their grassroots communities from revenge and counter revenge.
The legislators further attributed May 5 2007 killing of Diding to Governor Aloisio Ojetuk”s poor administration as main cause of killing innocent mothers and children. Adding that the Didina people had expected Paul Napony Yoani, former Deputy Governor and Minister of Education and Secretary of National Congress Party in Eastern Equatoria state who was later captured by SPLA during Kapoeta fight, to become the speaker and Sabina Dario his Deputy as per their secrete agreement held in the house of the Deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state.
The law makers welcome formation of committee but that all MPs of Eastern Equatoria should fully participate in finding quick solutions to unnecessary killing.
In November 2006, the First Vice President of the Republic and President of the government of southern Sudan set up a committee of five person to investigate impeachment of Governor Alosio Emor Ojetuk by Parliamentarians of Eastern Equatoria State and were given the same three weeks to report back but the president never implemented the recommendation of the committee to the present while the innocent people of the state continues to die simply because of the interest of some politicians who wants to remains in power despite their rejection by majority of the people of Eastern Equatoria State.
Similarly Government of southern Sudan Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had similar problems of nepotism recruitment and promotions that has greatly affected performances of media because those heading position are relatives of either minister, or Director Generals; a parliamentarian and technical committee was formed to investigated and came out with recommendations are also never implemented today by the minister concern.
Surely, today in southern Sudan, if leaders free themselves from problem, the only best way is to hand such crucial issue to a committee whose recommendations are never implemented by the delegating authority.
(ST)