Didinga Community: killing of 54 civilians by Toposa is political
‘- The Didinga Community– BUDI County,
– Southern Sudan
– Date: 16th June 2007
Letter to:
– H.E Brigadier General
Aloisio Emor Ojetuk,
Governor, Eastern Equatoria State
Subject: Massacre of 54 innocent civilians by Toposa at Ngauro
Your Excellency, we would like to bring to the notice of the Eastern Equatoria State Government, Government of South Sudan and indeed the entire people of Sudan that BUDI Community still mourns the recent massacre of 54 innocent civilians at Ngauro Payam- BUDI County on 5/May/2007.
The People of BUDI County are peace loving people and it will always advocate for peaceful coexistence with its neighbours including the Toposa.
We would also like to thank all those who have sent their condolences at the time of the massacre and continue to be in solidarity with the people of BUDI County while it is slowly trying to come to terms with the May 2007 massacre.
We thank the Eastern Equatoria State Government (EESG) and the Government of South Sudan (GOSS), for sending soldiers to restore calm in Ngauro Payam. We also thank the World Food Programme (WFP) for delivering emergency food assistance to the affected people of Ngauro Payam.
Your Excellency; the Didinga Community met in Chukudum on 16/June/2007 to reflect, review and react on the Massacre of 54 persons, which included 48 women, 8 of whom 6 were pregnant. (see attached list)
The Didinga people acknowledged the concern shown by the state towards the people of BUDI County and particularly towards those who were recently affected by the massacre of innocent civilians and the traumatized community in Ngauro Payam.
However, there is still a very urgent call for immediate action to be taken especially after the following reports:
The report put forward by H.E the commissioner of BUDI County, dated 6/May/2007; the appeal letter of BUDI Community from Khartoum and Northern Sudan dated (15/May/2007), the recommendation of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) bill passed on the 21/05/2007, the Security report dated 12/May/2006, the UNIMIS assessment report and the UN WFP Assessment Mission Report dated 28/May/2007.
Your Excellency, all the above appeals reports have given clues to the root causes of the problem of insecurity in Ngauro Payam. Urgent action to the above mentioned issues must be addressed in order to avoid further escalation of conflict between the neighbouring Toposa and Didinga communities.
The Ngauro massacre is a total violation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and hence, requires speedy action by the EES Government.
We would also like to inform the State Government that after Ngauro massacre, neighbouring Toposa warriors carried out additional attacks of similar nature at Ngatuba village on 9/May/2007 and at Hibongorok on 11/May/2007. Five people were killed in those attacks.
The triple attacks in a row cannot under any circumstances be attributed to traditional cattle rustling that have existed between the Didinga and the neighbouring Toposa for many years. It should also be stated that after the CPA, many Didinga young men have enrolled into the SPLA army, and organized forces more than their counterparts the Toposa. And since one of the conditions was that every SPLA soldier must come with his/her gun, the Didinga soldiers went with their guns into the SPLA army thus, the Didinga community was technically disarmed, shifting the balance of power in favour of the Toposa.
No community in South Sudan should be allowed to take advantage of government disarmament efforts which is meant to improve security of the civilians and the rule of law.
When one community owns heavy weaponry and uses it to brutalize another, the implication is that the aggressor community is saying the government has no control over security and it can act anytime with impunity.
With that, BUDI Community strongly believes Ngauro massacre is a politically motivated incidence and must be critically investigated. Information gathered from eye witnesses indicate that the Ngauro attackers appear to be well trained persons and especially in the use of heavy machine guns that were used for massacring civilians at Ngauro. Besides, the cartridges collected after the attack were brand new and it is difficult to comprehend where did the attackers get new supplies of ammunitions from?
Beyond any shadow of doubt, Ngauro massacre has been planned and coordinated. On 19 /March/2007, international investors who were travelling to Ngauro were stopped by Toposa warriors who have barricaded Kapoeta-Ngauro road for more than two hours. During the two-hour ordeal, the Toposa told their hostages that, ” There will be no cultivation for the Didinga at Ngauro in 2007. Therefore, there is no doubt Ngauro massacre took place two months later. The international investors were accompanied by officials from GOSS, the Commissioners of BUDI And Kapoeta South Counties, two members of Parliament, a Catholic priest and a medical officer when they were blocked at Tahaninyang river.
The BUDI County Community would also want to inform the EES Government that till recently, a 12.7 anti-aircraft machine gun was stationed at Tahaninyang Hills where the Toposa kraals are located. It was this very machine gun that was used for massacre at Ngauro.
The BUDI County Community analysed Ngauro incident, and has identified two key issues as some of the core causes of conflict hat has been going on between the two communities of Didinga and the neighbouring Toposa, and leading to the recent Ngauro massacre.
These issues are:
1. The border issue; some leaders from Kapoeta South County have been deliberately giving false information to Toposa warriors regarding the borders lines between the two communities and even to the point of telling them that all plains surrounding Didinga hills from Hibongorok, Ngauro, Ngatuba, Lorus, and Himaan belong to Toposa; and the Didinga only own the hills. This is a blatant lie as we know. It is important for each County to know the size of its and limits of its territory as this is essential for administration purposes and development plans, and knowledge of actual County population.
2. Resources like gold and cement that are believed to be in Ngauro Payam and grazing land and water points that are available in other areas of BUDI County.
As resources contribute to the conflict in Ngauro Payam, BUDI County Community is asking the Eastern Equatoria State Government to give immediate directives to any prospective investor to treat BUDI County exploration of whatever resource separately. Until now one of the Companies has been carrying out feasibility studies for possible future mineral exploration under the name of Greater Kapoeta and this has become a factor in Ngauro conflict and massacre.
Following the above concerns, the community have come up with some resolutions to be implemented in order to allow peaceful co-existence between the neighbouring Toposa community and the Didinga community:
Detailed latest updated information on Ngauro Massacre
1. Total Number of persons killed 54
48 women
6 men
2. Total number injured 11
3 babies
4 women
4 men
Abduction
12-year old girl abducted
Animals stolen
400 head of cows
400 goats
All Agricultural tools stolen from the fields
Resolutions:
1. Immediate disarmament of Toposa warriors and specially the following heavy weapons that were recently used at Ngauro massacre:
– 12.7 anti-aircraft machine guns
– PKM machine guns
– Rocket propel grenade (RPG) launchers
– 60 mm Millimetres mortars
– 80mm millimetres mortars
– communication equipment like Satellite Phones use to coordinate attacks and ambushes especially, the two incidences of road barricade on Kapoeta-Ngauro road.
2. Ngauro massacre is a politically instigated killing and not a traditional cattle rustling.
3. The Ngauro Massacre culprits must be investigated and brought to face justice and compensate all victims, the dead, the wounded and the orphans
4. Borders as indicated in the original maps (1927-1956) established by colonial government be respected.
5. Toposa animals will only be allowed into BUDI territory through consultation with village leaders and BUDI County permission. From the effect of this resolution, any intrusion of Toposa animals into BUDI territory is illegal.
6. The road linking Chukudum and Ngauro through Nahichod should be constructed and supported by the Government and other NGOs to aid people of Ngauro Payam especially at this emergency time.
7. The Toposa cattle keepers must withdraw their animals from the following BUDI County territories:
– Himan (New Cush)
– Kakuratom (New Site)
– Loruth (Natinga)
– Ngauro (Lauro)
– Lotholia plains
– Ngatuba
8. We are hereby informing the EES Government and GOSS again that the areas below belong to BUDI County and therefore, the County rightly demands the take over of their administration before the coming census:
i. Loruth,(Natinga)
ii. Kakuratom, (New Site)
iii. Himaan (New Cush)
The above locations must also retain their original names in all official files
9. Provision of social services such as schools, health units and feeding centres to support the orphans to the people of Ngauro and Loudo Payams.
10. Effective army and organised forces posts must be established at Ngauro
11. Leaders from Kapoeta south and Kapoeta East counties must not carry out any activity in BUDI County or territory without the prior notice and consent of BUDI County authorities.
12. The use of generic name “Greater Kapoeta” whenever used should be understood to refer to the three counties of Kapoeta East, Kapoeta North and Kapoeta South Counties; NOT BUDI County. This is because we have learned with great concern that the name “Greater Kapoeta” has been used for manipulation and misinformation to the detriment of BUDI County.
13. We are informing the Eastern Equatoria State Government, the Government of South Sudan(GOSS )and NGOs that Ngauro Payam belongs to BUDI County and NOT KAPOETA SOUTH COUNTY as stated in some documents and media.
14. Kapoeta – Ngauro road must be made safe and accessible anytime for all travellers.
Recommendations
1. Eastern Equatoria State Government to act now on the above resolutions.
2. The Eastern Equatoria State Government should prevent another impending conflict as the Toposa are relocating to other BUDI areas especially Ngatuba, and Lotukei thus, opening another front of conflict.
The reports put forward by H.E the commissioner of BUDI County, dated 5/May/2007; the appeal letter of BUDI Community from Khartoum and Northern Sudan dated (15/May/2007); the Security report dated 12/May/2006;
The recommendation of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) bill passed on the 21/05/2007; the UNIMIS assessment report and the UN WFP Assessment Mission Report dated 28/May/2007.
Your Excellency, all the above appeals report has given a clue to the core root causes of the problem of insecurity in Ngauro Payam. Urgent action of the above mentioned issues must be immediately addressed in order to avoid further escalation of conflict between the neighbouring Toposa and Didinga communities.
List of persons who perished at Ngauro Massacre:
S/No Name Village Sex remarks
1 Loyioro Longorien Lorok female Dead
2 Rebecca Arupanyahono Lorok female dead
3 Lucia Lochiam Tala female Dead
4 Natopethihono Adone Tala Female Dead
5 Natedeny Lomong Tala female Dead
6 Kamisa Lomong Tala female Dead
7 Nakija Lokiru Tala Male Dead
8 Lokonyeny Nakileto Tala Male Dead
9 Lomen Lobok Tala Male Dead
10 * Namoi Lobeimoi ( 4-year child ) Tala female Dead
11 Mamur Lotiman Tala Male Dead
12 Agnes Malangole Tala female Dead
13 Laurethia Lino Tala female Dead
14 Lucia Peter Tala female Dead
15 Teresa Kolombo Tala female Dead
16 Regina Lodeny Tala female Dead
17 Nacaur Lolima Tala female Dead
18 Maria Matheo Tala female Dead
19 Nakicha Loboho Tala female Dead
20 Lonyume Apolon Tala female Dead
21 Nangirang Beda Tala Female Dead
22 Pia Localamoi Tala female Dead
23 Agnes Aturo Tala female Dead
24 Nanyia Alukono Tala female Dead
25 Nyemuget Lomen Tala female Dead
26 Ngalomutehono Kilibahono Tala female Dead
27 Napauda Dario Tala female Dead
28 Aponi Lommaloka Vetero Tala female Dead
29 Napeta Topethigira Tala Female Dead
30 Natiki Dominic Tala female Dead
31 Cheche Napilil Tala Female Dead
32 Sesila Vallerio Tala Female Dead
33 Nahilela Mamur Tala Female Dead
34 Lopio Lokonoi Tala male Dead
35 Nating Ikio Tala Female Dead
36 Lomenoc Lokodo Tala Male Dead
37 Lokorio Longahari Tala Female Dead
38 Adanyet Aberith Tala Female Dead
39 Natima Lorika Tala Female Dead
40 Oture Lotome Tala Female Dead
41 Nangada Alberto Tala Female Dead
42 Lohothira Nakoribo Tala Female Dead
43 Irene Mario Tala Female Dead
44 Rotha Napeta Tala female Dead
45 Margaret Nakure Tala female Dead
46 Madalena Natukoi Tala Female Dead
47 Paulina Akii Tala Female Dead
48 Rotha Napeta Tala female Dead
Pregnant Women Killed
1 Maria Lonyarimoi Tala female Dead
2 *Muron Odongo Tala female Dead
3 Namongin Amarhono Tala female Dead
4 Lobeleluka Tala female Dead
5 Narikan Saut Tala female Dead
6 Namiro Dario (pregnant with twins) Tala female Dead
WOUNDED
1 Lokodo Lohochir Tala Male
2 Nanyia Lomen Tala Female
3 Elena Apurahori Tala Female
4 Apule Nakuta Tala Female
5 Nangirang Peda Tala male
6 Peter Lokuta Tala Male
7 Paulo Longoro Tala Male
8 3 babies Tala –
9 Lucia Narika Tala female
ABDUCTED
1 Ikajong Peter Tala Female
Grand Total Killed 54
Total wounded 11
Abducted 1
ATTENDANCE
S/No. Name Position/Title Payam Sign
1. H.E. Oreste Lopara Simon Commissioner Homiri
2. Mr. Victor Nawi A Chairman DC Homiri
3. Mr. Augustino Victor Lokong Secretary DC Loudo
4. Mr. Lino Atyol Moi B/C Judge Homiri
5. Mr. Agabitto Lorot Sub-Chief Lotukei
6. Mr. Paulo Lotiki Agric Officer Betalado
7. Mr. Agustino Alex Loudo Chief Loudo
8. Mr. Leone Lomoli Monita Chief Homiri
9. Mr. Anthony Naminibok Thuguro Chief Nahichod
10. Fr. Nicola N. Mauro Iko Priest Franciscan M. Loudo
11. Mr. Ben Kadengo Payam Admin Lotukei
12 Augustino Loki Catechists Lotukei
13 Michael Loyara Catechists Lotukei
14 Arkangelo Loki Lodeny Boma chairman Lotukei
15 Dario Millamoi Nayopa D/Boma Chairman Lotukei
16 Rapicio Lokuryang C/representative Nahichod
17 Arkangelo Longoleris C/ representative Nahichod
18 Michael Lohinei C/ representative Loudo
19 Karlina Virgilio Naoya C/representative NBI Nahichod
20 Lokure Joseph Bamboy Boma Secretary Lotukei
21 Cecilia Peter Akos C/representative Ngauro
22 Catherine Itiang mathia S/ nurse Nahichod
23 Veronica Achii Biato S/inspector Homiri
24 Lino Lokure Chamuka Health worker Lotukei
25 Dario longeya Chief of Nahichod Nahichod
26 Peter Bosco Lotyang C/representative Homiri
27 Joseph Nataba Payam Admin Nahichod
28 Fr. Arakangelo Lokoro Priest CDOT Lotukei
29 Fr. Lounoi Santino Priest CDOT Homiri
30 Fr. Maurice Loguti Priest CDOT Homiri
31 Peter L. A C/representative Ngauro
32 Alfred Lothia Youth Chairperson Lotukei
33 Paul Lonyia County Physical Infra. Loudo
CC: GOSS
CC: SSLA
CC: GONU
CC: Commissioners Kapoeta South, West and East Counties
CC: Commissioner BUDI County
CC: Commissioner of Police EES
CC: EES Legislative Assembly