South Sudan Govt urged to fight against insecurity in Jonglei State
Citizens of Jonglei State
From: Citizens of Jonglei State
To: His Excellency 1st Gen.Salva Kiir Mayardit, 1st Vice President of the Republic of Sudan, President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Commander-in- Chief of the SPLA
– CC: Jonglei State Governor Mr. Philip Thon Leek
– CC: Members of Jonglei State Assembly
– CC: Members of Jonglei State in South Sudan Legislative Assembly
– CC: Members of Jonglei State in Sudan National Assembly
Dear Mr. President Salva Kiir Mayardit,
Subject: Petition to Stop Insecurity in Jonglei State
We, the citizens of Jonglei State are kindly writing to bring your attention to a terror in which Jonglei State Citizens have been subjected to at the time of peace.
Mr. President, we are very saddened by the abductions of children and killing of innocent civilians in our homeland by Murle militia. It’s saddening to mention that after the disarmament of communities of Akobo, Bor, and Pachalla, Southern Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (SSDDRC) announced that it had suspended disarmament in Jonglei State, leaving Murle with dangerous weapons. Since that point in time, attacks against the people of Akobo, Bor and Pachalla have been increasing drastically without action being taken by both the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) and Jonglei State Government.
Mr. President, it is disheartening to see our people languishing in insecurity despite the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. Many people have been killed and more than four hundred and fifty children have been abducted from their families from 2006 to October 2007. In Bor County alone, an estimate of five thousand heads of cattle has been stolen by Murle militia. We urge Your Excellency to take action to bring an end to these killings of innocent civilians because there is no reason why they should still be terrorized, killed, and confined to their villages during the peacetime.
Mr. President, insecurity in Akobo, Bor, and Pachalla will greatly affect the security of Southern Sudan because a pain in one part of the body is felt by the whole body. We urge your Excellency to urgently address this issue of Murle Militia before it escalates into a full scale war between the communities. Jonglei citizens are peace loving people and believe in a peaceful resolution of conflict and it is in this spirit that we ask Your Excellency to end this problem peacefully before the victimized communities decide to revenge.
Mr. President, we would like also to bring your attention to the insecurity on the Bor-Juba Highway in which many people have been losing their lives through ambushing by unknown gunsmen.
Mr. President, it is also worth your attention that insecurity has blocked development in Jonglei. Most importantly, it has kept IDPs away from coming back to their original homes. It’s worth your knowledge that Jonglei IDPs are facing lot of problems, many of whom are seen as occupants by their hosts. We urge Your Excellency to urgently bring security to the State and facilitate the return of IDPs back to our state. This will prevent potential bloodshed between the hosts and the IDPs.
Mr. President, we kindly request you to take the following actions to bring an end to these rampant problems facing the people of Jonglei State:
· Immediate deployment of SPLA forces between Murle border and the victim communities of Anyuak, Dinka and Nuer to prevent immediate future attacks.
· Immediate disarmament of Murle Militia.
· Immediate disarmament of all the communities in Jonglei and neighboring states.
· Immediate sending of delegation composed of Murle Members of Parliament to peacefully negotiate the return of all the abducted children to their families as well as peaceful return of the looted cattle to their owners.
· Immediate evaluation of the performance of Governor Philip Thon Leek and his government
· Immediate replacement of the Members of Parliament from Pibor if they fail to convince their people to return abducted children and looted cattle.
· Immediate enactment of law that can make cattle raiding and abduction of children crime punishable by death.
· Immediate provision of Jonglei State Government with Helicopter to track down and arrest cattle raiders and child abductors and bring them to face law.
· Immediate deployment of SPLA troops along the Bor-Juba High to stop insecurity caused by unknown gunsmen there.
· After ensuring security, give immediate priority for the return of IDPs from Jonglei because they are seen as invaders and occupants by host communities especially in the region of Equatoria. We urge you to do that to prevent potential bloodshed between the hosts and the IDPs.
· Immediate setting of a high level committee to facilitate the return of IDPs to Jonglei
· Immediate provision of facilities for the IDPS to return
Mr. President, by presenting this petition to you, we are not only fulfilling our moral duty and obligation in the best tradition of democracy but we are also fulfilling the vision of your government for a peaceful and secured communities where development can flourish. We kindly rest our case in front of you hoping for the best from you.
Sincerely Yours,
Jonglei State Citizens against Insecurity
1. Abacha Maluk Deng
2. Abiel Kon
3. Abiel Abil
4. Abraham Chol
5. Abraham Kuany
6. Abraham Mach
7. Achiek Manyok
8. Adol Makuei
9. Aduei A. Riak
10. Agot Deng
11. Aguet Kuany
12. Ajah Dau
13. Ajak Mabior
14. Ajang Aguer
15. Ajok Deng
16. Akech Kuol Mawan
17. Akuei Garang
18. AKuien Awour
19. Alakiir Diing
20. Anderia Lual
21. Anyar Ngang Alith
22. Anyuat Kur
23. Atem Deng
24. Athieng Riak
25. Athou Lam
26. Ayen Nhial
27. Ayok Monydit
28. Ayual Mayom
29. Ayuen Buol
30. Ayuen Deng Ador
31. Bior Keech
32. Bior Kuer Bior
33. Bol Akuoc
34. Bul Nyuop
35. Cham A. Agatda
36. Chol Agot
37. Chol Kelei
38. Chol Majok
39. Chol Mayen
40. Chol Mayom
41. Daniel Mayen
42. David Maluak
43. David Mathiang
44. David Nhial
45. Debora Makuei
46. Deng Ajak
47. Deng Ayach Adit
48. Deng Moses Gatwech
49. Deng Tong
50. Deng Yiech Bachech
51. Dor Akech
52. Dut Marhu
53. Elizabeth Kuch
54. Francis Chagai Bol
55. Gabriel Ayom
56. Gabriel Chol
57. Gai Ajuoi
58. Garang Ajak
59. Gordon Gatbany Chuol
60. Jacob Bul
61. Jacob Dau
62. Jacob Gai
63. Jacob Lual
64. James Ayuen
65. James Machar
66. John A. Manyang
67. John Ayuen Deng
68. John Chol
69. John Chuang
70. John Deng
71. John Garang
72. John Jok Nhial
73. John Nyuon
74. John Riak
75. Johnson Alier
76. Johnson Okello
77. Jok Dau
78. Kongor Akoi Garang
79. Kou Ayuen
80. Kuir Jibol
81. Kuol Garang
82. Lual Guet
83. Mabior Buol
84. Mabior Thuch
85. Mading Ngor Akec Kwai
86. Majeep Kou
87. Majok Kunjok
88. Majur Makor
89. Makeer Agoot
90. Malueeth Mapior
91. Mamer Garang
92. Mangok Mach
93. Manyok Gak
94. Margaret Awek
95. Mary Kuai
96. Mawut Deng
97. Mawut Guarak
98. Mawut Mayen
99. Mayak Machar
100. Michael Kuir
101. Moses Deng
102. Ngor Deng
103. Nhial Bol
104. Nhial Tiitmamer
105. Nyanjok Lam
106. Paul Deng
107. Peter Chuol Kuany
108. Peter Kuol
109. Peter Makuach
110. Peter Manyok
111. Peter Reat Gatkuoth
112. Philip Dut
113. Reuben Panchol
114. Riak Aquila
115. Samuel Leek
116. Simon Umot Ukuak
117. Solomon Machar
118. Stephen T. Gatluak
119. Thon Aquek
120. Thon Ayii
121. Thon Garang
122. Wai John
123. Wel Jok
NB: Jonglei State Citizens against Insecurity came together out of frustration caused by kidnapping of children, killing of innocent civilians, and raiding of cattle in Jonglei State as both the State Government and Government of Southern Sudan watch without taking immediate action. The group aims at giving pressure to the President of the Government of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit to take urgent action to end insecurity caused by Murle Militia in the state. The group is composed of mostly college and university students in Diaspora, most of which come from a Facebook group known as Jonglei Students in Diaspora against Insecurity.
For more information, comments and reply, please contact the following members of the Follow up Committee
1. Bior Kech Bior, [email protected]
2. Bior Kuer Bior, [email protected]
3. Daniel Nhial Bol, [email protected]
4. Deng A. Jongkuch, [email protected]
5. Deng Yiech Bachech, [email protected]
6. Francis Chagai Bol [email protected]
7. John Jok Nhial, [email protected]
8. Mawut Guarak, [email protected]
9. Nhial Tittmamer, [email protected]
10. Peter Reat Gatkuoth, [email protected]
Group email: [email protected]
Baalens
South Sudan Govt urged to fight against insecurity in Jonglei State
First and foremost, I wouldlike to appreciate you brothers & sisters for your extreme concerns over the davastating insecurity at Jonglei State, over innocent people who devoted their full life time to liberated the masses from the yoke of tyranny….among others.
Actually, you made a right move, that showed the true element of patriotic, but your outcry voice will not be heard…simply because, there are lot of bulwarks on the way to H.E Kiir, whom their absolutes interest & roles is to eye on ideas of hard currrent, but not future prospective and constructive ideas…that’s my definate worries.
I don’t yet understand the work of Ismail who has been apointed as a presidential advisor for “PEACE & SECURITY” is that how Ismail read peace and security in a reverse form…then am very sorry.
Otherwise, never give up…the Supreme nature will rally behind you, for the truth and just to prevails in that State.
Thanks
James James
South Sudan Govt urged to fight against insecurity in Jonglei State
Initially, I want to thank and compliment each and every one of you for coming together and came up with this idea. But, there are few things which you people have omitted during your session, first, I think there are some few Murle there within United States where I think most of you live according to many of your e-mail addresses, and I don’t understand the reason as to why you didn’t summon them to the meeting and see the side of their views concerning this wrangling?
Bearing in minds that, there is no peace that could be chieved without participation of some other sides.
Secondly,you people have made some distortions of the nature of what is going on the ground,I don’t believe Salva Kiir is going to accept that, there are Murle militia cells still existing in Pibor,we all knew Ismael had brought all of his militias to SPLA, and it could be a deep surprise for government to see from this letter that, there are still militia group in Pibor, I think you need to go back and correct that midiately as we speak.
Going around randomly through your e-mail/article,I fail to believe that, there had been actually 450 kids stolen by Murle those last 2 years, it might be merely good to put it in writen form that way to make things litlle bit sour in the ear of the president, but the reality I think is completely far from your claims.
Well, it is very pleasant to come with the idea of disarment, we need peace and we need everybody in the south to enjoy his time during this calm period of time, but in other hand, we may not enjoy peace when we try to rally for troops to go and attack another tribe, I don’t think it will make thing better, may be worst instead and we don’t want things to get worst and worst. For real peace achievement, disarment need to be conducted evenly and uniformly through entire population in Jongolei state, because, if disarment is not done equally, then some groups within the state will hesitate to hand over their guns to the government as they fear counter attacks from other tribes, and this is exactly what happened last year, when UNIMIS came to Pibor for the process of disarment, a vehicle from Pibor carried Murle women and children was hijacked, four people were killed include one young business man from Anyuak, that incident reminded Murle that, guns from Dinka Bor were not thoroughly collected, In addition,that very incident made things hard for people like Ismael to gree with people on the ground. eventually a good number of guns were collected and president Kiir saw them in store in his own naked eyes, being on the disarment process still, Murle did not get good treatment from Bor at all, those who tried to go with their cows to Bor for sell were beaten and their cows were taken by force, civilian who are going to Juba through Bor route were robe off their belongings, in Jabor, Bor civilian set up camps there and keep on threatening Murle traders who are going their way home, most of their goods,cows were taken, some police men were even beaten, insulted and their guns were changed with useless one.Bor tried to deny Murle to use the shortest way from Jabor direct to Pibor simply because they wanted Murle to pass through Bor to torture or mistreat them.
looking over all these circumstances,Murle begun to question themselves, is it the way we should live in one state as brothers and sisters,is it meaning of waited peace, from there yes and no were in bracket, now I am glad that, both sides want things to be resolved, but I mind you the way most of you want thing to go militarily, is not solution, is not going to make thing attractive at all, it may even aggravate things.
I keep on repeating myself again and again over the issue of Ismael being leveled as not doing enough, remember, in lake state, Dinka alone fought and we did not point finger to Mr. Kiir but the governor and other local leaders, I don’t see what Ismael should do, yes as advisor for peace and reconciliation, well he got to do something and that is what we ask him to do.But the big question is lies on the governor,I don’t know him, yet you people have right to ask Kiir to evaluate that guy there, even before peace, when Ismael and Riek Gai were governors, there was little bit peace among Bor and Murle and Nuer as well compared to the situation we have today, what is wrong ?
This governor need to find another job good for him.
Lastly, I want to urge you guys to act as intellctuals, I could see most of you are with a lot of mix stories, ranging from raided cows abducted kidsand so forth, and most you want Murle to return Bor cows to Bor, I support that, but only when government is also ready to return all Murle cows which were looted by Nuer, Taposa and other tribes include those whom SPLA have taken some even behind sudan borders all the way to Ethiopia as all of us being fed with milk and beef from Murle cows in 80s and 90s.However, if you think Murle will back down because of force since all their good leaders in SPLA have died leaving them without somebody at the top, I fear it will be so catastrophic.
All we better do is to let the past go and try to focus our attention on the future live of our people, I truly want Murle to stop attack other neirghbouring tribes, and I want Bor to stop seeing things as they were in 1950s and 70s, Nuer respect Murle butmostly, Bor are always trying to put Murle back to the stone age period and that will not happen, this world is for everybody and governement is made up of people include the territory of Murle too, that means, Bor don’t have any single right to treat Murle badly in that state. Yes I want Bor to start respecting Murle and we will begin to stop attacking Bor cattle camps and we will also try to do what ever we can, to stop those who take other people’s children. And Bor and Murle got to restore their previous friendship.
Kuol Madhier Anyang
South Sudan Govt urged to fight against insecurity in Jonglei State
Dear Brothers & Sisters.
I truly want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for bringing this burning issue to the attention of the parties concern.
Indeed Our neighboor Murle have been terreizing the communities you have mentioned in your petition long before some of us were born. And nothing was done to stop them because the government of Sudan was involved by arming Kony’s militia. And second we people of the vitimized areas have a loving hearts and don’t believe in looting somebody else property and abducting children from their biological parents. Third God don’t want us to kill and steal from our neighboors. But Murle took advantages of the things I have mentioned as our weakness and portrayed us as coward people which is not true and they know it.Now coming back to the most important question which is did our government both in Juba and Bor failed to protect its citizens?. Yes they did for two reason. First Murle should have been the first to be disarm because of their ill behaviors and leaving them arm was our government first mistake. Second they failed to protect these communities when they disarmed and failed to protect them. The government has an obligation to protect its citizen from both domestic and foriegn enemy. And our state government failed to protect its citizens for the reasons that we don’t know up to now! and so my friends I would like to encourage you do more on this subject because we can not affort to lose people anymore. We the people of Jonglei State should work very hard to make sure that this particular problem is solve as soon as possible. It is also very important to inform Salva Kiir regarding this issue but it is our governor’s job to make sure the people in Jonglei State don’t lived in fear of being kill or raid by these outlaws. Second Mr. Kiir puts his energy on CPA implemantations and if few lives are lose here and there that doesn’t seemed to bothered him. Hi Somebody correct me if I am wrong but I was told by a friend who went to Washington DC during Mr Kiir visits to the White house.Mr President was asked about the ongong insecurity in Jonglei State and Kiir said that “Murle take children but doesn’t kill them”. The question is do you think he will be of any help if he says that to the relatives of the abducted children?. Well that is how government are this days but to my friends who are debating this issue lets remain faithful and work together with our governor Thon Leek Deng to put this issue behind us. I believe he doesn’t like this killing, looting and abduction of children as much as we do. We have to notice that governor Thon Leek have done good things to our State and this ongoing insecurity has been persistent due to the lifestyle of Murle.