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Sudan Tribune

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Jonglei calls for reconciliation

By Philip Thon Aleu

September 8, 2009 (BOR) – Authorities in Jonglei state called on citizens last Tuesday at a public rally to look beyond tribal differences but help government in apprehending outlaws by “not standing with criminals.”

Governor Kuol Manyang moves toward his office after addressing a rally on Tuesday. (Phil. Thon Aleu -- ST)
Governor Kuol Manyang moves toward his office after addressing a rally on Tuesday. (Phil. Thon Aleu — ST)
Gov. Kuol, who returns from Pibor town Monday evening, calls Jonglei citizen to engage in unity for purpose and abandon tribal differences that have torn the state apart. Further, Gov. Kuol said the 1991 Nuer’s massacre of Bor ethnic group, considerately headed by Dr. Riek Machar – south Sudan’s vice President, should be forgotten.

“We are Christians and must forgive,” he said in reference to tension created by the 1991 Nassir’s ‘coup within SPLM’ [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] which resulted to massive killing of people in Bor.

The Tuesday rally was called after an SPLA officer, Gai Chuol Reath, was found dead on Sunday morning. Till now, nobody has being arrested as a suspect. Being from Nuer ethnic group, late Chuol Reath’s death nearly triggered a tribal tension in state capital Bor.

Rev. Moses Gatkuoth, brother to the deceased called for calm and argued his tribesmen not to take laws into their hands. State Deputy Gov. Hussein Mar Nyuot asked town residents to identify and report the murderer saying “we shall not stand with criminals” when accusing the masses of shielding gangsters.

The Deputy Governor says there is possibility that some people, without mentioning names are behind this suffering.

Acting speaker of Jonglei state legislative assembly Martha Chol Luak also condemned the killing of SPLA Division 8 officer in a press statement released on Wednesday.

“We extend our condolences to the family and SPLA Division 8 headquarters,” she wrote adding “the assembly expects the law enforcing agent to be vigilant so that such incident do not happen in the town.” Hon. Martha describes the perpetrators as “unknown criminals intending to create chaotic situation and insecurity in the town.”

Since the beginning of 2009 gunmen destabilize security in the villages of the state but no criminal is yet apprehended.

As is the norm in this town without local radio for passing public announcements, commentators mounted a car with loud speakers and alert residents of an important gathering to be addressed by Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk on Tuesday.

A raid in Akobo left more than 185 people dead, more other 50 people are killed in Twic East’s three consecutive attacks and an SPLA officer was found dead here on Sunday as crimes rate overwhelms rule of law in Jonglei. In all these cases attackers are thought to be outlaws from neighboring ethnic communities.

Though raiders on increase, Mr. Nyuot says “we [Jonglei] are not failed.” The successes of the state, according to Deputy Gov. Mar were excellently summarized when Gov. Kuol was awarded a trophy for cleaning pay roles by South Sudan President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit during the opening session of seventh Governor’s forum in Juba last month. Jonglei state saves 500, 0000 Sudanese Pounds a month as the result.

(ST)

32 Comments

  • mayor
    mayor

    Jonglei calls for reconciliation
    Mr governmener lat 1991 bygone be bygone, now we are a government of South sudan, and Rieck Machar is vice-chirman.

    As we know he listen to Lam Akol, this time he will then losed his political career for ever and that is afact.

    Mayor is realy worried about that

    Reply
  • Dinka Boy
    Dinka Boy

    Jonglei calls for reconciliation
    Dear brothers of Dinka Bor,
    talking a lot will not do any good.
    Revenge must and stop the attack from those stupid tribes.
    I don,t belived in calling unity all the time and others are not care, why cares.

    Reply
  • Bigtribe
    Bigtribe

    Jonglei calls for reconciliation
    African civilians would rather die for western democracy instead of focussing on important issues of stability and a good deal reform?

    The question that arises is whether African politicians, especially the new age opposition politicians, should continue importing western concepts and institutions or should consider resorting to improving our traditional institutions. Such people like Dr Riak Machar who was been deceived by American and Britain to overthrown the Rebel leader Dr John Garang De Mabior, both western countries has condemned Spla/m movement for been so close with Mengistu Mariam in Ethiopia.

    So the evil man of South Sudan Dr Riak Machar agreed with western ideology, however, Riak formed what so call Nasir Faction with his on word by saying:”Garang didnt like semblance of institutions of structures of democracy within the Movement. He is interested in running the Movement as his own personal property,” he was not even target to kill Garang, but to cleans Dinka Bor who are the root for Garang support, knowing if he finished them than Garang will be defeated. In his small brain he absolutely kill large number of innocent civilians, now he is still greedy and thirsty for leadership and he is still expecting those whom he killed their family in “Bor Massacre” to elect him as their leader.Everybody knows whatever moves Riak make; he collaborated with commander Mamur who is still in military prison at the moment. They were trying to overthrown Salva Kiir.

    Riak Machar Teny is still on the same track; his vision for leadership is not over.

    During selection of successor after death of Dr John Garang Mabior death in helicopter accident, General Salva Kiir Mayardit was elected, but not because he was Dinka, its his good character of leadership that many Spla/m commanders has seen from him during the bush life, however Riak Machar said “if the top person dies, than next person will take position” many people rejected Riak comment and its was said, if anyone dies, the Spla/m will decide who should take the position just because of secure. He can plan to kill the top person if his comment was not rejected immediately.

    In its dealings with Africa, the West is always accusing African governments of breaching the international standards and norms of recognised democracy.

    The question that arises is who defined what international standards are, and if African states ratified these international treaties, how much of our own culture influenced such provisions of these treaties?

    After all the government is simply chosen by the people, from the people for the people and is a product of a given society. The same leader, who in private kills others, is the same person who is made as vice president of the country he intended to finish other tribes whom he seem to disturbing his gold target for leadership. And despite murdering his countrymen in the most brutal way, he is still acknowledged as a public hero or leader!

    While there are very admirable qualities in some western institutions, is it not time we looked inward and became true to ourselves and began to embrace those concepts that reflect our cultural ideology.

    Everywhere in the world, wherever the western culture has invaded the local culture, there is bound to be friction and resistance. This is clear in Zimbabwe, Sudan, Congo, Uganda and other countries suffering under the burden of modern day attempts at re-colonisation.

    Whether democracy has worked in Africa,

    If we are in a conflict, we must look for ways of managing conflict that are informed by own cultural approach.

    The so-called international norms, which are nothings in value to Riak Machar or to Sudan in general.

    But has destroyed many countries in Africa by those who bring western ideologies, but in other hand its confusing the people within the country

    However, western principles strutting about as international mascots must always play second fiddle if they are not in since with our own culture.

    On the other hand, the president Mugabe has declared hands off to the west in his own country. Not being a dictator, however, he has seen the damage the west has done in his country and how western countries are meddling in the affairs of a third world countries. He is seeking sovereignty for his country and wanting to work out the country problems without having the west destroying it.

    Reply
  • Akau Malek
    Akau Malek

    Jonglei calls for reconciliation
    could you please stop bullshitting guys on sensitive situation like this one? We can`t support the killer whoever he kills. this is very unfortunate act and i condemn it. But where and who is the killer and where is he? We are left with nothing but to blame one tribe for the murder of the officer. if you guys understand the rule of law, you must firstly give room for an investigation before any conclusions you might draw to. History of tribal wars must be recalled whether past or present to come to some important endings of the murder case like the one we have on our disposal. some tribes are known for that in Jonglei and not to be scare by threats from some Nuer brothers about their acclaimmed courageous background, they are the troublesome and most brutal people i ever known on our planet dupitised by Murle. We need to look to the side of the coin not to be too judgemental to others. The murderer is not known but what if he was known, where is the rule of law to persecute him. If he found and persecuted, let others follow as well the like of Dr Riek and Dr Lam to mention but a few. I know these words hurts but if we need true reconciliation justice must go hand in hand with reconciliation. thanks guys hate me or like me all the same. Diehard southerner.

    Reply
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