When South Sudan neglects richness

By Philip Thon Aleu

September 27, 2009 – South Sudan is facing stark difficulties – situations worsen when tribes turns against each other. But the true is that Southern Sudan is very rich. The riches are not oil that requires foreign knowledge for exploration but the fertile soil, the virgin floras and faunas.

When I visit my village last week (just 12 miles east of Bor Town), the result of last May tilting of land were taking effect and for the first time, I enjoyed 100% nature products. There are these local cereal crops known in Dinka Bor as akura-acot, yar-ceek, beer, ca-ping-dong, agong-kou, liith and diilet among others. So, after driving for about 37 minutes we were greeted and had a warmth welcome. This is harvest period and there was no need for passive activity rather active of course! Even the bible condemns sleeping during harvest time. We lifted our immunity as guests and obey working principles. I realized that this is the part of universe where the hope of the world is reserved. This is the beauty of being a Southern Sudanese – the hope of the world.

‘Diilet’ canes were no different from sugar canes. ‘Amaa’ – food prepared from fresh grains, tells your stomach that you cooked items are not dead. ‘Ca-ping-dong’ was the best for escort for taking tea. You only need to lit fire and let the grain ‘head’ (ca-ping-dong) rest there for 5-8 minutes masticate it gently. ‘Ca-ping-dong literately means ‘let me not hear it being grinded’ – for flour.

Though little rain fell this year, tools like axes, hoes or ‘pur’, and others made a wonderful job. Not forgetting the fact that the local people utilized their energy wisely nothing could had been expected from these gardens. But the riches of Southern Sudan is real – tilt your land and get the best reward.

When the day ended as darkness approaches, we took bath and form a council unknowingly. ‘Day’ in this case means when the sun rises and falls.

In my ‘council’, an interesting point surfaced. ‘Why do you guys stay in Mading (Bor town, the capital of Jonglei state)?’ a fellow asked me. But before I forged some reasons, another age’s mate answered. ‘Because they are educated and working with government,’ he said. This was a conflict. ‘What can I say now?’ I thought. But the fact is that I’m not a government employee neither do I consider myself educated though different to some extend! But sharply I said ‘There is no network here. Telephone and internet are part of my life.’

We discussed a lot of things including security in villages including Majak-kooc-aleei, the Jonglei state and southern Sudan. Considered as close to senior government authorities as far as the reporting work I’m doing is considered, I was also asked why there are emerging civilians killing. Then to government composition and representation, I was also tasked to explain why is no one from our village in parliaments of the state, Juba or Khartoum? Or even as Director General at State ministries? These were tough questions, among others, and only require technical approach.

I started my asking questions to prepare my mind and boast their understanding too. Starting with insecurity, I told them that what governments need is peace and we must focus on that only. I also reminded them of past histories when robbers don’t accumulate wealth but farmers and hunters make it. By this, I erased cattle theft and idleness. Secondly, this village must concentrate on self-reliant like this farming. The second point helped me a lot. It explains that having members at state assembly or in powerful government offices is the best. After all, who will distribute his monthly salary in the village if he/she is corrupt?

I explained that positions are not supposed to be distributed as is the case now in Sudan after the signing of CPA but contested for. Probably, a competent son or daughter of this village may make it to parliament next time.

It was an interesting chatting and by the time we had our supper while sitting on local made mates, it was 10:30pm local time. And then the discussion continued to past midnight thereafter. Some of the villagers were talking as if they had known of people fighting over positions they are failing to deliver. One guy says ‘If I was a politician and people from constituency create problems, I will resign and join them in the raiding life.’ I told him that he should not have made it to that political leadership that ideology. I lectured that today, leaders in government stand with their people all time; whether wrong or right – I mean whether your people raid others or not, you praise them to remain in power. I had won the debate at this point. This explains why south Sudanese are still unsecured.

So, when I returned to Mading Bor late Saturday September, 19 and 17 hours later got news that Duk Padiet was being fired by heavily armed men; I waited furiously how leaders, intellectuals and world will respond. Monday late afternoon, South Sudan Interior Minister Gier Chuang Aluong, Southern Sudan regional coordinator David Gressy and Jonglei Gov. Kuol Manyang retruned after visiting the scene of clashes – Duk Padiet. I let no chance but fired them with questions at Bor airstrip – asking one at a time. First I separately tasked one to commend on what he saw. Then what shall be done? Whether it was cattle rustling? And who are the raiders? Earlier that day, I spoke with Deputy Gov. Hussein Mar – who had tried his best to halt the assault but in vain. At the end of the interviews, I concluded that I had finally discussed with leaders southern Sudan need! Leaders who want wars meaningless ended. They tell the truth in Southern Sudan. And when I asked Minister Gier why Juba is very slow in tackling Jonglei crisis, he was touched and looked disappointed. Though he tried to explain and later in the best way, it was after a good struggle. But Gier as interior minister is not to blame. He took office recently and had made wonders. He is a victim of circumstances if the internal security worsens during his period.

Then on Tuesday, the news had reached almost every corner of the world and people started exchanging views. Others used the Sudan Tribune commentary forum under camouflaged naming directed their bitterness to me. It was funny and not that I’m a Dinka by birth but complications emerged when my brothers tried to ‘crudely’ translate English to local dialects. From Duk side, I was nearly swallowed by a man claiming that I said Duk Padiet was controlled briefly by militia. To this man, this means Duk were defeated. Then, another row started on Tuesday that the word militia means ‘nyagat’ – locally considered as those rebelling against accepted system of governance. So, I said what’s wrong with that? These particular groups of people are enemies of peace. They are from Lou Nuer but where not sent by Lou Nuer leaders. So, these are unlawful arms carriers known as militia in English. Their leader Chibetek Mabil defied Deputy Gov. Mar’s request to cease hostilities. According to Mr. Mar – in a voice recorder I still have fresh now, ‘if there are cattle raiders among them, they very few but these are militia.’ Mr. Mabil outlined continuous attacks from Dinka Bor especially when the Lou Nuer retaliated on Murle and killing of people on the way like the Poktap incident. Sons from Duk don’t tell their armed don’t do this, Mr. Mabil reportedly told deputy governor. But the Mr. Mar persuade him but was very ‘notorious.’

Then there a peace conference among Dinka Bor, Murle and Nuer is scheduled for September 30 where these grievances can be addressed but Chibetek refused. So, the attack went on as planned.

Now, I reminded myself of the riches I got in my village and the sort of killing going on in the state. I concluded that many people are not aware of these. And particularly, I was hurt when I got some MPs and vast elite supporting the attack blindly. Some when to the extent of saying that there is no future with solving problems they don’t even know. These reactions, according to me, were like tying one’s head when there is headache and believing malaria is gone! Others said there is misappropriated sharing of power in the state – something the militia leader did event thought of. It is sort of joking to call Country failed when there is legitimate governance. For those claiming knowing all – the all intelligent and mighty as they put themselves, you do not know what we share. We also suffered during the wars at the hands of Khartoum reigns and time is ripe to taste our system. Our soil is wealth — from farming to the oil it content. What do we want from being used as stooges by self appointed politicians? Let’s wait to vote for true leaders in the next general elections and abandon the chastising powers alone.

If one goes to his village, tell them tilt the land to get the food hidden there. Rare well sized cattle and milk them well. Wait patiently for next year’s elections and elect good leaders – those who do not encourage deaths through traditional heroism – but modern show of leadership through building of schools, road and water needed in villages.

A mega change can come through the educated ones if we look beyond tribes and serve the nation – foretold in bible – the holy book. That nation the world we fear. This real and it will exist whether we discourage ourselves through wars or insults – the dream will come true.

‘Nation first’ as put by U.S latest defeated presidential candidate John McCain. And there we move to News Sudan – whether united or self-governing Southern Sudan – country with unforeseen riches.

The author is a Sudan Tribune journalist based in Bor, Jonglei state. [email protected]