Yirol mess to be blamed on its citizens first before SPLA

By Matur Majok Thiec

November 1, 2009 — Whoa! The conflict in Sudan has many faces, the best known are a ‘North-South’ conflict, ‘that problem in Darfur’ or an ‘Arab-African’ conflict. But the reality is that Sudan is deeply complex with many isolated but often overlapping conflicts that blur common perceptions.

The fragile Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), in one way or another, affects almost every state in the North and South of Sudan. Beneath that are numerous tribal differences that continue to be politicized, bitter oil related conflicts and an ever increasing apprehension that forthcoming elections will exacerbate problems further. Such complexities make it almost impossible for outsiders to fully understand.

No wonder failure to combat clan, tribal conflicts and maintain security at all levels of government in South Sudan is a clear indication of Government of South Sudan (GOSS) incapacity. Not only will people talk of Jonglei as the most troubled State in South Sudan, similar cases are happening elsewhere in the entire Southern region. For instance, in Lakes State, night or day would not pass with a person being killed or property looted. Life is very much under constant threat from gunmen, movement of people completely challenged, businesses paralyzed and grazing areas became untouchable. However, despite all these there is little intervention from the highest government level .besides, State authorities has done little or nothing to control the situation. Moreover days seems to be numbering for the coming elections which are scheduled for April next year and more importantly to be followed later in 2011 by the referendum. War again? By God mercy, absolutely not! War had its repercussions reached its climax so far in Sudan and more especially against Southerners. Livelihoods destroyed, infrastructure devastated, trust and hope lost tremendously. Let’s not mistaken Dr. Garang statement, “when you want peace prepare for war” he didn’t mean it among ourselves but between us and our traditional enemies (Arabs). Stopping inter-tribal conflicts and adopts culture of togetherness will works better for us. It is an undeniable that the ethnic conflicts in the post-CPA era are the most influential destabilizing forces in South Sudan which will destroy the unity of Southerners and hold back southerners from achieving their aspiration for an independent state. For some politicians, this is the only legitimate source for exercising their wills. Perhaps, financial bring in and leadership benefit are behind this practice. If that is the case, why fought for all these years? Politicians – I don’t know why, but they seem to have a tendency to separate us, to keep us away from one another, while nature is always and ever making efforts to bring us together. We have plenty of Confidence in this country, but we are a little short of good men to place our Confidence in. Our Drs, People like Dr. Lam Akol and many others who support him (Lam) in his evil act of trying to separate Southerners will be answerable in any case, However, if Southerners are willing to determine their destination who else a part from God can block the road to. As the Political season is approaching, all Southerners in their various constituencies should be vigilant enough. I mean, we hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to represent us in public offices, be it Payam, County, State or National level.

Meanwhile, Yirol, the automatic place to be for every visitor because of it characteristics, land popularly known so far in Sudan for it beauty, people, peace and hospitality being offered is not only in a serious state of an unrest but also has become a dumping ground for Sudan people’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Soldiers under the command of Col. Mr. Mou Muor Manyaar have overwhelmingly taken over Yirol with their unacceptable and unconstitutional behaviors. Contrary to what they are sent there for, killing, raping and looting among other things became their major activities. Youth are totally denied their freedom of movement, as threats have become part of their life. They are causing insecurity instead of maintaining security suppose. What are they doing there? To support the point of killing, So far two innocent young men have been killed by these unprofessional soldiers, one from Apaak and the one other from Luac. Nevertheless, of recent, the commissioner of Yirol West County, Mr. Agok Manyiel Dhieu became a victim of their barbaric act. He was ordered an arrest and put at gun point by these Soldiers but up to now, no investigation team has gone there yet to investigate and bring the culprits to justice, if at all there is justice in Southern Sudan. What a great embarrassment for Mr. Commissioner! Well, who should we blame for these? Perhaps, I would not hesitate to blame it straight on SPLA, but Yirolist themselves especially our elders who claimed to be intellectuals also have hands in it. If we restore our culture of peace and unity in Yirol, SPLA soldiers won’t be send here to disturb us.

Ciec Youth Association (CYA) in their recent letter has highlighted much about what is happening in Yirol dominated by the case between Apaak and Ciec Youth. Of course, I am not against the letter, but as a matter of fact, I have got something to disputes on, the issue related to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) H.E Mr. David Deng Athorbei. Unless otherwise, I have mistaken, in the letter, it is alleged that the decision by Lakes State authority to confiscated Ciec’s Cows and brought them to Yirol Town was influenced by him (H.E Mr. David Deng) whose cows had just been taken in Gadiang by Ciec Youth. Completely not! Deng have nothing to do with issues connected to cows taking. Yes it is true, his cows were among the cows taken by Ciec youth from Apaak but never at all will he ordered the confiscation of Ciec’s Cows in favour of apaak’s cows as claimed in the letter. With the little I know about Him (Deng), He is a peace loving man, Non-segregationist symbolized by his actions, He is also a man who doesn’t lobbed against individual tribe and finally he is non-nepotistic and innocent for that matter. Mind you, Deng is not an army figure. And if fingers are to be point at, people would rather Point at some SPLA’s Generals like Mr. Marial Canuog Yol who is highly ranked and his other colleagues who has the capacity to supply their people with ambitions plus some Honorable Members of Parliament for example, Hon. Chol Marial who also cannot afford to control his war of words. Definitely, he (Deng) is not the one to blame for Yirol problems. In any case, the decision to confiscate the cows was of no benefit to either Apaak or Deng. In fact, no single cow of Apaak was among the confiscated cows. Therefore the State Authority or SPLA’s Soldiers holds the sole responsibility of those cows. Perhaps, the decision was just a frustrated approach by the State authority that is incapable of controlling and providing security. Indeed, to highlight on some mess by this same government, two women were raped by Ciec Youth and to make the matter worst, one of these women died but up to now the culprits are not trapped and brought to Justice. What a shame! What kind of brotherhood clashes are such? It seems there will be no peace again in Yirol, but with God greatness, Peace will automatically come there one day. Again, disarmament was not unanimously done. The doubled-cost clan Youth (Apaak Youth) were disarmed and left with nothing but defenseless and they were so much exposed to problems from their neighbors who are not disarmed. By the way, the reason is very clear; they have no any single army General in the SPLA. In that case, there was reason of letting their cows to well armed people (Ciec Youth). That was totally inconsiderate. Honestly, their cows would not have been taken at all had it not been guns. Why would Apaak be the first victim of every government decision? Apaak, are completely denied Freedom of movement by Ciec Youth, moreover they are allowed to pass through Aluakluak day and night. Nobody stood at the door-step from Yirol to elsewhere via Aluakluak. What is the meaning of that? Any way if I am lying, let the truth speaks by itself, for instant, one cannot reach Rumbek or Mbolo without passing through Aluakluak and Nyang is strictly and totally out of bounds for Apaak.

Oh God! Why would innocent people die for nothing? They are made to fight against each other for nothing by the so-called intellectuals who would not in way or another incur any lost at the end of the day in term of death or property loot. Remember, these politicians have all their children in safety abroad. So whatsoever the outcome of these conflicts would be, always will it not be their concern. My appeal to all youth (cattle keepers), wherever they are, is to restore their culture of love, install some correctives mechanism to end these bloodsheds and stop being use by politicians.

Above all, South Sudanese challenges are so huge and enormous to cover in a single movement. But at the movement, I would rather seek God intervention and salvation into these matters!

“I am crying for Yirol solidarity and South Sudan at large.”

The Author is living in Southern Sudan City of Juba and can be reached at [email protected].