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Sudan Tribune

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Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state

By John Actually

May 6, 2011 (BOR) – Jonglei state has been chosen by South Sudan’s government to host the 28th anniversary of the inception of the former rebel movement the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) on May 16.

South Sudan Hotel in Bor during the opening ceremony, April 15 2011 (ST)
South Sudan Hotel in Bor during the opening ceremony, April 15 2011 (ST)
The SPLA was established when members of the army in South sudan launched rebellion against the Khartoum government on May 16 1983 in Bor. John Garang was sent to deal with the uprising at the Sudan army barracks in Bor but instead led the garrison into the bush triggering Sudan’s second North-South civil war.

The SPLA rebellion began after President Gaafar Nimeiri regime had undermined the Addis Ababa agreement of 1972 and had broken South Sudan into smaller states. Other triggers were the introduction of Islamic Shari’a law to the whole of Sudan including the South, where most people practice Christianity and local beliefs.

The war, which led to the deaths of around two million people, ended in 2005 peace accord that made the SPLA the official army of South Sudan and its political wing the SPLM the ruling party of the region.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement also granted southerners the right to self-determination through a referendum in January 2011. The vote saw an overwhelming vote in favour of independence paving the way for a new nation to be born on July 9.

SPLM state secretary Buoth Chuol speaking to the press at his office in Bor, Jonglei, South Sudan. May 4, 2011 (ST)
SPLM state secretary Buoth Chuol speaking to the press at his office in Bor, Jonglei, South Sudan. May 4, 2011 (ST)
Speaking to Sudan Tribune, the SPLM secretary of the state, Buoth Chuol said hosting the May 16 event was an “honor to Jonglei”. He said that Jonglei was the home town of all South Sudan citizens, in reference to its status as the town where the SPLA rebellion began.

Chuol said they have formed different organizing committees to carry out different assignments for the success of the day. He said the committees include those responsible for invitations of MPs, ministers, and other dignitaries such as foreign diplomats.

According to Chuol, the celebration of May 16 is set to take place at the newly constructed stadium in the town, directly opposite to the airport. He said the roads linking the stadium to the airport and town center are ready adding that the technical team working on them is making final touches.

The state authorities have instructed the big five hotels in the state to prepare accommodation for the guests. South Sudan Hotel, which was opened on April 15 is expected to put up a large number of attendees as it has the highest capacity. Other Hotels like Garden Resort Hotel, White Nile Hotel, Freedom Hotel, and Liberty Hotel were also instructed to prepare for the day.

“The preparations we are focusing on are the stadium behind Bor town next to the airport and the roads connecting it with the airport and the town center. Accommodation is not our problem because we have enough and good hotels for guests and VIPs accommodations, these show that we are ready politically”, Chuol said.

Chuol said the success of the celebration will be marred by lack of time to prepare and shortage of funds despite Jonglei state allocating around three million Sudanese pounds for the day.

“There is no unified budget because SPLA headquarters has not given us any money since the May 16 belongs to them. We donated about 3 million to facilitate the celebration”, he said.

Chuol, who is also advisor to the governor on political affairs, said he appreciated the decision to hold the event in Jonglei describing it as “honour to the state and recognition of as starting point of freedom struggle for all southerners.” He called upon citizens to attend in large numbers without fear.

“Jonglei has been honoured by GoSS and we are ready to welcome the citizens in large numbers from all the states of South Sudan. For those who fear to come to Jonglei, I assure you that Jonglei –Bor is safer than any town in the south”, he said.

Buses and cars stuck on the Juba-Bor road at Malualchat. May 2, 2011 (ST)
Buses and cars stuck on the Juba-Bor road at Malualchat. May 2, 2011 (ST)
Jonglei has never had a good road network with other states. Especially bad is the road between Jonglei and Central Equatoria state, the base of the South Sudan government. Transportation of goods and movement of people on roads between Juba and Bor stops at the onset of the rainy season in May each year.

The movement of southerners to Jonglei state for celebration of May 16 on land will challenging to them since the Marrum road connecting Bor to Juba is not complete.

(ST)

15 Comments

  • Omoni jr
    Omoni jr

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    hell No.
    ???????????????.
    ?????????????????????..???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    Reply
  • Ahmed Chol
    Ahmed Chol

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Omoni

    Got problems with Bor? You owe respect. Don’t mess with Bor, the town and the people.

    Reply
  • Angelo Ajiech Manyuat
    Angelo Ajiech Manyuat

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Let him oppose it Ahmed Chol. Nuers never tired of talking!

    Reply
  • luak T
    luak T

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Do not just reacted like this my friend, let just celebrate our freedom together without any opposition on this event brother. may 16 in Bor town was where our leader John Garang De mabior rebel against Sudan government, it is a right thing to be celebrate in Bor city. it is not for Bor or Dinka, it is for all of Sudanese people especially South Sudanese brother. it is our times to come together and celebrate our historical times event together brother. Thank you for comment.

    Reply
  • maumau
    maumau

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    So-called John Actually,
    Review your history about the first people who started the SPLA. Garang was not among the first initiators of the movement, he was elected to lead it because of his education and good command language. He was in Khartoum working there when the heroes launched the mutiny aka rebellion. The initiators were Samuel Gai Tut, Kerbino Kuanyin Bol, William Nyuon, Gordon Koang Chol, Akuot Atem, Samuel Gai Tut, Joseph Oduho and Martin Majier. Dr Garang then joined them after they had launched the rebellion but lacked a leader.

    Yes, we have no problem for Bor to host this years` anniversary of the SPLA but make sure that you have enough food and water to feed everybody who will be attending. Provide also maximum security to the city and along the road leading to Bor in all directions. Bor has the right to host the 28th anniversary of SPLA. Keep the sanitation the city clean guys. MAUMAU

    Reply
  • Waucity
    Waucity

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Struggle started in BOR, in my uncles area, Parain Abyeii…lol..This is the only history I know, started by Koryiom.

    Reply
  • kwel mark
    kwel mark

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    What do you think as a son of a women. Whatever its take to officiate any function in Jonglei will be highly allowed .. forget about your thick headed nature my dear …

    Reply
  • Nhomlawda
    Nhomlawda

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Bor should be declared after independence a city of national importance – South Sudan Historic City.
    It was in Bor in 1960s when Khartoum government instructed some of the most vocal Bor chiefs to stand in a blazing fire if they believed South Sudan was theirs. Unequivocally, they demonstrated their ownership of South Sudan fearlessly by standing in fire that led to their death.
    It was in Bor Town when Sadiq Al Mahadi – former Sudanese Prime Minister first gave serious blow to Southerners by executing all senior chiefs of Bor Dinka subclans in 1967 for supporting Anya Anya I. This brutal act demonstrated Khartoum insecurity about Dinka joining Anya Anya I in large numbers.
    It was still in Bor in 1983 when a fierce major Karubino Kuanyin Bol rebelled and challenged oppressive brutal Khartoum government in what would become the beginning of South Sudan second liberation struggle.
    It was Bor Dinka that first contributed 12000 strong men to SPLA in what became the nucleus of the SPLA – Koryom (Locust) Battalions before their brothers in the other side of the Nile join them by contributing Muormor Battalions before other southern tribes joined in large numbers.
    It was Bor Dinka who contributed three top SPLA/M founders who sacrificed their big jobs to help liberate their people knowing the cause of their decisions – these were Dr. John Garang – lecturer at the University of Khartoum, Director of Military Agricultural Research Department and colonel in SAF, Arok Thon Arok, another intellectual and senior member of SAF and Martin Majer Gai – a SSLA member of parliament and a judge, the first Sudanese to win a literature award in UN competition in New York. These guys would have lived in luxury would they had decided to say like others let the innocent people of South Sudan suffer a lone without strategic direction.
    Mentioning of these contributions do not mean that other communities in South Sudan and even within Dinka itself did not contribute valuably but the size of Bor community and the huge contribution it had provided to the liberation struggle makes its contribution outstanding and worth praise and recognition.
    These events plus others earned Bor Town status of historic city of national importance.
    GOSS and ROSS should fund national monuments, historic iconic buildings, stadiums, senior military academy and all other historic developments in Bor City to honor her relentless contribution to the liberation and eventual freedom of South Sudanese.

    Reply
  • Jur Tier
    Jur Tier

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    To Mr.Truth teller.

    I wonder where you normally get these incomplete ideas. Remember my comments on your statements some time back last week that you always commented in favour of Nuers which proves to me that you might have been brought up badly.

    Garang never assumed the SPLM/A leadership through killing. I am sure that the late hero never had any experience in such a political tactics and that he was only the best candidate at the time due to academics qualification as you mentioned in your writing.

    Hope you better spend your writing skills on something differet than those misleading ideologies of yours

    Reply
  • Ito
    Ito

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Dear Readers,

    It is a very good news to hear that BOr has been selected as the town on which the May 16 would be celebrated, however I am not into those who try to politicise the matter to reflect tribalism. Each city in south sudan have some history behind it and all should appreciate. I am diehard supporter of spla/m and my father was an officer in the spla before he passed away, but I do recognized all liberation movements in south soudan, from 1955, let to 1975 through to 1983. All are unique and the heroes and heroines should equally be honored and praised. South Sudan is bigger than each one of us and therefore, we must first consider ourselves south sudanese before going on to point B.
    May God bless all

    Reply
  • Wen De David Kuol
    Wen De David Kuol

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    16th MAY Anniversary Celebration in Bor Town Jonglei State sound good and welcoming News. Celebration of the Victory is what I know Bor Community favors a lot. I think the Security will be upon Citizens of Jonglei State to maintain it or let it go astray and the Present of Athor and Yau Yau non civilized Nyagateen should critical analyze before dispatching the entire Sudanese to Celebrates the tremendous Victory.
    For those who put Food to be priority is pre-cooked ideas, A visitor should not be worried by small things like Food and Water, they are essential life but not top priority of the planned Occasion.
    However the Road I saw leading to Jonglei is the Crazy and seem the Government have ignored the State Road Network and Security of the State and the entire Population of around Jonglei and into. Who to blame on that Road, Am the Governor of that State, within this few day before Celebration kick off, I would rather Concentrated on those Road to Bor especially Muddy Areas and within Bor Town..
    Please remember to use Latrine and keep environment clean for those who admire to pollute environment. Nile River is flowing faster but do use it as Self helping place………………….
    No disintegration of STATES, Too Many STATES for What????????? Our Present States are Okay for Equitable Development and Resources management.
    Comrade Nhial and James Hoth must Promise in the Celebration to Bring Athor and Yau Yau to Book and Take Gabriel Gatwech Chan to express his Views in Public before being put on Marshal Law and Firing Squad.

    Long Live SPLA,
    Long Live SPLM,
    Long Live President Salva Kiir Mayardit,
    Long Live ROSS,
    Long Live Jonglei and Southern States.
    Long Live Governor Kuol Mangang Juk
    Hordhim,
    Kamapal. Uganda

    Reply
  • Tongthok
    Tongthok

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Attention all Southerner Sudaneses our national anthem is boring guys where in the world we couldnt choose from old previous slama musica.

    Reply
  • Lokeji
    Lokeji

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    Let us hope that president kiir will use this opportunity to assure the general public about the potential policies regarding the future of SPLA. We like this SPLA to be transform into a national armies.The transformation am demanding for,is not only wearing good kaki and receiving salary regularly but rather 1-i would like them to disband their loyalty from the individuals( Kiir, Riek, matip and whoever own a postion within SPLA forces) to the nation,2-they are to undergo military trianing and discipline,3-Every SPLA official who has a political colour should choose politics and resign from military or the opposite is true but he/she is not allow to practice both,because politics is a civil game, when politics is mix with military the result is the present nature of SPLM/A or NCP government where you can not trace the different between party and the government.4- the minister of defence should be a military ( professional) not any president or party’s loyalist.5-the military should not interfer into political affairs, their cardinal duty is to defend the sovereignty of state when under attack from foreight invaders.
    This is the message am expecting from Mr. president on that day rather repeating to us the past history, we are now seeing for the future, how will it look like?

    Reply
  • manyang
    manyang

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    what do you mean by saying no and put many question marks,don’t should you know that SPLM today was started in Bor in 1983? respect Bor community are your good founders.
    your stupids of putting Nyigat group starting from your mother husband Dr Dog Raik who is being drive by Lam with all those who are looking for ranks even civilians are Joining any Nyigat group.

    SPLA Oyee SPLM Oyee Bor Oyee

    Reply
  • unityfirst1
    unityfirst1

    Anniversary of SPLA inception to be celebrated in Bor, Jonglei state
    BOR.is highly recognize by the all Southerners because of the Historic dedication that had took place in that Town,Karbino Kuanyin Bol is highly honored along with his Rank officers including all the 104 Battalions will always be in our History Book.
    Kuanyin Bol Oyeeeeee.
    William Nyuon oyeeeeee.
    104 patoon Oyeeeeeeeeeeee.
    105 patoon Oyeeeeeeeeeeeee.
    South Sudan Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
    Dr.John Garang De Mabior Oyeee.
    Abyei oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
    Our girlfriend NCP Oyeeeeeeeeeeee.
    Dr.Majier Gai Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

    Reply
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