Opinion and Columnists

UNWANTED SPLM OFFICIALS STRATEGICALLY THROWN OUT FROM THE PARTY LEADERSHIP

Posted on October 18, 2015

By: Gatluak Khot Keat,

SG Pagan Amum and Dr. Riek Machar signing a peace agreement for their respective parties in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Salva Kiir refused to sign(Photo: file)

Undoubtedly, I am made to direct my efforts to write in reaction to the futile development of SPLM Juba, having dissolved the structures this evening of 16^th October, 2015 and its being another astonishment of the fortnight.

A clear move I see as a matter of systematically excluding from the leadership the SPLM officials; be it on the side of Dr. Riek, Pagan and those that are not loyalists on the side ofKiir.

It is indeed one of the Chairman’s prerogative functions to dissolve and declare all the positions vacant. However, the intention which would primarily count for his exception remains vague. The development could be anticipated to be in the interest of the delayed SPLM National Convention where by the formation of congresses in various states antecedes the necessary procedure.

In view of such unmet expectation, the development squarely serves not only to break the spine of Arusha reunification, but also to imperil the recently inked accord by the two warring parties. It supplements the unconstitutional Establishment Order of expanding from the constitutionally existing 10 to the imaginary 28 states.

Subsequently, in the published news on Sudan Tribune; paragraph fourquoting Martin Majut’s statement caught my eyes and attracted my reaction on a coherent account that the appointment of the Secretary General, Deputy and others after the stated thirty days will hold no substantial basis, much as the party remains torn apart and that the preceding National Convention has not taken place.

Having a flashback, the party Chairman verbally decided to dissolve all the SPLM structures on the 15^th November, 2013 with an exception of himself and the Secretariat which he said would continue to function till he reappoints a new Secretariat. The only differences I observe from the 2013 and the 2015 declarations that I can provide a case against are that: the former was verbal, the Chairman and the Secretariat were exceptional and the latter is put in black and white and only the Chairman remains exceptional.

Notwithstanding his verbal decision, it was later on reported that the Chairman denied having dissolved the structures of the party after the publication of his statements and his speech recorded by a number of media houses as well as confirmed by a number of eyewitnesses present at the occasion.

Recalling the 15^th September, 2015 observation by the President on the fate of the party, he observed that the peace accord whereby power would be shared by three party factions meant the division in the party was inevitable. That out and out entails the circumstance under which the Chairman dissolved the structure, despite the fact that the reunification which reinstated both the Secretary General and Deputy Chairman counts.

The decision was wholly based on the true sense that SPLM Juba will not recall its loyalists in spite of the will be peaceful and democratic South Sudan. And it absolutely makes the entire situation to move from worse to the worst.

Allowing the return of peace to take its course and honoring the Arusha reunification till the system returns to normalcy would be the only remedial to all these happening uncertainties.

Ultimately, it takes both nationalism and patriotism to see to it that peace is accorded to the innocent citizens whose lives are jeopardized by the nature of the 22 months conflict.

If you want to submit an opinion piece or an analysis please email it to biehtelegraph@gmail.com

This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists.

Who can revive South Sudanese eroded values?

Posted on October 18, 2015

By Samuel Reech Mayen

The Delight of Juba Ruling Clique and the Flight of Junubiin

The people of South Sudan used to be guided by their own values. For centuries, these ideals kept the societies together. These standard principles impliedly acted as unwritten constitution. Moreover, everyone in these societies was willing to abide by these values, and those who deviate were seen as lesser humans in these societies.

In this article, we shall explore and stress on some of these principles that had guided the societies for hundreds of years. These standard principles are many but for the purpose of precision of this article, the emphasis is centered on the following values:

First, Respect for Human life was a superseding ideal; in the past, people of South Sudan had great reverence for human life. It didn’t matter what circumstances, human life remain paramount. Hence cases of murder were lesser compared with the contemporary days. But should it happen that someone murder another one intentionally, full blood compensation to the relatives of the deceased would only be the remedy though the murderer would not stand as morally upright person in the community.

On this basis, Customary Laws did not provide for death penalty in most societies that are today in the contemporary South Sudan. The murderer would be left to be haunted by the act and would lose social status in the society. In most of these communities, the feud that resulted from murder could not allow intermarry between the family of the murdered and the murderer till purification ritual that ended this bitter feud is conducted.

Despite the facts that fighting could frequently broke out amongst different sections of the South Sudanese communities, there were many ways of reducing death cases; these include the abolition of indiscriminate killing that involve women, elderly people, children and the wounded. These vulnerable groups could not be slaughtered despite the circumstances that caused the conflict. The widely divine believe was that, killing a helpless person would result to the death of that merciless murderer and concequently would not have descendants in the future generations so that such an unethical act does not reoccur.

As part of reducing fatalities, those elders with divine powers in the communities could also stop the battle when sections are fighting by doing an act such as breaking a wooden handle of a spear (wai tɔŋ in Dinka/ taŋ mut in Nuer). This was a common practiced in the Nuer and Dinka communities for stopping bloodshed. In the Dinka community, a respected person of some divinities traits would step in the middle and yell kääc kë (from kɔng kööc which means stop first) and the rioting youth would response positively.

Nuer elder could draw a line on the ground in the middle of the furious youth and warn them from crossing such a line. Anyone who could not response to this call was perceived as a thoughtless or a heartless person and could be liable for curse.

Since homicide was a bad act that could not be executed by lawful sanction, a person who committed provocative act would always ran to the house of a chief or a king depending on the system where he would be protected until the matter is resolved as provided by the customary laws.

The second value was the secrecy and sacredness of sex. Sex was only meant for the marriage couples. Sluts or players were rarely heard of in the South Sudanese societies. And could it happen that such people existed, they enjoyed less respect and were always liable for their immoralities. For instance adultery was treated as a moral wrong that contravened the norms of the people. Adulterers suffered stigma as well as fines and compensations imposed on them as deterrence for the future offenders of this immoral behavior.

There were no prostitutes like the ones that are loitering in the board day light in the towns of South Sudan. Would it been in accordance to the values of the South Sudanese, foreign prostitutes would have been evacuated and the indigenous ones would be forced to calm down. It may sounds controversial to Human Rights provisions today but in those days it could be shocking news for a woman to dress and stand in readiness for sex with strangers in exchange for something of value.

Despite the fact that force marriage existed in the communities of South Sudan, rape was a rare phenomena and its commission was treated as one of the worst immoralities. Even if a dispute broke out between certain communities, women were excluded and had the rights for protection. Those who committed rape during the conflict were inferred to be potentially vulnerable for supper natural being’s punishment.

This was one of the reasons the men from the communities which practice kidnapping couldn’t marry the girl children they kidnapped. One would nurture a girl child he kidnapped and latter would be married off to another person. The one who kidnapped such a child is more like adoptive father. He would only benefit by receiving the dowries paid on the girl he kidnapped.

The third value was hospitality, in those days anyone can host a total stranger for a night or more. It was common that a leader like Sultan Jambo of Moru would host a huge number of travelers almost every week. Since the communities were enjoying these values, there were no chances for suspicion.

The fourth value was honesty; in the past, cases of theft were barely heard of and anyone who did the act tarnished his reputations, the reputations for his children and the reputations for his grand children. This could sometime be echoed by a song compose in mockery of that particular thief. It was even hard for someone from thievery background to marry in the most respected families. It was believed that such poor quality could result into poor qualities of children in the future. No one wants bad name. It was a belief that stealing is ethically wrong. Not like these days when thieves are the rich and accorded much respect. Today, those who are stealing cows and money are using those to pay for their wives in the very month of stealing that wealth.

The fifth value was the high respect for customary laws. Some communities were organized in Kingdoms as seen in the Shilluk and Anyuak communities. Majority of the tribes such as Nuer, Moru, Azande, Bari, Dinka, Kuku, Taposa, Acholi, Lotuko and many others were organized under Council of elders. These councils of elders later developed into chieftaincies. Both Kings and Chiefs’ courts determined dispute amongst the parties. Their decisions were executed without difficulty due to the respect that people had in their leadership systems. There were no armed police for execution since no one resisted chief or king’s decision.

Respect was an obligation that was expected of every one. Leaders for example could not be called names or insulted. Today leaders are described as idiots, fools, corrupt and so many damaging utterances. Perhaps these leaders do not meet the expectations of their subjects or whatever reason.

However, in the past there was no threshold in which respect could be accorded. This does not mean that the traditional leaders could not be challenged. They could be challenged but in the most honorable manner. Cases against these traditional leaders could be instituted in the customary courts and no presiding chief would fear to pronounce the guilt of the accused chief. At their levels, leaders work hard to preserve their reputations.

Generally South Sudanese societies were living in a principled atmosphere and everyone was enjoying peace as a result of these cherished values. The respect for leaders is clearly indicated on how the communities’ names were linked with their leaders. The people of Cueibet up to today are popularly known as Gok Arol Kachuol, the people of Guit County in Bentiu as Jikany Gatkek Luom, people of Mayom County as Bul Chuol Gei, People of Tonj East as Luach Aguer Adel, and the Dok of Bentiu under Riek Dong as well as Sultan Jambo of Moru in Western Equatoria.

Respect was usually accorded to all, and a child would refer to any elder as a mother or an uncle as determine by an elder’s sex. Any elder would call any child his or her child. This was the relations that existed among the people. It was not like today when an old man can stand quivering while a teen ager is sitting in a chair in a public bus claiming that he paid for the chair first.

Regrettably, these values have been eroded by many factors; first the civil wars that were fought for the liberation have been in the expenses of these values. The annihilation of these values can be traced back to the earliest time of the slave trade, the colonial era and 1960s horrors of the Anyanya Movements. The recent wars of SPLM/A against Khartoum oppressive regime, the 1991 split in the SPLM/A, the wars with in south Sudan that include, the ones waged by Olony, David Yau Yau, the Late Gen. George Athoor government have also contributed negatively on the social setting. The worst one, is the present war of the second major split within the SPLM/A. Because of these horrible experiences, people have been traumatized, minds have been corrupted and the crucial principles have been scraped off.

The suffering that people have been subjected to and the ethnic politics have led the previously coherent society into clusters that see themselves as enemies. Each ethnic group fears the threat of extinction from the other. Consequently, people have developed murderous attitudes and behaviors. Trust and confidence have been lost. Those with abilities to raid or steal cattle commit these acts freely, and the powerful proudly embezzle public funds. The guiding values have gone. In these state of affairs, the demanding question is who can revive these eroded values?

The author is a student who lives in Kampala and can be reached at: mayenreech@gmail.com or +256 772 727 857.

If you want to submit an opinion piece or an analysis please email it to biehtelegraph@gmail.com

This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists, South Sudan Politics.

Does South Sudan really strive to build democracy?

Posted on October 18, 2015

By: Bol Khan

Introduction:

President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir waves the newly signed constitution during the ceremony in the capital Juba on July 9, 2011 to celebrate South / Bieh Telegraph..

Does South Sudan really strive to build democracy? Who shall spearhead as a leader, the building of democracy in South Sudan? Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit? What an illusion! Is he honest enough still to be expected as a person who may transport democracy to South Sudan? Yes, before past six decades or so, Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit was good at least for something. At that time when you talked anything with him or if anything was told to you by Salva Kiir Mayardit he accordingly lived up to what he said to the end. I am talking of the time of the SPLM’s reclusive vision of Secular, United Sudan and New Sudan Vision “the vision of no return” as they were saying, where we would find them almost everywhere chanting “From Nimule to Halfa and from Genena to Ameskhoref, in Eastern Sudan”. Personally, but not in their quest for United, Secular New Sudan, I was among those who termed him (Kiir) “a good, trustworthy and a man of few words who could only believe in action”.

Little did we know that, a year latter or less (that was) after independence, Salva Kiir would become number-one among the liars or most in-trusted President in the world. I am not abusive, this is the fact. Globally, it is a must and necessary for any head of state and Government to possess required qualities. Or know precisely, what it takes to lead a nation like South Sudan. So I was one of his unpaid fans. I can even still remember the fierce political and national arguments we made during the six-year interim period. We would strongly ague with the likes of Gordon Buay who were by then irrationally the arch-political opponents to Salva Kiir. Someone, a year ago wrote an article asking questions like “What had happened really to Salva Kiir Mayardit”? Was it sweetness or tatse of power that could drive him into the point of becoming a famous liar, a behavior which subsequently led to uncontrollable chaos on 15 Dec 2013? Or was it something else? I concurred with that guy or author! As a matter of fact, Salva Kiir would have become the most reverted President on earth and leave behind even a good political LEGACY. However, drastically, Salva Kiir changed his mind from a habit of building a nation to that of deceiving a nation at best. The recent past, current and present events make up my defend team convincing at this point. All those fatal events could be prevented if there was a political will in our country’s leadership.

Introspect without doubt, we all became familiar to the reason as to why Salva Kiir abruptly branched or deviated from his national-bound duties. I think there is no need for categorical vindication. Salva Kiir had since then became number one—among the most liars Presidents ever in the world. He is no longer a trusted top human being in South Sudan; for he changed the true sense of this famous adage “Words speak not louder but action does”. However, nowadays, Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the South Sudan’s current President doesn’t practically implement what he says. In short the entire speeches he has been delivering right after independence had not been implemented as expected. Particularly the speeches which supposedly mean to strengthen and build a democratic foundation in South Sudan.

Now let’s go direct to the topic. As titled above, this piece is a critique of Kiir’s last speech (article), “South Sudan’s strives to build democracy” under his leadership. Whether or not, the article was written by one of the Jieng Council of Elders or Juba’s government Council of Ministers’ member; that is none of our business. Our concern for today is to shed light on Salva Kiir’s illusion. His article or speech was published in Washington Times, other several international news outlets as well as the national ones. The speech was full of empty promises and it might disseminate unfounded information which should not go unchallenged. In that article Kiir illogically tried to put across: Juba is ready to implement IGAD-PLUS Compromise Peace Accord. But the reservations he made on 26th August 2015 in Juba are still in the palms of his hands. This was the first intent and condition Salva Kiir places on the table. Second, he wants the world to sees him as peace lover and under him as President, South Sudan will strive to build real democracy. The latter is as easy as passing of the camel through the tiny hole of the needle! Does Salva Kiir revere rule of law—for him to build democracy? What was Salva Kiir’s hidden agenda when he signed peace Agreement in August? These are the two basic questions this critique is trying to extract!

Does Salva Kiir revere rule of law—for him to build democracy?

To start with, Salva Kiir began his speech by January 9^th 2011 and how difficult it was for South Sudanese to have a country of their own. Read what he said“Just five years ago, as dawn unfolded on January 9, 2011, millions of South Sudanese took the final steps on our seventy-year journey to independence. In our own country, we said, our government would act for us and not against us. It was our friends in the international community who helped shape those feelings into words. “Accountable, representative institutions;” “the Rule of Law;” “inalienable and equitable rights” – for many in South Sudan, the institutional vocabulary was new. But we all had known their meanings by their absence”. Thus, I, Bol Khan, would like to say now and again that Salva Kiir Mayardit is a BIG liar I have ever seen! Does he really know that the very country he leads came as a result of ordinary and millions South Sudanese’s votes in 2011? Also in his speech he said and I quote “The IGAD-PLUS Compromise Peace Agreement undermines the South Sudan’s democratic institutions” end quote. Does Salva Kiir really respect South Sudan’s democratic institutions, elected positions and the constitution? Of course not! If he does, Mr. Joseph Bakasoro, WES’s former Governor, the former Governor of Upper Nile state, Simon Kun… Etc would have not lost their elected gubernatorial positions. Because, you cannot claim to build democracy or respect democratic institutions while you’re not a best friend to rule of law! Rule of law in nature, is basically to implement what the law of the land says and the constitution as it had been stipulated. I doubt Salva Kiir’s intention, because if he reveres the rule of law he would have not trained those boys from his own regional states. The boys—Dotkubeny private forces that would then, by Presidential orders, blocked the national road to democracy as it had happened in 2013. He would have not fired either elected officials as he has been doing all along! Additionally, he should avoid separating South Sudan on ethnic basis.

The second window of an opportunity for Salva Kiir to make democracy a reality in South Sudan was that failed SPLM’s Third National Convention in 2013. It is known to many: SPLM’s National’s Convention in December 2013 came to a standstill in December 2013 due to the following:

A) A traditional practices “show of hands” against the the modern one“secret ballot”.

B) Salva Kiir wanted to nominate five (5) percent of the membership of the congresses to the National Convention…Etc.

C) Kiir’s intransigent against all democratic principles.

But he (Kiir) deliberately refused to swallow the modern democratic norms—compared to old traditional practices. He later on admitted, in Arusha-Tanzania the above modern democratic issues as grave mistakes he had made in December 2013. And as true abstacles in building democracy in South Sudan! Though he did admit his fault, after thousands innocent South Sudan people had already miserably pass on due to the SPLM-Kiir’s intransigent against democratic principles. Now, who can hoodwink who that Salva Kiir will ever succeed in building democracy in South Sudan? I think, even the IGAD-PLUS imposed Salva Kiir on South Sudanese to lead the nation during the upcoming transitional period of thirty (30) months not because Salva Kiir will ever demonstrate democratic spirit in South Sudan. Perhaps, IGAD-PLUS wanted to end the war peacefully by re-installing Salva Kiir to the country’s top seat so that he can stop maiming Africa’s younger nation! That might be the case!

What was Salva Kiir’s hidden intention when he signed IGAD-PLUS compromise Peace Agreement?

Are you already familiar with Salva Kiir’s way of doing things? If not, you should now begin to access Benydit’s true internal cunning way of handling the issues. And what he was intended when he signed IGAD-PLUS compromise peace agreement. Mr Salva Kiir’s inner intend towards IGAD-PLUS Compromise Peace Agreement he signed on 26^th August 2015 was totally different compared to peace lovers’perspectives. President Salva Kiir didn’t sign the Agreement with all his heart and soul; he forced himself to act against his determination. In another words, he was just bluffing—deceiving the nation, the region and the world! His was but a naked tactic of “let’s buy time”! Take this simple truth from me my dear reader if you don’t have it already! Look at what he says “I recently signed an internationally brokered peace accord to end an insurrection against my government that has plagued us for almost half of our young nation’s life. I did not accede to this deal because it is perfect—indeed, the plan undermines the sovereignty and democratic institutions of our nation in key, unfortunate ways. Despite our misgivings, last month I committed our people, their nation and their government to the Compromise Peace Agreement. But let my reasons be clear: I did not sign the accord because of threats or intimidation. I signed because leadership is the art of the possible and choosing between difficult, imperfect options. I signed because a government must lead”.

In our own analysis based on the above sentences, Salva Kiir was deceiving the nation, the region and global community when he signed that agreement. He wanted to free the knot or a looming loop which was about to be tied around his neck. In August if you can still remember, the world media houses were so much dominated by this sad news that “South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, refuses to sign IGAD-PLUS Compromise Peace agreement, meant to end twenty one (21) months civil war and the suffering of his own people”. In another words, it was only panic of the looming regional and international’s isolation as well as the possible military intervention. All those contributed immensely in one way or another to the reasons. For that reasons, he lately changed his mind and signed peace accord nine (9) days late but in Juba, South Sudan. Therefore, the original plan was to illogically put pen on paper and then blocks the implementation as time goes, then by putting forward the reservations.

Secondly, he would worry less, since the IGAD-PLUS compromise agreement states: He (Salva Kiir) must remain head of state and government for the next upcoming period of thirty (30) months—transitional period. This is the art of leadership he meant. Kiir’s government idea, directed by the Council of (Elders/from) his own region was to buy time. Government’s offensive in the war fronts and unilateral creation of ethnically-based Twenty Eight (28) new states was the real symptom that Salva Kiir has already started assassinating for good the implementation of the Peace Accord. Contrary to IGAD-PLUS Compromise Peace Agreement—an agreement which is only supporting ten (10) states and as stipulated also in South Sudan’s transitional Constitution, 2011.

Conclusion

What is so strange is that, Salva Kiir expects everybody to just believe in what he says not in what he puts in action. In another words, Salva Kiir wants to use the constitution as his personal thing: that he has a legal right to smash the country’s constitution and nobody should blame him because he is the President. He considers himself as above the law of the land! For instance, if Salva Kiir delivers a speech today outlining how elected positions must not be touched in accordance with the country’s constitution, he would tomorrow surprisingly without fear fired an elected official. While the officials he removes were democratically elected just like him and by the same people of South Sudan. However, if you question him as to why an elected official is removed, Salva Kiir and his sycophants would stand tall saying “I/we know there are people who are working against the constitution, the government and the nation. People do not know that I am (he is) the Republic of South Sudan’s legitimate and a democratically elected President”. Now in such contradictory behavior, what kind of human being Salva Kiir and his cronies are? How do you handle such a messes? Should Salva Kiir be considering a kind of South Sudanese leader who must continue leading a nation?

It was indeed surprising for one to read the following sentences from Salva Kiir. “Foreign governments and un-elected bodies will never revere the South Sudanese vote as we do because they did not sanctify it with their blood. They cannot treasure our sovereignty as we do because they did not suffer to establish. They will not cherish our freedom as we do because they did not taste our oppression. Of course we – the elected government – voiced our objections. We were told, however, to keep quiet”. What a degrading diatribe! He even ended his speech by saying: Mr. Salva Kiir is the elected President of South Sudan. When was he elected as the President of the Republic of South Sudan? The best part of all is that, all the elected officials he removed in South Sudan as well as other constitutional’s blunders he made are there automatically proving Salva Kiir’s impractical language invalid. FYI, dear readers, there must be a strange spirit in Salva Kiir Maryardit! I am sure; that same spirit in him definitely makes it also impossible for democracy to become a reality under Kiir’s leadership in South Sudan, comes what!

In conclusion

I would want, therefore, the public and the world to seriously take the following facts into action as we continue receiving empty promises from Salva Kiir’s Government. Salva Kiir’s Government is neither ready to implement the IGAD-PLUS Compromise Peace Agreement nor it is ready to build democracy in South Sudan. In addition and more importantly, the powers he (Salva Kiir) has now in his hands were delegated to him not by the people of South Sudan. He rob them—the powers by himself, because no Presidential elections held in South Sudan since independence and subsequently after 9^th July, 2015. Therefore, if you hear today from Salva Kiir Mayardit that “South Sudan’s strives to build democracy”; then he and his group must be clandestinely striving to act, as usual, not in accordance with the law or what is agreed upon by the world. Without exception, we all know how self-appointed and un-elected Presidents work. So, don’t say you are dumbfounded on that day!

Bol Khan is a concerned South Sudan’s civil society activist. He can be reached at bolkhan39@yahoo.com.

If you want to submit an opinion piece or an analysis please email it to biehtelegraph@gmail.com

This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists, South Sudan Crisis, SPLM Affairs.

THE ‘BADS’ AND THE ‘GOOD’ OF 28 STATES: A PEROSNAL POINT OF VIEW.

Posted on October 18, 2015

By: Dhuor Reath Badeng,

(The Bieh Telegraph/ Kenya)–The creations of 28 states have been received with mix reactions both locally and internationally by citizens and friends of South Sudan. I personally also want to have my take as to what aspects the order would gain currency and on what grounds it wouldn’t hold.

First and foremost, South Sudan is a country that depends entirely on oil revenues for all its activities and as any person with profound intellectuality would ratiocinates; the total amount of oil money available for the whole country in a year depends on world oil prices, the oil contracts, technology, and oil production rates, among others. So, given all the above strains, there isn’t much an ordinary citizen can do to change any of these variables in the current economic enclave that our young country finds herself in. In that vein, I don’t see any reason as to why the government in Juba would wish to create more economic instability when it’s already unable to battle with the big elephant within. The dollar has never been our good friend all the way from 2011 when the president with the approval of the NLA ordered for the closure of the oil flow to the North because of the high transit fees that was being charged by Sudan to this particular day that even a liter of fuel price has ramped up from the previous 5 SSP/liter to 100 SSP/liter simply because the local business people cannot afford hard currencies to bring in imports. For that reason I deem it oblivious of the President to decree such order when there is so much to be done in order to keep the already available 10 States viable than creating more.

Yes! It has been a popular demand by the people of South Sudan to have federalism as well as the SPLM Party’s vision to take town to the people, but not at a gruff moment of humanitarian crisis as this. There are IDPs in almost every town in South Sudan, thousands of Refugees in nearly all the neighboring countries who even in the camps where they have sought refuge do not live and socialize like people caught in the same predicaments. They have placed their tribal identities above anything not taking into consideration the fact that they are all victims of the senseless war that made them fled their homes and to inflame all this, the government who is supposed to bring them back to their respective homes and ensure their efficacious and safe resettlement, reconciliation and eventual healing of past wound is wrapped up pigeonholing them in ethnic states in the name of taking town to the people. This subdivision of States which is driven to a signiﬁcant degree by divide-and-rule politics and the complaints of minorities in each state about not getting a fair share of the ‘cake’ will not work out well for the president and his cohorts but will only create new conﬁgurations, new minorities and more numerous divisions which have already been witnessed in some parts of equatorial and western Bahr el Ghazal state.

The Presidential order is more disastrous, irritably, mocking and embracing to many “WHO ARE INTELLECTUALLY EQUIPPED” and who are now given the trial test to own an imaginary states with no clear borders, unidentified cadres, unknown populations, budget and networking roads to ease the delivery/taking of resources nearer to the consumers. I know there are perspicacious men and women around the president who could have reviewed and slashed the unwanted blatant order but only if they had had the chance to pip their eyes on the disturbing document. But instead, the ‘Oh yes men and women’ surrounding the Pandora of Salva Kiir have taken the would-have been national responsibility to their own selfish pursuit depriving not only those who might have the guts or temerities to questioning their filthy ways of corrupting everything they touch, but also embarrassing the president himself in the eyes of international community. They are just sheep in wolf clothing!

It is also to be noted that this order by Mr. Kiir was motivated by the fact that CPA II gives the two largest oil producing states to SPLMIO and for that reason, Kiir and cohorts have to derive a formula that would deprives SPLMIO of the benefits it would glean from the oil fields in those states and this is clearly depicted in the way the president has pigeonholed the Dinka of Apandang into the states of Ruweng and Eastern Nile as a formula to secure the oil fields in those areas. Oil-based political conﬂict can lead to the fragmentation of the national or the wider interest, unleashing a dynamic well known to economists: the tragedy of the commons. As it happens, this generic dynamic can be illustrated by the struggle that will surface in the near future as the various communities engage in fisticuffs over the control of the oilfields. In this ‘common-pool’ problem, participants will compete to get oil out as fast as possible, before the others do, leading to overproduction and damage to the oil fields. This is the problem I foresee happening with the former Unity and Upper Nile States citizens.

Nevertheless, having given some negative impacts of the order, I still personally believe that the order would serve some sense in terms of security. My personal analysis on this is based on the fact if the creation of 28 states becomes a reality, majority of the people who were staying in Juba for no apparent reasons but just for love of town life will now have to travel back to their states capitals and find something useful to do for themselves hence clearing Juba of its previous dense settlement which was used and would still be used by criminals and other ill-intention security/public officials as a tramp card to effect their misfeasance.

Similarly as I stated earlier in the previous paragraph that this subdivision of States is driven to a signiﬁcant degree by the complaints of minorities or procedurally marginalized majorities in each states about not getting a fair share of the ‘cake’, it is true that some communities since the establishment of South Sudan have never felt the benefits of having a country and this creation of 28 states by the president would means ‘Jah blessing’ to them as reggae listeners would put it. Therefore as a member of the newly the created Eastern Bieh State, and not owing apology to what any other person out there will interpret this opinion, I embrace and welcome the creation of Eastern Bieh State for it will solve many issues that have been affecting the would-be members of E.B.S ranging from security issues with its neighbors from the former Jonglei State, poor development in terms of physical infrastructures, health sectors, education among others that will practically be attainable with the coronation of a new Governor who will be au courant with the prime concerns of the citizen and use the locally raised revenues to effect these developments. Yes we can!

Lastly but not the least, as we all know that we humans are competitive creatures and the seeds of conflict are build deep in our genes. We fight each other and only survive against all odds by organizing ourselves into group that would have common purposes, give morale and fortitude. The peaceful resolution of this 22-months long conflict should be paramount to all of us despite the political divide we come from. The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily with the followers. And therefore as followers of the different political figures that run our country, we must step up beyond political sycophancy and look at things nationally rather than following the interest of the various leaders that purport to be working for national interests when in reality they are doing things to their political advantages. I have heard and read many comments coming different supporter that why would it be 28 States and not 21 states as was first declared by Dr. Machar? The best argument now should be; “There is no need for accepting federalism (creation of more state) by the government at this point since they had rejected the proposal earlier”And if the petition to rescind the creation of 28 states fails as it will, given the increasingly intransigent mannerthat the government in Juba have become, 21 or 28 states should not be the bone of contention, the parley should be; how do we go about the situation so that it doesn’t negatively impacts on the CPA power sharing ratios that were agreed by all the parties.

South Sudanese are sick and tired of all these messes and we all need to do something really quick to save the country from going to the dogs.

God Bless South Sudan!!

Dhuor Reath Badeng Jnr. The writer of the article can be reach through drbadeng@gmail.com.

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This entry was posted in Bieh State Government, Opinion and Columnists, South Sudan Crisis.

Can South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda Change its Face for the Betterment?

Posted on October 8, 2015

By Samuel Reech Mayen

Bieh Telegraph/Press Release, Looking at how the students’ politics have been ran in the last three years, it would be unfair to state that the previous systems did not work well. Hence, I leave that judgment to those who had closely monitored those systems. However, this article looks at the students’ expectations for the next leadership. Since South Sudanese students in Uganda are at the eve of their elections season, it is prudent to give some hints on how the new leadership should perform.

First, there are traits that need to be considered when electing new leaders for Students’ Union in Uganda. With over ten thousand South Sudanese students at the Universities, colleges and High schools in Uganda, it is vital that a leadership that really meets the expectations of these massive numbers is elected.

Meeting the expectations in this case doesn’t mean paying the students tuition but rather means supporting students morally so that they are in harmony with their various institutions and their immediate neighbours from this country. Most South Sudanese students in Uganda specifically in high schools find it hard to adapt to the systems and the environment. Therefore, these groups need advisory role from the South Sudanese students’ leadership to guide them from drifting off the road.

This responsibility needs someone who is very much connected with the communities and understands the people he leads. It was widely read in the media this year that a South Sudanese Student stabbed to death a Ugandan student. This put our relations at stake with the sisterly country of Uganda. Thus, it is a role of the South Sudanese students’ leadership to supplement the role of our embassy by being connected to different schools to know the unruly attitudes of our students for proactive action.

Secondly, a leader for South Sudanese Students Union should be someone who is civilized and well informed. He/she should be someone who makes good decision, free from tribal mindset and clean from corrupt practices in the previous associations. He should be a confident, a visionary and a courageous person. On top of all, he must be someone who expresses himself well in English.

At least one should meet a thresh hold of leader. It is a shame for the students to be led by someone whose English as the official language of the Union is shaking. If a guest of Honour is invited and a leader of the Union delivers an erroneous speech, or poorly pronounces words, the inerasable negative impression is planted. The national leaders who are the potential financial supporters of the Union are attracted and motivated by the quality of the students’ leaders elected.

Thirdly, the issue of corruption is one of the diseases that kills the reputations of the students’ leaders. Many students contest for leadership for two main reasons; recognition and accessing students’ funds for personal benefits. Multi thousands of US Dollars have been pocketed while there are students who are dropping out and should have been assisted with that money. It is unrealistic to say that all students do not have financial challenges but there should be clear strategies on how the most affected students should be assisted.

As a leader with clear conscience, paying a semester for at least ten students in one year (These must not be one’s relatives or friends) cannot only build a trust but also a great unforgettable assistance of benefits. This credit is missed by putting that small money in one’s pocket where it ends up being consumed in an insignificant manner.

Fourthly, there is also this issue of students who want to remain in the Union as long as they are in Uganda. On this issue, the constitution is not accessible to the students and ones remain wondering on what the constitutional provision is. From a reasonable point of view, those who run the Union this year should not run it the following year. It is clear that a term in office is one year. This is to give chance to other students so that they can change the face or the manner of running the students’ office. Therefore, these self-appointed decision makers should not be allowed to drive the Union in the direction of their choice. Their interest is one, influencing new leaders to divert, divide and put the students’ funds into their pockets.

It is alleged that some of these students who have stuck in the union politics have already encouraged some new unrecognized institutions to subscribe so that they qualify to send delegates as soon as the Union is dissolved. These new delegates from unrecognized institutions are meant to vote for the candidates of the union stagnant politicians’ choices. These will keep these “unwilling-to go group” close to the union for the whole of next term. This is a filthy politics that corrupt the minds of the people that are expected to be leaders in the near future.

Fifthly, the other issue that also needs clarification is the subscription fee for the students in various Universities and colleges. What does the Union do with this money? Union is already being funded by the government, and many government officials do pledge at their own capacity to ensure that the activities of the Union are supported. Why should the Union leaders continue suckling the students that are not benefiting from their activities?

If it is about the registration for the sake of submitting the names to the Embassy, then that can be handled through a small subscription at the universities level. A subscription of 5 000 Ugandan Shillings is enough for both the Universities unions and the Mother Union till that particular student graduates. Students should only subscribe once, not every year. This constitutional provision on subscription is irrational.

The Students’ Union should not apply the perception that a Lak Nuer legendary Kulang Tot described the government as Nei ti pɛlpɛl ti cham ke nyiin naath (canny people who consume public assets).

The continuation of the existence of Students Union in Uganda should be determined by the quality of leadership that meets the expectations of the Students. At a time of national economic crisis like now, the students do not expect much from the Union but commitment, transparency and accountability to be the guiding principles. Therefore, it is anticipated that the next leadership should be committed to review the policies of the Union and renew the reputation as a precedent for the subsequent leaderships.

Finally, the most recent leaders and the current leadership should be applauded for their role in maintaining the Union. Mr. Magok Chuol must be appreciated for lobbying for funds that later sustained the Union at a time when the national crisis could not allow much support from the nation.

Mr. Niin Tut must be appreciated for helping a number of students with the Union money. Lastly, Mr. Makuei Aguer, the outgoing leader deserves appreciation for showing amazing qualities of a leader by always attending functions on invitations and clarifying issues related with the Union.

The author is a student in Kampala and can be reached at: mayenreech@gmail.com or +256 772 727 857

This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists.

Is Dictator Salva Kiir’s 28 States policy, a mean to kill CPA-II?

Posted on October 5, 2015

Author by: Walgak Chuol Bel,

Bieh Telegraph/The great people of South Sudan have been subjected to a great devastative civil war as of the failure of the PLM leaderships in managing their disagreement on the reform agenda within the partylevel in conjunction to their disagreement on the party convention.

The factors which had accelerated the disagreement among the SPSLM leaders were the gross violations of constitution which were witnessed through unlawful removal of elected governors of Lakes and Bentiu States without following the legal frame work which was laydown in the constitutions when an elected governor is removed.

However, the dissolution of cabinets on 23th July 2013 by dictator SalvaKiir to get rid of politicians who were vocal on his bad governance policy-dictatorship and its gross violations constituted the political momentum against the regime.

The gross violations of the constitutionhad led to the successful unity of purpose of some seniors leaders who were in different SPLM political camps (Deputy Chairperson of SPLM DrRiek, GS PaganAmum and Madam Rebecca ) to form a one political group to face their common political rival, the SalvaKiir group, which comprised of some seniors SPLM leaders and formers seniors National Congress Party of Khartoum.

Although the unity of purpose of SPLM leaders to get rid of the dictatorship regime was betrayed and weakened by the position of former political detainee of forming a third bloc by refused to join Resistant movement to continued waging political war to get of dictatorship after SPLM/A IO campaign for their release. Nevertheless, the resistant against the dictatorship by those SPLM factional groups were not betrayed.

The dissolution of SPLM party structures by presidential decree constituted the base of violation of the party bylaw and its guiding principle, this granted a point of rupture of SPLM leadership.

These actionsof party dissolutions by dictator SalvaKiir had enabled the seniors SPLM leaders, who were not participating seriously in the SPLM convention campaign and reform agenda to take a bold decision of joining hands with DrMachar, Pagan and Mama Rebecca, emerged as group under the unity of purpose and successful held Dec 6^th 2013 Juba conference to enlighten the general public about SPLM crisis.

Although the SPLM situations seem manageable, this has not been the case due the great mistrust among the SPLM leaders induced by their political difference. The Dec 8 2013 conference, by dictator SalvaKiir group,had incited the mass by quoting “the bitter splits”, the 1991.

Its constitutional and political rights for any person to express his or her willingness and readiness to contest political post in his or her party but those who were blaming DrRiek for declaring his candidacy for SPLM chairmanship against dictator SalvaKiirwere not only bias in their sense but also had attempted to deprive DrRiekMachar of his political rights.

Why blaming only DrRiek, not Pagan Amum and Mama Rebecca, who had equally declared their interest to challenges SalvaKiir in party convention?

I see it as unfair claims. Those who were blaming DrRiek on his decision to challenges SalvaKiirin convention should blame first the constitution of South Sudan and party bylaw which give rights to any member of a party to contest as his or her wish.

Dictator SalvaKiirhad plunged our beloved people and the country in to such a huge crisis while he has no single plan to reverthis own created war due to the lack of reverse gears and instead he has chosen the path of war.

While the world leaders choose peace for people of South Sudan which is why they had joined hands to helps the South Sudanese citizens to get out of their own mess, but so surprisingly, the South Sudanese leaders notably Juba faction are still doing the oppose and resisting the peaceful mean to end the current conflicts, which was settled in August by signed a peace deal.

Why it’s so difficult for South Sudanese leaders specially the SPLM in Government to accept the peaceful mean of ending the conflict? Should be a resistant to justice and accountability that were put forth by the CPA-2? Should this be the refusal of CPA-2 for designated DrRiek as first Vice president?

Should this be a resistant againstthe CPA-2 for giving the two oil rich states to SPLM-IO? Or should it be resistant against the demilitarization of Juba?

Dictator SalvaKiir refused to ink the peace deal on the stipulated dateline by the mediators and asked for two more weeks to further consults with his inner circle, a call that deserve criticism and condemnation since he knows that he was coming to sign a peace deal, but he did not see any sanction as per the warning on missing dateline.

Due to maximum pressure mounted on his Juba regime by the international community and the IGAD-Plus then dictator SalvaKiirchanged his mind and apprehendedhis signature in Juba, which was not even an officially recognized peace mediation venue, which was not even challenged although it deserve condemnation. With this violation he has not seen a serious condemnation and then he continues his way of doing things.

Although people were not informed officially by IGAD-plus as to why dictator SalvaKiir was unable to apprehend his signature in Addis Ababa, people appreciate his decision to sign even though it was late.

His refusal to sign the peace deal in Addis Ababa made me so suspiciouson his seriousness toward peace and I try gave a different versions. Some people were saying that SalvaKiir failed to come to Addis Ababa to sign peace deal due to pressure within his government from anti peace elements such as MakueiLueth and MalongAwan. I have different insight on this.

But I have been viewing dictator SalvaKiir’s absent from Addis Ababa to add his signature as lack of seriousness and commitment for peace. However, I am seeing the Salvakiir’s signature in Juba as way of pursued by some IGAD members countries, which is nothing but an attempt to help him against the looming sanctions.

As lack of serious commitment for peace deal, dictator SalvaKiir during his signing of CPA-2, he said that the peace documents is neither a bible nor Quran, and it should be open for negotiation and with this remark the world leaders and IGAD-plus did not took him seriously, the he continues his business as usual.

Although he signed, he attached observation lists. If the world accepted this, then it would be SalvaKiir’s offer to opposition as take or of leave it, then this need total rejection.

I strongly believed that SalvaKiir would not have apprehended his signature had it not been an enough pressure from the mediators and powerful peace actors.

SalvaKiir was not ready for peace that was why he refused to signed the peace deal on the dateline, the 17^th of August and he had refused to come to Addis Ababa to have added his signature, but IGAD-plus beg him to apprehended his signature in Juba without justification.

This IGAD-plus approach has made SalvaKiir something else. SalvaKiir would have been ordered to come to Addis Ababa and failure to attend Addis Ababa summit would amount to sanctions. But the world is not handling this issues of South Sudan with serious and commitment.

Dictator SalvaKiirhad killed thousands South Sudanese Nuer, but he had stand a chance for being not condemned globally although the genocide happened in the international city-Juba where very nation has global present. The dictator that the world be come toothless and can not get rid of him as have now connected his regime with China and Russia. What is China and Russia to the wester?

The recent decision of 28 states creation is business as usual and it should not be taken in isolation or an as exceptional case. Therefore, its the same anti peace spirits which was seen from his refusal to sign the peace as per official dateline on 17^th of August and the same reason which did not come to Addis Ababa to apprehend his signature on official peace deal venue. Still IGAD-plus and the world are taking silent path. This kinds peace violation by Juba regime deserves serious confrontation and condemnations across the regional and international perspective.

The motive behind 28 states creation is not only mean to kills the recent signed international peace deal which amount to a serious violation but also a declaration of the war to add more suffering and creating more orphans by prolong over the implementation.

SalvaKiir’speace delegation refused to talks about the federalism during the peace negotiation in Addis Ababa citing the lack of resources and that it should not be imposed on people; mean that it should be done through the referendum exercise to give citizens a right to choose.

The world leaders and IGAD plus in particular should ask Juba regime with the following questions. When did the South Sudanese held a referendum to decide on federal system as mean of governance system in South Sudan? Where did Juba get the resource to implement the federal system, which they were against citing the lack of resources for implementation? Why did Juba refused initially during the negation table to talks about federal system?

The policy had created more states for Dinka, a one-ethnicitypeople group, a mean to rally Dinka ethnic people groupbehind his flaw policy.

Instead of more states to Dinka ethnic people group, the policy have awarded and created the Dinka ethnic people group oil and gas states, to own national resources that suppose to be used to development the nation at large.

There is no base as to why Dinka ethnic people group are getting more states over others ethnicities in the countries but I can concluded that this move is a part of the “usual tribalism practice” in the dictator SalvaKiir lead government.

The policy had created and awarded few states for others ethnicities, a motive to rally them behind the regime and to abandon the rebellion. This is a part of divide and rule policy. South Sudanese people were not fighting the regime to get more states instead of their own freedom and democracy which they have been robbed of by JCE and dictator SalvaKiir.

People of South Sudan need peace more than newly created 28 states; dictator SalvaKiir need to be correctly told this is a fact.

Might be dictator SalvaKiir was wrongly informed that the people of South Sudan need more states more than peace itself and that if he created more states for them then they would abandon the rebellion.

But there is a good reason and cause for people of South Sudan rise up against the dictatorship regime that should not be abandon with fake states creations.

If no peace under his regime, how do people abandon the rights of defending themselves against imposed war?Will more states bring peace really? Will the management of more states be much easier than the former ten states?

South Sudanese people need only peace, then they think dictator SalvaKiir would bring peace because they need peace than more states.

Dictator SalvaKiir should stop the ongoing devastating the civil war by ordering the permanent ceasefires; stop his troops from attacking army opposition military base and stop killing of civilians in Equatoria regions, then creating more states in which some of them remain at large.

How will he governance those states that are fully and partially under the control of SPLM/A in opposition and how will those states under opposition come in to his course?

Juba regime is not interesting in bringing peace to the South Sudanese people who need peace utmost but thinking of wining the war militarily, a nightmare dream would prefer it.

The failure of international community to condemn initials has made dictator SalvaKiir hopeful there the human right is dead and he can not be dispose military, therefore The lack of serious action against dictator SalvaKiir has made him world crazy one.

Recommendation and Conclusions

Call on IGAD plus,UN, US and EU to condemn dictator SalvaKiir’s violation of CPA-2 and call for sanction in failure to revoke his decision and fully implement the peace.
Call on South Sudanese to priority and embrace peace and to condemn this destructive policy.
Call on regional and international community to condemn the resumption of fighting in greater Upper Nile region and sanction those who will be found responsible on the attacks.
Call on South Sudanese to choose freedom over the path of dictatorship
Call for immediate withdrawal of Ugandan and others foreign troops fighting on dictator SalvaKiir side.
Call on IGAD-plus to reject SalvaKiir’s reservation list.
Call on Western to accompany the serial dictator SalvaKiir up to gate of hell since he had made himself an obstacle for South Sudanese peace implementation.
Call on UN to relocated South Sudan IDPs to secure places either in South Sudan or neighboring countries.

The author is a South Sudanese citizen and student in India and can be reached at belkwenywhar@hotmail.com.

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This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists.

28 STATES, A CLEAR AND AN ABSOLUTE DISHONOR OF THE JUST SIGNED COMPROMISE PEACE AGREEMENT (CPA)

Posted on October 4, 2015

By: Gatluak Khot Keat,

October 04, 2015 (The Bieh Telegraph)-–In the wake of unanticipated presidential edict seen on the state owned SSTV on the 2nd October, 2015, mixed reactions have been drawn by the unlooked-for creation of 28 states. A move ascertained as a clear and an absolute dishonor of the recently signed compromise peace agreement.

The biggest question that rings in the head of everyone is; “what is the essence and rationale behind creating more states and under what circumstance should such states exist when in the peace pact, there known only 10 states?”

In lieu of the compromise peace agreement, it wholly stands apparent that every provision in the document reads within the framework of 10 states. If 28 states are whimsically created, are we being informed that the recently signed CPA is at the threshold of abolishment? Or are we being taken back to renegotiate on the basis of the 28 states?

Notably, it has been comprehensive from the background of federalism engineered by the SPLM/A Chairman and the designated first Vice President Dr. Riek Machar that 21 states were created and declared in line with the former districts formed under the British administration. A quest that Juba Government turned down under the false pretense that popular consultation had to be given a chance to determine the fate of federal system of governance. What then happened to the room given to the popular consultation that the unexpected expansion of states cropped up? The answer might stand to reason that people did not want to buy Dr Riek’s idea of federal system which led to the transformation of the old districts into states.

Unconstitutionally, the act was done without the knowledge of the parliament. That exercise undermines the role of the parliament which is deemed essential to participate in the initialization process. There could be no ground to shun the parliament only to decree the creation of more states. The law makers are the representatives of all the constituencies across South Sudan. And as a matter of necessity, the assembly should have been consulted on the matter prior to putting it on air. Who then influenced the acceptance of the thought that was rejected in the first place? Could the Jieng Council of Elders (JCEs) be the consultants in the process which resulted to increase of states from 10 to 21?

Hitherward, a few underlying interest among others behind unilaterally creating 28 states is analyzed as follow:
State of Confusion: The move is observed as a matter of throwing a bone of contention that would cause dissention among the people. There shall emerge sharp divisions between those who criticize the move and them who support it. Everyone feels that it is right to have the newly created 28 states, but the manner in which such an expansion is based remains questionable. Thus, a dilemma is created. If the government leaves it for people, it will have to mean the business and if it reconsiders its position, it will not be accepted by the citizens. There we have got to say that one is the cause of what impedes him from sleeping.

Oil interest: Much as oil remains the leading economic booster, the Juba Government might have discerned that some states among the 21 states within the three regions could not benefit from the oil resource in Upper Nile region. Consequently, the resultant is the creation of 28 states along the tribal lane in an attempt to disassemble the oil producing states granted to the SPLM/A by the CPA.

Awkward position: Another interest realized in such a move is that the government has placed Riek Machar in an awkward position. Apparently, the Juba Government puts itself in the shoes of Dr. Riek so as to see him opposed to what he initially engineered. In other words, the government sets Riek to go against his own agenda for federalism.

Credibility: Above all, the president creates the 28 states in order to win the support from the South Sudanese after sensing that he is out on a limb. The president in that case seems to gather back up as he maintains hope to vie for presidency comes 2018.

Having a flashback of the history, Dr. Riek‘s agenda have more often than not been used against him. The two practical instances are: the 2005 CPA which ensued from the document of 1997 peace agreement. Dr. Garang used the process and succeeded. After all, he won the credit. Today, the 28 states on the process of executing the federal system plan emerge as a matter of modification from the initially proposed 21 states although such states may not be effective in the transitional government of national unity.

Hitherto, something tells my conscience that the first 21 states proposed by Dr. Riek coincide with 21 years of struggle under Dr. John Garang and the other 28 states created by Kiir coincide with the 28 August declaration of self-determination by Dr. Riek.
Ultimately, the creation of more states does not sound bad, but it occurs at the wrong time. It is worth taking into account that both parties should have brought their heads together first and set up the process of attaining federal democratic South Sudan. The states to create should not as well exceed the proposed 21 states so that the known 1956 boundaries have meanings. Any declaration arbitrarily made when the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) is underway is unacceptable and may be seen as an out and out violation of the CPA.

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This entry was posted in IGAD, Opinion and Columnists.

I Questioned the Logic Behind the Creation of 28 States by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Posted on October 4, 2015

By: Malek Cook-Dwach, Kampala-Uganda

“Good Ideas are produced by Healthy Mind”

October 04, 2015 (The Bieh Telegraph)—On personal note: the tribal sediments is deeply rooted beyond repair and manifested to the greater degree that verses the nationhood.

In the onset of historical movements of South Sudanese people from pre-independent to post independent era; the extra-juridical killing continue base on ethnic identities in the pretext of claiming and hijacking the historic legacy.

It was alleged that the incumbent Dinka Council of Elders (DCE) once formulated 39 laws against Nuer on 23/12/2003 in Yei under the chairmanship of Justice Daniel Awet Akot, could this meeting be what triggered door to door massacre of ethnic Nuer in 2013 from the inside Capital City Juba under the supervision of the President Salva Kiir Mayardit?

The recruitment of Dut ku beny nick named mathiang Anyoor speaks volume in the implementation of 39 laws against Nuer ethnic group which was well designed by Dinka Council of Elders (DCE) long time ago and the President Kiir Mayardit is a chief architecture Engineer of this process forgetting that he is president to everyone because he is branded by tribal mindset.

When this kind of politic comes into play, it was provoked by fear of sharing the national cake and political reforms to revitalize the system because the Dinka Council of Elders (DCE) are direct beneficiary in the system and prefer status quo. The culture of payback is what destroying the World newly nation (South Sudan). There are those who called themselves liberators and demand rewarding in the expense of the poor.

Coming back to the topic, I don’t see any reason behind claiming what is not your initiative as seen in creating of 28 States by President Kiir while it was early proposed by SPLM-IO to be 21 States base on colonial rule with known boundaries, if Juba government buy this idea, they could wait for transitional government formation for it to be legislated in the national parliament in line with permanent constitution.

I doubt the creation of 28 States was gesture of goodwill from President, as stated by Mark Twain that ‘’ When you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”

The President supposes to succumbed give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and gives to God what belongs to God. The Idea for President having Dinka Council of Elders (DCE) as his Presidential aides was wrong in the first place because it does not reflect the diversity of South Sudanese.

I am also skeptical for President Speech’s writers because in several occasions there appeared a forged and plagiarized speeches. On Monday April 27, 2015 when Salva Kiir addresses the newly graduated students from Juba University he plagiarized President of Rwanda Paul Kagame speech when he addressed his home country students on the 21 of April 2015 in Rwanda. Available on the links below htt://www.newtimes.c.orw/article/2015-4-13/187797/
Kiir speeches on 27, April, 2015:
Htt://talkofjuba.comsouth-sudan/738-no-government-jobs-for-graduate-kiir

When Kiir signs compromise peace agreement (CPA2) in August 26, 2015, he also plagiarized the famous quote from Ja’afer Niemery when he abrogated the Addis Ababa peace Agreement in 1972, when he says ‘’This peace is neither Quran nor Bible.”

For somebody been to quality schools it is always discouraged and prohibited to forged and plagiarized somebody else words by mean of copy and paste because plagiarism is a crime punishable by law.

Seeing somebody with high profile like head of state plagiarizing speeches is an insult to the sovereignty of our country and also questioning the educational capacities of President Speech’s writers.

Creation of 28 States could be the work of Council of States as per the transitional constitution of South Sudan bestowed upon them power to alter or change the name of any state if deem to.

The unilateral decision taken by Mr President Salva Kiir meets with mixed reactions and condemnation inside South Sudan and Diaspora intellectual circles.

The Author is Researcher and Media Commentator, reachable at malekcook75@gmail.com.

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This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists.

Riek Machar’s 21 States Null & Void, Lou-Nuer State under Consideration

Posted on September 29, 2015

September 29, 2015 (The Bieh Telegraph)–-This brief statement goes to believers of 21 States created by Riek Machar after his failed coup attempt on December 15^th 2013. After evading arrest on that fateful night, Riek and other coup plotters fled to Lou-Nuer land for protection and upon arrival led them in declaring that he was going to wage war of resistance against Juba. In his usual political gimmick, Riek started to advocate for adoption of federalism as preferred system of governance in the country. In a haste aimed at soliciting political and military support he decreed creation of 21 states based on former 21 districts established during British colonial rule. Withou sufficient consultations, carrying out viability & feasibility studies, he appointed state governors interestingly even in places where SPLA IO had presence.

The glory of being members of imaginary national and state legislatures, cabinet ministers of showdown state governments and county commissioners, regional commanders based in Addis Ababa and other regional capitals provided short lived satisfaction and titles deemed necessary during introductions at private and public functions.

The euphoria of being this and that abruptly and unceremoniously came to an end at stroke of a pen when the mischievous rebel chief signed flawed Compromised Peace Agreement (CPA Two) on August 17^th 2015, a document which confirmed his position as First Vice President designate in would be formed Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU) but rendered null & void 21 states he created and governors appointed along with numerous near to useless institutions established. For those who were successfully black mailed up to the point at which Riek signed CPA Two, hold no grudges against this well-known Professor of use and dump policy who has gained notoriety for destroying lives & properties, ending or messing up promising political and military careers as a result of leading 1991 and 2013 splits. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel for sons and daughters from Greater of Akobo who had outlived their political and military usefulness in Riek’s now defunct camp. The good news though is that the dream of having a state for the people Greater of Akobo is still much alive and would only be achieved through peaceful engagement with the democratically elected President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The process of getting an administrative area or state for the people of Greater Akobo is being championed by South Sudan Resistance Movement/Army using dialogue and other peaceful means to advance this noble demand. For the first in in South Sudanese politics, reasoning and other persuasive methods are being used to convince the President and other leaders about the cost benefits in terms of viability, sustainability and feasibility of creating a State for Lou-Nuer people (Greater Akobo).

For first time readers, it’s worth mentioning that SSRM/A leaders led by its founder Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang on 30^th March 2015 met at State House-Juba with H.E. President on the need to consider granting a state for the people of Greater Akobo. A document justifying this noble demand based on sound reasoning was submitted and is currently under serious consideration by H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardi.

The leadership of SSRM/A appeals to sons and daughters from Greater Akobo who are disenfranchised with Riek’s leadership to join hands and work with H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit in rebuilding & reconstructing our country and realize dream of having a Lou-Nuer State within a peaceful South Sudan.

For believers of this eventuality, rest assured that President Salva Kiir Mayardit has the political will and constitutional mandate to decree creation of Lou-Nuer State and it won’t be long before this comes to fruition. Attached are contents of the same document submitted to H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit detailing reasons why he should consider granting a state to the people of Greater Akobo (Lou-Nuer)

Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang,

Leader of SSRM/A

Justification for Proposed Lou-Nuer State (Greater Akobo Administrative Area-Lou State)

Background:

The Lou-Nuer is one of the sub-nationalities of Nuer Nation. It is the single largest Nuer cultural group on eastern bank of the White Nile River. According to the results of 2008 National Census, the population of the Lou-Nuer was at 450,000. The vast Lou-Nuer land borders Gawaar-Nuer in the west, Anyuak in the east, Murle in the South, Jikany-Nuer northeast and different sections of the Dinka tribe southwest and northwest. The Lou-Nuer had been at conflict with their neighbors for years over grazing lands, water points and other resources.

Reasons Justifying Demand for the Establishment of Lou-Nuer State

Population:

As mentioned in the brief background information above, the combined population of the three Greater Lou-Nuer counties of Akobo, Nyirol and Wuror was at 450,000 according to disputed 2008 National Census. This number exceeds the prerequisite stipulated in the national constitution for any given entity to demand the creation of a state.

Size of the land:

The land inhabited by Lou-Nuer tribe is larger than the size of Uganda and Rwanda combined. The vastness of the land makes governance and provision of security services difficult.

Distance:

The distance from the state capital Bor is estimated at over 300km compounded by lack of roads connecting all counties. This in turn hinders normal internal movements and engagement in meaningful economic activities.

Insecurity:

Communal clashes are common occurrences. Establishing a state for Greater Lou Nure people would bring security services closer to the people and enhance rapid and timely responses during disturbances.

Lack of Facilities:

Greater Akobo lacks roads, health care facilities, schools, permanent water points and grazing lands. Establishing a state would help in bringing services closer to the people thus realizing SPLM’s vision of taking towns to the village.

Lou Nuer Geopolitics and Cultural Landscape:

Lou Nure community’s nationalism and resolute have been abused to fight unnecessary wars. Sad instances are the Dr. Riek Machar repeated sectarian and wars of treasons in 1991 and the ongoing conflict (2013-2015). During these unfortunate occurrences, thousands of Lou-Nuer got killed which had direct negative impact on their overall numerical strength. It is high time to explore the favorable condition of decentralization to devolve more federal powers to communities. Our quest for Greater Lou Nure State is based on our revolutionary ideals and that of SPLM. In that SPLM Constitution 2008 mandates the following:

Article 5(2) Decentralization and devolution of powers.
Article 5(7) Participatory Democracy, respect of democratic institution, and collective leadership.
Article 36(4) of SSTC (2011) mandates composition of government at all levels shall take into account Ethnic [nationality], regional and social diversity in order to promote unity and command national loyalty.

SPLM Manifesto 2008 proclaimed that democracy should be granted to communities as follow:

Section IV.10: Decentralization system of governance that would bring power closer to the Peoples, and is characterized by popular participation, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, consensus-seeking orientation, effectiveness and abidance by the rule of law, so that the Peoples of [South] Sudan are provided with necessary conducive environment for accelerated socio-economic development ad increased happiness.

Furthermore, the SPLM Manifesto explicitly proclaimed system of governance under section IV.11 to be based on;

Restructuring of the power of the central government in a manner that would take into account the interests of all the [South] Sudanese, especially those of marginalized regions, [small population nationalities], and impoverished socio-economic groups, and
A decentralized power structure redefining the relation between [Capital] and the regions [states] with a view to devolving more federal powers to the regions [states] and, where and when necessary, full autonomy.

Giving Greater Lou Nure there federal state shall enhance the process to keep the community and its leadership engaged in developmental programs hence will have no time to participate in subversive activities against the state.

Marginalization by the state government:

The people of Greater Lou-Nuer feel economically marginalized and dominated by their neighbors from Greater Bor hence would prefer to have their own state.

Animosity:

The level of animosity, hatred and mistrust between the peoples of Greater Lou-Nuer and Bor has reached unmanageable levels as demonstrated by the killing of some Dinka community taking refuge at UNMISS camp in Akobo and revenge killing of Nuers at UNMISS camp in Bor on 17^th April 2014. In the best interest of future peaceful co-existence, it would be better for them to have their separate states where the administration of the neighboring states shall mutually address their common interest. Forceful unity under one community may fuel the feelings of hegemony and resistance. Jobism by politicians is used innocent civilians to fight for limited centralized government jobs have used such sentiments throughout the country. Devolving more federal powers to communities shall make them self-reliance and would therefore seek unity in diversity and not through assimilation and demonizing as encouraged by sectarian politicians. Majority of communities would then seek collaboration and fraternal sharing of common natural resources. Federated governance shall bring decision to the Traditional Authority Leaders instead of them being sidelined now by sectarian politics.

Lou-Nuer at Crossroads:

In the last 32 years, Lou-Nuer people took center stage in recurrent south –south conflicts (1983-1987,1991-2002 and ongoing 2013-2015) and each time a temporary political cum military settlement is reached, they would end up the biggest losers in terms of not getting satisfactory representation in the executive, judiciary, legislature organs and other key positions in security forces. The recently signed CPA Two between the government of the Republic of South Sudan and SPLM/SPLA rebels especially power sharing ratios which gave the former powers to appoint the government of Jonglei State once again confirmed Lou-Nuer’s reservations and fears of getting a bad deal whenever a settlement is found. The entire Lou-Nuer population in rebel held territories felt betrayed by their leader Dr. Riek Machar for giving away a land they had successfully defended at a high cost. The power sharing arrangements in Jonglei State inevitably and unwillingly pushed the people of Lou-Nuer back into the hands of the government whom they resisted so much to an extend that it won’t be easy for members of this community to mingle and feel free at state and national levels. However, H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit has a constitutional mandate to turn around Lou-Nuer’s dilemma and genuine feelings that they are at crossroads into political and military opportunities by winning their trust, minds and hearts through granting of an administrative areas (State) hence fulfilling an empty and elusive promise Riek Machar had repeatedly use over the years to win their support but reneges or does not enshrine it in any final agreement especially whenever he succeeds in accomplishing his usual primary objective of getting power.

Benefits of Establishing a State for the People of Greater Akobo

Enjoy dividends of self and shared rule
Establishing a State would be used to persuade/convince them to support GRSS which has granted it.
Raise local taxes and revenues for state building

Benefits of Greater Akobo State to the National Government and Neighbors

Reduce rampant insecurity
Raise and contribute taxes to the national government
Contribute towards overall nation building

Your true partner in search of just and sustainable peace in Greater Akobo (Lou-Nuer)

Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang,

Leader of SSRM/A

This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists.

The Nuer Tribe of South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Posted on September 22, 2015

By: Thokhat Khor Wiu,

Sept 22, 2015 (The Bieh Telegraph)—-I did not know much about the Nuer sections and entire culture until December 27, 2014 when Honorable Reath Muoch Tang appointed me as a director of Community and Public Affairs in SPLM Mission Office in Washington, DC.

This experience taught me so much about the sections of Nuer tribe and their culture.

Thanks to the Representative to the United States Hon. Reath Muoch for assigning me to this important task of organizing all South Sudanese Communities in the US who are supporting the Opposition party under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar. I intend to extend my study to the other South Sudanese tribes in the United States, but for now, this article is about the Nuer tribe of South Sudan and Ethiopia.

The Nuer tribe is a part of an African group of people whose culture is bound up in the survival of their cattle and pastoralism across the South Sudan and western Ethiopian State known as Gambella. This culture helps members of the Nuer to identify themselves as self-reliant and independent-minded. As of today, the Nuer culture still exists within four sections in each corner of society.

Nuer are divided into four sections who share the same culture and economic system and have expanded throughout many areas of the South Sudan and western Ethiopia. These sections are called Gawaar, Eastern Jikany, Lich and Lou Nuer. Gawaar are located in Jonglei (Phow State) and according to Abraham Tuom (personal communication, May 20, 2015) they are divided into three subsections including Laak, Gawar and Thiang.

Eastern Jikany currently can be found in two states of South Sudan and Ethiopia, namely Adar State and Sobat State, and Gambella, a state of Western Ethiopia. Eastern Jikany are divided into five subsections, Thiang, Gaguong, Ciereng, Gajiok and Gaguang. Thiang, Gaguong and Ciereng are located in Uppernile State (Adar State) and Gambella Ethiopia, whereas Gajiok and Gaguong are located in Uppernile State (Sobat State) and Gambella, Ethiopia.

The Lich subsection is located in Unity State (Lich State), according to Gatkier Machar (personal communication, March 6, 2015), Lich are also known as Bentiu Nuer and are divided into six subsections, Laak, Bul, Jikany, Jagay, Dok, and Nyuong. Lou Nuer live in Jonglei (Bieh State) and Gambella Ethiopia.

In a conversation with Thomas Chan Puot (personal communication, May 26, 2015), he said that Lou are divided into two subsections, Muor and Gon. Muor are further divided into three sections Jajah, Jimach and Galiak.

They live mainly in the Akobo area along the Akobo river of Bieh State. The other subsection Gon is divided into two other sections, Ciedak who live mainly in Uror area and Gaba live in the Nyirol area.

According to John Garang Dau, the Founder and President of the Sudanese Institute of Technology who currently lives in Illinois and is a member of Dinka Bor from Jonglei State(personal communication, March 4, 2015), the Lou are, “brave and a people who like to have their voice heard all the time.

They like to defend what is right and fight for the voice of the voiceless community who may not defend themselves, which was made obvious by the way they responded to the massacre of innocent people in Juba on December 15-18 of 2013 by the current President Salva Kiir Mayardit.” This response to the killing that occurred on December 15-17 is an example of not just the Lou Nuer, but all sections of Nuer.

This aspect of the culture is found is found in childhood through adulthood and because of this, their culture of pastoralism and cattle has managed to survive and thrive across the South Sudan and western Ethiopia.

From my observation it becomes necessary at a very young age to gain good survival instincts in order to live and prosper. As a child, the expectation is that he or she be able to watch the cows while they are out during the day grazing away from home alone.

This is dangerous as there are many wild animals including poisonous snakes, lions, leopards and hyenas forcing the child to remain focused and ready to fight in order to protect the cows and themselves. As the children grow older they remain involved with the care of the cattle, but their duties change.

The single young men have the duty of moving the cows safely from place to place as seasons change and the green grass is available elsewhere. This means long treks through dry places to the next waterhole, sleeping outdoors and hunting for food. They also have to protect the cattle from thieves, especially from the neighboring tribes. This prepares the young man for any sort of conflict related to people or animals.

The life out of doors following the cattle also gives the young man a chance to meet and talk to the single girls of neighboring clans or sections and to form relationships with them.
Before marriage the girls have almost as much freedom as the young men and they also are able to travel and meet other groups of single girls and guys while following the cows to the dry season cattle camps.

Their duties also involve the cows, but in a different manner. Milking the cattle and cleaning up after them is included in their daily chores as is food preparation and working in the garden. This lifestyle does change somewhat, though, as the young people become married and start families. Once married, the duties remain much the same but on a larger scale as they now have to care for their own cows and family.

Marriage and cattle both evolve around each other and are important to the economic base of Nuer. When a young man chooses a girl to marry, his family and the girl’s family have to discuss a possibility of blood relationship and whether or not there are any past bad relations between the families.

On the man’s side, there has to be seven generations separating the families and on the girl’s side, there has to be five generations separating the families. It is also important to know whether or not there have been any murders perpetrated between the families.

As this, if discovered to have happened, could stop the discussions and halt any further progress towards marriage. Once blood relations and murders are discussed, the families can move on to the engagement.

The first thing to do to celebrate an engagement is for the man’s family to give one cow to the girl’s family, which is the equivalent of giving a ring in the western culture. This is a promise of marriage. During this time of engagement, there may be several gifts exchanged between the families, and an increase of respect applied between the families and the couple enabling them the opportunity for open meeting and conversation without fear of family member interference. This openness allows the families to discuss the wedding date.

At the actual wedding, the family members discuss the number of cows expected to be paid and if they are actually available and when they will be paid. The number of cows is fixed throughout all the different sections of Nuer. Each relative of the man’s family will provide one or more cows towards the price. Payments can be made depending on the availability of the cows throughout the marriage instead of all at once.

This method of payment of cows for wives and the cows’ movement between families and sections of Nuer has kept the culture and its economy alive for hundreds years.

Understanding the manner in which the Nuer live from childhood through marriage surrounded by cattle gives a better understanding of how they have been able to survive for hundreds of years as a tribe. Not only have they survived, but they have thrived, settling across much of eastern South Sudan and western Ethiopia.

With an economy based on cattle and their self-reliance, they have not needed aid or intervention until recently with civil war and the creeping in of western culture. Even with great change in the land and in how life is lived, the Nuer will survive and thrive as they have through past generations, having been instilled with the need for independence, strength and self-reliance.

Author is Thokhat Khor Wiu
I can be reach at ikhorwiu@yahoo.com.

If you want to submit an opinion piece or an analysis please email it to biehtelegraph@gmail.com

This entry was posted in Opinion and Columnists.

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