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Tuesday, 22nd May 2012

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Upper Nile State Deputy Governor False Allegation

Details: Created on Tuesday, 15 December 2009 13:34

BY: Urbano Tipo, SUDAN

With due respect, one would like to refute the false allegations aired by Deputy Governor on South Sudan Television on Saturday about the ambush on his vehicle/convoy by what he termed SPLM-DC militia. First and foremost, before one could category refute his statements it is better to explain to the honorable what Shilluk view on militia is?

The Shilluk from the beginning of the war did not favor formation of militia within their tribe or even sustain the idea of Militia. They supported SPLM and joined SPLA in their numbers. They term militia in their language “Abith Ngony”. Hopefully, the Deputy Governor will find somebody to translate the word for him in Dinka Language. In the past some politicians tried to form Shilluk Militia but were met with full resistance and eventually failed. Thus; there will be no Shilluk Militia whatever the case.

When CPA was signed and SPLA was re-organizing, most Shilluk SPLA soldiers were abundant and they chose to retired into their respective villages. Other SPLA from Shilluk were dispersed into other forces like fire brigades, wild-life and police. There are those still hopeful in Juba waiting for their confirmation. They are referred to as “Unconfirmed Forces” During the disarmament; George Athur was responsible for disarming the Shilluk. He took all the guns and only God knows where he has taken them.

It is well known condition that for a political party to register it must not have an armed wing or militia as a pre-requisite. It was on these bases why SPLM-DC was registered as an operational political in Sudan although recently boned to operate in South Sudan. It is only exceptional for SPLM which was registered and it has an army. The honorable Deputy Governor is Brigadier-General. Most if not all SPLM executives in GoSS and State governments are SPLA Military Officers.

The honorable Deputy Governor was at one point a lieutenant within the ranks of SPLM-United headed by Dr. Lam Akol. There those say that his present post was even recommended by Dr. Lam. During the last SPLM convention, the Shilluk SPLM members supported him instead of Dr. Peter Adwok for the post of SPLM Leader in Upper Nile State. By the rule of thumb, in politics there are no permanent enemies or friends.

It was first heard from Upper Nile State government spoke-person that SPLM-DC Militia attacked Abienem which is known to Dinka as Bienythiang. Bienythiang was created during Operation Life-Sudan as a drop off point for food intended for Dinka in-land as the Shilluk did not want to take the responsibility. Up to now nothing can substantiate that SPLM-DC has Militia. How can SPLM-DC form a tribal Militia to fight Dinka when there are Dinkas in ranks of its party? If there are such Militias what is GoSS/SPLA doing about them? The Brigadier-General; the Deputy-Governor should lead forces to crush them before it comes too late. Other solution is the avenue of Rule of Law. Those who think that SPLM-DC has militia take should its leaders to court to be out-law. These kinds of reckless statements can give SPLM-DC a heavy weight.

The honorable Deputy Governor went for celebration the newly born 13^th County in Upper Nile State i.e. Akoka County which up to now has no clear borders demarcation. One is afraid it may encroach into other tribal lands like what happened in Obang. But is left to the politicians to sort it out.

On his way back from the celebration, Deputy Governor went on air to announce the ambush by SPLM-DC Militias. It is worth noting that the road from Palioch to Malakal is guarded by SPLA soldiers. Where can the said militias come in between to ambush the convoy without being notice by these forces? Some people here in Malakal are suggesting that this ambush was set by SPLA forces for the new governor of Upper Nile State but was relies that he was not in these vehicles.

This road is open to have traffic from North. The same day 15-30 police vehicles passed on the road to Malakal. There was not mention of other forces apart from SPLA were on the road.

So if important SPLM leadership like Deputy Governor can exacerbate and promote conflict among tribes is unbecoming. The only evidence he presented was two Shilluk elderly men who were found traveling along the road and carrying spears. These Shilluk and Dinka tribes on this corridor have been living in peace since they even have blood relationship. It is the Government Ministers in Malakal who are creating hatred among the tribes in order to meet their self ends.

There is hope that one day peace shall prevail when all the tribes will leave together. This is only the guys are removed through elections and the good guys come to power through democratic change.

In conclusion, the Deputy Governor made a gross false allegation against SPLM-DC he can be ask to account for. This is tantamount to personality killing of Dr. Lam Akol. Killing of personality is the worst part of politics when the majority of audiences in South Sudan are illiterate.

Mr. Urbano Tipo can be reached at email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.