USSP Press Release: GoSS’s Impartiality in Addressing Upper Nile State Insecurity

It is indeed a matter of great concern that south Sudan is currently passing through a worrying state of insecurity. But sad still is the fact that most of the procedures taken by the GoSS or even the local authorities in addressing these serious developments have been massively sub-standard and marred by ethnic prejudices.
Now as I write this release, the whole of the Upper Nile State lives in a huge state of terror and insecurity. It must be remembered that, since the tribal confrontations that happened between the Chollo and Dinka Padang Communities during the CPA celebrations one and a half years ago has led to a terrible fall out in relationship between the communities and made worse by issues of controversial and disputable land rights. However, it was the government intervention from the GOSS, a move much marred by tribal favouritism that eventually promoted the current degree of enmity and antagonism that leaves too little room for any sensible reconciliation.
Sadly enough the situation in Malakal the capital of the Upper Nile state, has deteriorated drastically in the last few weeks following the unaccounted for killing of the Chollo Para-mount chief, Oyath Odhok.

However, the procedures taken thereafter by the GoSS ministers of Interior Brigadier Gier Chuang Aloung and his counterpart the former Minister of Legal Affairs that led the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) to unanimously strip all the SPLM-DC's MPs, Hon. Samuel Aban AchIen, Hon. Andrew Okony Ayom, Hon. Martha Angar Kur, and Hon. Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec from their immunities, then followed immediately by what in fact amounted to arbitrary arrests, contradicts the spirit of democracy, human rights and even the basic legal procedures.

In Malakal it was a different scenario where  Hon. Mustafa (Mayak) Gai of the Upper Nile State Legislative Assembly, and citizens, Dr. Odol (George) a pharmacist, Ayul Liebo, Oluny Ackiek Oluny and others were kidnapped at night and taken to unknown destinations. There are reports they were badly tortured and that their tormented families could not have access to them. UNMIS Human Rights and Red Cross were not even allowed to see them. And based on local reports from Malakal Town that since SPLA are killing arrested civilians on daily bases at former SAF HQs, then probably these detainees are not alive as of dated.
At this stage, we would want to state this in the most unequivocal terms that we regret and condemn the killings of the deceased paramount chief and those who were with him, and extend our condolences to their families, friends and relatives. However we must say that it is also extremely important that the right procedures are followed in such cases if the culprits are ever to be brought to justice.

Again, it must be crystal clear to everyone that USSP as a political party has no particular interest to speak on behalf of the SPLM-DC of Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin; however, as a south Sudanese political party we have every obligation to protect any disadvantaged group in South Sudan.  As we address the Chollo community's concerns, we are also keen enough to see that justice is done for all.
Should it be suspected that the murder of the late chief was political motivated, it should be remembered that similar political attacks on citizens'  lives with resultant sad deaths  have already happened in many parts of south Sudan and still continue to happen, yet no such mindless reactions were seen from the side of the SPLM led authorities. Yambio is one such a town where senior police officers lost their lives while on duty. Again a senior lady politician was also savagely murdered and her body left for display in the town's street. Still in Yambio town, not too long, school children were showered with live-bullets by none but the official SPLA soldiers.  Again of recent, an intelligence officer was murdered in Jonglei. All these are dreadful deaths that the same authorities remain reluctant to tackle head-on, and continue to drag their feet on them.

At this time the citizens of Upper Nile state, and especially so the Chollo community feel intensely victimised on purpose and they attribute the current insecurity in the state to SPLM's failures to secure enough parliamentary seats from the state. Obviously, what is largely seen by many in the Chollo community as an act of revenge has been even made worse by the ill-timed disarmament campaigns being carried out by what they resent as predominantly Dinka SPLA soldiers? This last campaign has even targeted the Chollo Kingdom headquarters in Fachoda with premeditated determination even to disarm the Kings body-guards - are issues better revised as they are too volatile for this stage of our history.

There are already countless reports of unexplained disappearances, arbitrary arrests, tortures, mistreatment, harassment, gang rapes,,  etc....within the town of Malakal and its rural communities. Besides, the latest reports talk of Chollo (Shilluk) villages being looted and burned down by the SPLA.
Under all circumstances the politically motivated and maliciously planned arrest of the members of the SSLA and the Upper Nile state assemblies remains condemned in its strongest terms. As the issue at hand doesn't real stand isolated as such, a purely tribal and political vengeance can be clearly seen in display. Otherwise, how on earth can the SPLM-led GoSS allow itself to treat this particular case as if the Chollo Kingdom and Community are all but inseparable from SPLM-DC, and deserve to be punished for the latter's political victories in the state?

Above all it is worth clarifying that even the blood relatives of the deceased Chollo paramount chief have come out openly saying that they don't press charges against the arrested SPLM-DC MPs nor the SPLM-DC political party, and are distancing themselves from what they see as a malignant anti-Chollo campaign being championed by the GoSS Interior Minister, Brigadier Gier Chuang Aloung. 
We call upon the international community and all those commissioned to observe Human Rights abuses, to use their positions to immediately exert pressure on the GoSS. The leadership in the semi-autonomous south Sudan must never be given the wrong signal that they can be allowed to cut corners in addressing issues which are central to human rights and the rule of law, and get away with impunity. Random arrest of political opponents to cover-up what is otherwise a purely criminal act is one thing that should not be tolerated.

The GoSS should immediately revise its approach in this case and cases to come if it is to avert possible tribal antagonism. Senior government officials must observe proper procedures, and the exclusively SPLM dominated SSLA must stop being a mere rubber stamp to everything that the executive presents,  especially pertaining to the kangaroo style and  unjustifiable lifting of  immunities.
The deceased paramount chief and those who died with him deserve justice, as do the SPLM-DC MPs, and the countless members of the Chollo community who found themselves helpless victims of a set up where anyone who choose not to say "Oyeeee", is supposed not to say anything.

DR. Justin Ambago Ramba, MD.
Secretary General
United South Sudan Party (USSP).

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Comments (2)

• 28-06-2010 06:46:56 |Author| achogo

  Yeah Dr. Justin I think this is what we need as Southerners that all Southern Sudan Parties must take action against what is going on from SPLA against civilians, this can be strong position to SPLM the ruling party to change their politics, I think it can make change. Burning the villages of civilians like what is happening know in Fashoda is not acceptable, the army must not use against civilians, they must use to protect them from enemy.
  We need all parties to talk with SPLM for the situations underground before referendum, the unity of Southerners and Insecurity are the biggest issues and challenge for us, all parties must call for conference or workshop to discus these issues together, I think we can come out with good result.
  

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• 28-06-2010 07:42:24 |Author| jalpan

  I hope that all parties would learn from ussp and have say their oppinions about the whole things that are happing and taking place in southern Sudan, and specialy in collo kingdom,may God bless you as you tell the truth and face GoSS with their wrong acts aginst people of southern Sudan.

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