The current Political situation in Upper Nile State
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- Created on Tuesday, 24 February 2009 11:50
- Written by Jwothab Wanh Othow
The current Political situation in Upper Nile State
By: Â Â Deng Mangok
In recent days some leaders of Upper Nile are pressuring for a shake up in the Government of the State. There are no convincing and obvious grounds to persuade the concerned authorities to concede to their demand. However, the incident of January 9, 2009 in Malakal stadium is construed as a pretext for heightening tribal feuds. The cynical objectives aimed at disrupting the Celebration of the 4th Anniversary of the CPA were glaringly disappointing with multiform effects.
1. It was a pre-planned plot by "Chollo nation"-Shilluk tribe -to expose GoSS leadership for an utter failure in controlling law and order. To prove that South Sudan is simply a bunch of ethnic communities which are at all times at feud with one another. This was to expose the South as ungovernable even by Southerners themselves. The President of GoSS was accompanied by most of his cabinet ministers including the Minister of SPLA Affairs and the Chief of Staff with his top military Generals and all high ranking security Officers. Yet this malicious panorama was uncouthly staged by Chollo community by attacking with spears Nuers and Jieng who arrived first and lined up at the entrance of the stadium.
This was to show it evidently to the President of the Republic and the invited International Representatives to see for themselves and to draw the conclusion that South Sudan can not rule itself as an independent nation.
2. The incident was calculated to prove that "Chollo" owns Malakal and should lead the procession of tribal folklore and no other tribes or ethnic folklore can take the lead beside them. To the Chollo, Malakal is not a cosmopolitan city hosting the headquarters of the State for people all over the Sudan and beyond. They claim that Malakal, Panyikang (Tonga), Pashoda (Kodok) and Manyo (Wada-kono) are their counties.The geographical divisions of Upper Nile state as contained in the legal statutes are:1.Estern region comprises of Nasir and Maiwut 2.Gentral region consists of Baliet and Akoko (including Malakal under Sobat Rural council before it as was transferd to Baliet). 3. Northern region consists of Renk, Malut and Maban. 4. Western region comprising of Kodok and Tonga . When the security forces controlled the situation, the Chollo moved away and started to attack Jieng and any non -Chollo that crossed their way.
As a pre-arranged plot, they attacked Jieng at Anak-diar (Ngok), and Dongjol of Akoko. When those communities effectively defended themselves in those confined areas, the Chollo leaders went wild. Those who were in Malakal led by Dr. Lam Akol collected themselves protested to the Governor and wrote their  protest, which they distributed widely nationally and internationally. The members of Chollo in parliaments from Malakal, Juba, and Khartoum, irrespective of their different political parties united as Chollo across party lines. They met in Malakal and signed a petition accusing Jieng of attacking their people. The Chollo Communities in Diaspora particularly, in the United States of America and Europe led by James Ogilo, and from other continents posted their protests in the internet. Chollo Ministers in GONU and GoSS led by Peter Adwok Nyaba openly cried out in support for the Chollo community and condemned Jieng whom they target to dislodge from their land, east of the Nile , along the Sobat and khorfulus. The Chollo community as a whole continues to mastermind and engineer trouble in those areas. However, land ownership among African tribes of South Sudan had never been an issue of dispute nor source of conflict. Land, for the past centuries, was deemed as God's property and all people God put together freely accept one another to co-exist, live interdependently, marry from each other, adopt others' traditions and traits or cultures, participate in their respective religious ceremonies or practices. Hence, following these principles, members of different ethnic communities live separately on identified parcel of land, known to belong to them. But any individual(s) from other tribes are implicitly permitted, if they temporarily live on empty land without claiming ownership. Those members may dwell there forever as long as relationships are cordial.
Now, that the educated Chollo deliberately intend to grab the land of Jieng Padang, along the eastern bank of River Nile; Sobat; and Khorfulus that belong to Abialang of Renk; Ageer and Nyiel of Melut; Dongol of Akoko, Ngok of Baliete; Luac, Thoi and Paweny of Khofulus.
The dispute over land rights is a new phenomenon being generated by economic greed among some of the educated people who have known the value of land when exploited or developed. The new description of land as "belonging to the community" in the CPA is deliberately misinterpreted by political Leaders and intellectuals who are practicing corruption and nepotism at the leadership level. The resources that are accrued from underground of the land like oil or other minerals, from the surface like agricultural produces and forestry drive the Leaders to selfish political ambition. The Leaders acquire most of the profits and benefits.
It is advisable that before hostilities become deeply ingrained and seeds of vengeance degenerate, GoSS should intervene to:-
(i)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Demarcate lands for the State Headquarters all over South Sudan .
(ii)Â Â Â Â Â Chollo to move back to their Nyikang land, west of the Nile-from Tonga in the south to Wada-Kona in the north. All ethnic communities should adhere to good neighborhood and co-existence; good peace and tranquility are the edificates of learning and civilization.
3. The incident was to depict the Governor and his government of Upper Nile State as a failure in maintaining peace and stability or law and order in the presence of the President of the Republic who is also the Chairman of National Congress Party to which the Governor belongs. The President of the Republic and Chairman of NCP was being induced to remove Governor Galuak Deng. Behind the calculated maneuvers is that the tribe "Chollo", that claims to control Malakal, should bring a person to govern the State. To them, no Nuer or Jieng should be appointed a governor of Upper Nile state, no matter to which Party he/she comes from. This is the reason Chollo came into the Stadium as a tribe while others matched as Counties.
4. The idea of reshuffle is a narrowly based concern among few leaders. It is apparent that any change of government at this time is not widely discussed or popularly advocated by majority of the people of the state for the following reasons:
a. The government was recently constituted and is working fairly well. All the ethnic communities in the state are well represented. The infrastructural activities that made the celebration feasible reflect the hard work exerted by the Government of the day. These are evidences of success.
b. The success of the Governor and the Minister of Finance is unprecedented. This is due to the fact that the Minister of Finance is implementing the declared policy of the President of GoSS against corruption and he is applying zero tolerance on those who are practicing the vice.
The fact that the Minister has removed those who were found pursuing corruption in the State institutions is the essence of the success of the Government. If this is the reason he should be dismissed or be reshuffled out of that ministry so that the status quo of corruptive practices is installed, then the matter is left to the authorities of GoSS and the ruling Parties (SPLM and NCP).
c. Till now, there is no consultation among the leaders of the two parties. Moreover, those leaders like Dr. Riek Macar, Governor Galuak Deng and Pagan Amum; each has his agenda for the coming elections. Hence, each is interested in placing his supporters in strategic positions in the State and in the Counties. The peace dividends which the current Administration is delivering to the people for the first time, for over twenty years; are to be rendered worthless for the sake of electing your "Governor" in the upcoming elections of 2009. For instance, Dr.Riek Macar is trying very hard to implement his agenda of SSIM by bringing back the people he appointed before and after the CPA. e.g. Elijah Awan Bol, Kur Akol and Chol Chuli; who were there in Melut and Renk Counties but did not deliver any effective services to their people. Nevertheless, he would like them just to work for him during elections. He is using his position in the SPLM as a spring board to perpetuate SSIM agenda.
d. Commander Pagan Amum and Dr. Lam Akol are fighting for and over the support of the Chollo. Dr. Lam like Dr. Riek created unnecessary Counties in Western and Eastern regions which are not economically viable except for political purposes like the present Counties of the Chollo, including Malakal, are very poor while Jieng Counties are the ones financially supporting the State. Dr. Riek and Dr. Lam are largely responsible for the present confusion; though both of them are using SPLM cards, for different programs hidden under their sleeves. However, both are united in isolating and marginalizing Jieng leaders.
These leaders: Dr. Riek and Dr. Lam, have short and long term agenda. They do not have Southern national agendas as this is clear from 1991 split, each targeted the other tribes as Dr. Riek directed the Nuers to fight Jieng. They also formed two separate splinter groups which signed Pashoda and Khartoum peace agreements with Khartoum Government. Both returned to the SPLM/A individually leading distinct two groups. Till now they are conducting themselves as tribal warlords. What agenda do they have for the South or for Sudan?
Deng Mangok
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25-02-2009 06:43:54 |Publisher| Wadawang
First of all Deng should know that,Chollo have accommodated them as brothers, sisters, and brothers in-law,but since they stated to develop ilusive thinking to claim Collo land.
Then we are here to tell them the reality, that people called Ngok in Upper Nile state are Abyei people, othorwise why we are fighting in Abyei or claim Abyei to be a Ngok area. Because Collo allowed you to stay for these decades dosen't mean that Collo dosen't know that you're from Abyei in Northern Kordufan, so condisder that before starting claiming any land in Upper Nile State, not to mention that even the areas they stayed in now like Adwong, Baliet,Bonglays are Anyuak areas which means are Collo ares too.
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26-02-2009 17:38:22 |Unregistered| John Oyech Lwong
This is a great misleading kind of article which should have not been posted on this site in the first place
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02-03-2009 02:29:31 |Unregistered| mojwok choll
Malakal,s killing of innocent chollo was a clear sign of the tribalised state governmet,whereby every key position of the state authority is held by a single tribe.The innocent chollo who don't have a brother or uncle in the highlyl mono-tribalised state government have become an easy taget of the tribal machinery authority.Your article does't help the current political sitaution in Upper Nile.Malakal town is not a disputed Jerusalam of Upper Nile Stae .It's Brown Jelaba accoupation of Abyei which is disputabe.The enemy of our people is working in the dark of night to rwandanize our people by stirring up tribal tenisons.Please show some respect for our national leaders like Dr Lam Akol,SG Pagan Amum.There is no fighting betweem them,because they are not seeking tribal glory.Finally,Chollo people must resist tribal discrimination in the Upper Nile.
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23-04-2009 09:15:16 |Unregistered| Gano T T Onak Yor
Dinka are the one of the selfish tribe had very been found in Southern Soudan, and for the matter of real they are the one giving the fault indications to the Northern Government that they where born to roll not to be rolled and South can by form without they ,that by claming and using their demographic majority filling positions in the federal and GOSS ,see we only had one minister Dr Peter Adok at federal and Non in GoSS and before this set of Dr Adok we where contained with been award with noting and we did not claim ,Collo has been known as a ever peaceful nation working for development and stability of South never claim that is not their won and working only for the dependant S.Sudan ,believes on S Sudan unity and prosperity, tall me if any one in south in particular but in the entire Sudan can proved my statement wrong, collo is one of the ever governed ,organized and respectful tribe in Africa , and i challenge any one, we believes in South Sudan integrity and independency more then Dika who had a very limit interest of eagerness of power and resources behind Sudan unity, where at list they grantee the Vic president will continue be from Dinka and they can control South properties Eg ( Upper Nile universities ,Upper Nile Gov, ministry of former Affairs ,GoSS and other uncountable examples ) where Dika languages is the official at governmental institutions at president of S Sudan Office and other similar Offices where any corrupted Dinka Officer has immunity against accountability and should be at the highest position regardless qualification ,
Last and not the less can you ask whey Dinka and other innocent Nilotic tribes became unwelcome in juba now a days and before latest 1970s (Kokora Time)? ,
Let end by this if it’s matter of majority then we are able to unit all LUO tribes in addition to Nuer and Bari Nation and other willing brothers to end the Dinka’s irresponsible attitudes towards unity and stability of South Sudan .
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23-04-2009 15:21:00 |Unregistered| Ajak Peter
Guys lets forget tribal ideologies. Get united to be strong in the eyes of "Jalaba" we still have a long way to go. The journey to a peaceful Sudan is our destiny. CPA is not the end of our war with the Arabs. You see now they have thrown to us a cursed bone (Tribal clashes).
If you don't know before hear it from today.For how long shall we remain foolish in the eyes of our opponents? Have love and patriotism for one other southerner so that God have to judge your grievances with fair and justice. Let forgive each other's fault. God always stand firm with those that love themselves. I'm appealing to all Southern Sudanese to forgive themselves and not to get what Arab as we talk is planning against us in Khartoum. And not only Arab in the north but all over the world. Remember South Sudan is the “Garden of Eden". As a matter of fact outsiders mock at you everytime when you people fight yourselves. Because they are getting a golden opportunity to come down in the name of mediators when in real sense they are intervening not to stop your crisis but to exploit and loot our natural resources in the South.
Look at world globally. What happened in USA? Despite the fact that Barack Hussein Obama is an Africa. They diplomats of USA elected him as a president. The first time in History. The dream of Martin Luther King becomes true “I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers".So why don't we learn from History and maintain the vision of Dr.Garang De'Mabior who risk his life and life of his family for the children of the marginalized South Sudan.
Nevertheless, I’m wishing those who will read this message to pass it to others who are planting the seeds of tribalism and nepotism. All in all please be an agent of change to your nation.
Ajak Peter.
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If there are people working against the welfare and the future peacefull coexistance of Dinka and other people in the Sudan at large and southern sudan in particular are these kind of shalow minded Dinka writers.
Although the writer is trying to appeal to peolpe that the the Dinka are good people, his insult to the entire non Dinka members of the government of Southern Sudan ,Riak Machar, Pa'gan Amum, and the like and also those who are not in the government of southern Sudan like Dinka nightmare Dr Lam Akol.
Time has come for collo people to protect their land from those out law acephalous Dinkas, who have been running the govrment in malakal at the expence of collo, and collo have to do this by arms from the government of Sudan because they are the one who control power and gave this power to dinkas(Drunkards) to destablise the well organise communities in the south like the Collo.
Some Collo people should join gabriel Taniny in his revolt to spice it up agaist the land grabbers, those who dont know history. because that Clan government of Kiir mayardit of twwics(padang), have totally failed the people of southern sudan with his clan officials looting the government treasures and saling the land of the south to the Jelaba.
What some of colo dont know is that the clan of kirr mayardit oof Dinka padang have decided to hand over the south to the norht to maintain thier corrupt leadership they are against the separation of the south because they perfectly know that when the south separate that will be the end of Dinka evil illusions on the Southerners and Sudan at large.
the Game played by the Dinkas and the Arab renegade rulers of the north is very clear and the end of the could be very soon when democracy comes all over sudan. the people are sick of dinkas and arab oriented governments of the Sudan.and soon change will come.
The collo people should declare official war against the Government of Southern Sudan.