Chollo (Shilluk) Petition on the Establishment Order Issued by the President of the Republic of South Sudan Dividing the Country into 28 States

Date: October16, 2015

To: UN Secretary General, the Hon. Ban Ki-moon

United Nations Headquarters

885 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017, USA.

 

Subject: Chollo (Shilluk) Petition on the Establishment Order Issued by the President of the Republic of South Sudan Dividing the Country into 28 States

 

Dear Mr. Secretary General,

We, the Chollo (Shilluk) community in the Diaspora would like to present this petition to you as an appeal to urgently intervene to arrest the catastrophic situation that may befall our country, the Republic of South Sudan, as a result of President Salva Kiir’s recent “Establishment Order Number 36/2015 for the creation of 28 states”. We are profoundly concerned about the Establishment Order because it has adversely affected the territorial boundaries of our kingdom, the Chollo Kingdom. Thus we demand immediate revocation of the Establishment Order. The situation is so grave and deeply disturbing that we urge your immediate attention and action before the situation develops into a catastrophic confrontation and conflict between the affected communities.

Your Excellency, here is our case and recommendations for your consideration:

On Friday the 2^nd of October 2015, the President of the Republic of South Sudan surprised the country by issuing an Order establishing 28 States instead of the existing ten. No studies or popular consultations were carried out as to the viability of the new states some of which are quite small counties.

The Order is a flagrant violation of some Articles of the Constitution: 55(3), 59(a), 86(5), and 162(1) among others. It is also a contravention of the “Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan” signed in Addis Ababa and Juba on the 17^th and 26^th of August. This becomes abundantly clear in reference to the Preamble, Articles 3 and 15 of Chapter I and more importantly Articles 2 and 3 of Chapter VIII.

 

The Peace Agreement has sufficiently provided that the devolution of power and resources to the sub-national levels of government will be dealt with during the Transitional period which is about to begin in two months’ time. This being the case, why issue the Order now that purports to be doing the same?

The answer is that the President and his Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders see the implementation of the Peace Agreement as obstructing their long well thought out plan to establish a Dinka-controlled state in Upper Nile. The timing is critical so as to create a new reality on the ground in Upper Nile and Unity states, with Governors to be nominated by the armed Opposition, before the commencement of the implementation of the Peace Agreement. In Upper Nile State, Chollo lands that were being claimed by the Dinka east of the Nile are granted to them, and the oil territories in Unity state are carved out into a state which is exclusively Dinka by joining two Dinka counties which do not share a border (unless a Nuer territory that borders both is annexed to the new state), so as to prove Kiir’s theory that oil in South Sudan belongs to the Dinka. This is purely a tribal game. Little wonder that it is only the Dinkas who are celebrating in support of the move.

The consequence of this gerrymandering is that the Chollo Kingdom got divided into two with some Chollo in one state west of the Nile and others in another east of it. The Chollo in the east are to be reduced into a minority in a Dinka state that extends from the border with Sudan in the north to the northern border of the Fangak Nuer in Jonglei state in the south. The Dinkas that formed the northern part of the old Fangak District in Jonglei state are to be annexed to this large state to increase the number of the Dinkas in it to ensure tribal domination of other minorities including Chollo.

Therefore, the Chollo Kingdom has been divided between two states for the first time in its 500 years since its inception. It is also the first time for State and County borders to be breached since the advent of administration in Sudan and South Sudan. The Chollo Kingdom predates the concept of government in South Sudan and Chollo cannot accept any power on earth to tamper with their system for tribal interest. Since President Salva Kiir is bent on creating states composed of single tribes, no tribe or tribal section is more worthy than Chollo nation to get its own state by virtue of its organization, history, economic viability and population size.

It is a well known fact that some Dinkas neighbouring Chollo have been laying baseless claims on Chollo lands east of the Nile since late 1970s up to the time of the issuance of this Order. In the past, the authorities in Juba have ruled in favor of Chollo on the basis of facts on the ground. However, since President Salva Kiir assumed power he has been consistently supporting the Dinka in their greed to grab Chollo land. All Chollo attempts to get the issue resolved through a technical committee to peg the borders on the ground in accordance with the agreed 1/1/1956 borders fell on deaf ears. One petition after another to President Salva Kiir himself and his government were thrown into the wastebasket. We have given a detailed account of these attempts in our petition to the Secretary General of the United Nations dated19 July, 2010, which is hereby attached for easy reference. By this Order, President Salva Kiir is misusing power in order to impose new borders between Chollo and the Dinka as claimed by the Dinka. This position proves what we have been saying all along that the government of President Salva Kiir was complicit in the insecurity that has been created by the Dinka in Chollo Kingdom since 2005.

This attempt by the government in Juba to give Chollo land to the Dinka threatens instability in the area and is a recipe for conflict and confrontation. Let the Dinka neighbouring Chollo tell the world the moment in history when they were occupying the lands they now claim, and had to be subsequently displaced from it by Chollo. Chollo displacement of Dinka at some distant time in history would be the only plausible reason for the Dinka to claim their lands back. However, there is nothing of the sort. On the contrary, it has been the Chollo sovereign that had provided protection throughout history to Dinka neighbouring the Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, Chollo came to where they are today in the 16^th century. The first Dinka to arrive east of the Nile did so in the 18^th century (Abilang and Dingjol). The rest came to their present settlements in the 19^th century following the Nuer migration to the current Jonglei state. The Ngok Dinka are actually occupying areas vacated by the Anuak on their eastward migration as evidenced by the names Abong, Adong, Gel Achiel, etc. These are well documented historical facts.

There is no doubt that the raison d’etre for the issuance of this Order at this time is to obstruct the implementation of the recently signed Peace Agreement that is likely to stop tribal schemes. It is important to bear this mind.

President Salva Kiir’s objective to grab the lands of Chollo and other tribes in the interest of his tribe the Dinka through abuse of power must be confronted by all. We humbly call for the following steps to be undertaken:

(a)- The Establishment Order issued by President Salva Kiir on 2/10/2015 is to be declared null and void as it violates both the Constitution and the Peace Agreement;

(b)- The guarantors of the Peace Agreement (in the region and internationally) must take a decisive action to prevent President Salva Kiir or anyone else from obstructing the implementation of the Agreement as its unraveling will result in a more destructive war between the tribes marking the end of the new country.

(c)- President Salva Kiir to be held accountable for committing gross violation of the Constitution and throwing the country into a tribal conflict;

(d)- The institution of an independent and impartial international fact-finding committee to investigate the atrocities that took place in Chollo land since 2005;

(e)- On the basis of the findings of the investigation committee above, all the culprits ought to be committed to a transparent international judicial process;

(f)- The issues of devolution of power and resources to sub-national levels must be deferred to be discussed during the Transitional Period as stated in the Peace Agreement;

(g)- A technical committee of surveyors must be formed at the commencement of the Transition so as to demarcate the boundaries of the old districts and provinces comprising the existing counties or states as per the 1/1/1956 boundary. These are the agreed boundaries as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement 2005 and the GoSS Council of Minsters’ resolutions in its meetings Nos. 01/2009 and 08/2009 in the year 2009. This demarcation must precede discussing the change of states’ borders.

The Chollo nation is a peace-loving people and has never been in conflict with its neighbors throughout the modern history. So far, we have been seeking and still seek amicable settlement of the land dispute affecting our people. However, it appears that some quarters are misreading our peaceful nature to be a sign of weakness. If pushed to the wall as this Order is bent on, the Chollo are more than ready to exercise their right of self-defense under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in order to defend their ancestral land and live with dignity.

Your Excellency, your prompt intervention into this serious security matter is necessary and urgently needed, so as to avert total anarchy South Sudan may descend into if President Salva Kiir’s “Establishment Order Number 36/2015 for the Creation of 28 States” is not revoked.

Yours sincerely,

Signed by Chollo (Shilluk) Community in:

 

The United Kingdom

1. Dr Joseph Kucburo Ajang

2. Mr. Peter Fashoda Ageng

3. Mr. Gabriel Gwang Ajang

4. Mr. Karlo Kwol Akol

5. Mr. Ojiango Abar Dingmejok

6. Mr. Okuc Peter Awol Ajal

7. Mrs. Mary Otor

8. Mrs. Veronica Saverio Ayik

9. Mrs. Lucia Aywok Bol

10. Dr. Ronyo Mayik

11. Mr. Akic Adwok Lwaldeng

12. Mr. Lam Arop Yor

13. Mrs. Vivian Joseph Kur Nyidhok

14. Mr. Mojwok Goldit Akwot

15. Mrs. Nyagith Mayik Diing

16. Mrs. Suzana Tom

17. Mrs. Regina Simon Twong

18. Mr. Michael Olwak Godying

19. Mr. Charles Bedipiny Fashoda

20. Mr. Emmanuel Kimo Fashoda

21. Miss. Adelina Pwochjwok Fashoda

22. Miss. Viviana Peter Fashoda

23. Mr. Pasqual Mario Arang Awet

24. Mr. Youhanes Mario Arang Awet

 

USA

1. Mr. Michael Aban Kalkon

2. Mr. Othow Kur Awang

3. Mr. Jwothab Wanh Othow

4. Mr. Otom Oluak Nyawello

5. Mr. Yusuf Apara Nawi

6. Mr. Chol Ocam Allan

7. Mrs. Lucia Peter Tug

8. Mrs. Teresa Nyaum Nawi

9. Mr. Oyot Samuel Ador

10. Mr. Bolis Agal

11. Mr. Charles Bartholomew Anyang

12. Mr. Ywomo Arop Byenyo

13. Mr. Augustine Afamet Ochoung

14. Mr. Okoth Omai Aywak

15. Mr. Fabio Mathew Deng

16. Mr. Ongien Ojwok Ding

17. Mr. Omai Othow Ajak

18. Mr. Obwony Odhong Yorwin

19. Mr. Sabit Okwagi

20. Rev. Francis Nyawello M. Chan

21. Mr. Lwanyo Padiet

22. Mr. Johnson Owaci Okwac Deng

23. Mr. Andrew Nijok BOL

24. Mr. Michael Yowdo

25. Mr. Peter Adieng Ding  

26. Mrs.  Kwach-Kwan Abwol

27. Mr.Lewis Dengangok

28. Mrs. Rita Saviro Ayik

29. Mr. Peter Opach

30. Mr. Emmnuel James Bol

31. Mr. Tyson Anny Laa

32. Miss. Niveen Anny Laa  

33. Mr. George Pagak Akuey

34. Mr. Olanyi Amum Lueth

35. Mr. Benino Aban

36. Mr. Michael Chol Tip

37. Mr. Silvio William

38. Mrs. Nyaban Kiir

39. Mrs. Veronica Mojwok Ajak

40. Mr. Chan Aba Nyakwol

41. Ms. Nyachagjwok Chan Aba

42. Ms. Anna Chan Aba

43. Mrs. Veronica Chol Othow

44. Mr. Fabio Dominic Otor

45. Mr. Bumano Samson Oyay

46. Mr. Twong Ajak Odhong

47. Mr. Andrea Aban Obwany

48. Mrs. Nyakwan Alferd Akwach

49. Ms. Anagar Acwil Kwalang

50. Mr. Poul Acwil Kwlang

51. Mr. Thubo Acwil Kwlang

52. Ms. Madalina Dawin

53. Ms. Maria Shigak

54. Mrs. Abuk Aban Ajak

55. Mrs. Hanna Adur

56. Mr. Wilson Kak

57. Mrs. Teresa Adwok Yorwin

58. Ms. Josephine A. Amon

59. Ms. Achol Aban Kalakon

60. Ms. Nyabushay Aban Kalakon

61. Mr. Yusif otien

62. Ms. Therza Ayuol

63. Mr. Ojamo Dekuan

64. Mrs. Nyatiling Okic

65. Mrs. Catherine Yomon

66. Mrs. Monika Kolang

67. Mr. Julius Kur

68. Mr. Mojowk Yohans

69. Mr. Stephen Deng

70. Ms. Keim Awin

71. Mrs. Regina Amum- Chan

72. Ms. Vivian N. Chan

73. Ms. Nyamjowk N. Chan

74. Ms. Grace N. Chan 

75. Mr. Daniel Olouch

76. Mr. James Nyawello Wadwajwok

77. Mr. James odhok

78. Ms. Rejoice Thomas

79. Mr. Lucia Othow

80. Mr. John Obenyi Kuku

81. Ms. Nyamathin Nyayom

82. Mr. Raphael Nyakwojo

82. Mr. Daniel Othow

83. Mr. Oyo Alijok

83. Mr. Thubi Gui

84. Mr. Moses Abudhok

85. Mr. Tijok Adur

86. Mr. Tereza Nyilek

87. Mr. William Ator

88. Mrs. Suzana Yor

89. Mr. Simon Deng

90. Mrs. Monica Deng

91. Mr. Jameson Nyapal

92. Mrs. Pasquina Koul

93. Ms. Nilly Acwill

94. Mr. Homer Acwil

95. Mr. Gandi Acwil

96. Ms. Asonta Ajang

97. Mr. John Adouk

98. Mr. Yoanes Ajarial

99. Mr..Marco Ajarial

100. Mr. Franco Ajarial

101. Mr. Amelida Adouk

102. Mr. Charles Boug

103. Mr. David Othow

104. Mr. Sebit Othow

104. Mr.Ywodo Kak

105. Mr. Sabino Edward Ator

106. Mr. .Emmanuel Ajak

107. Mr. Some Arob

108. Ms.Lodie Jago Aney

109. Mr. Joseph Ajobong

109. Mr. Daniel Odhiem

110. Mr.Panarou Adoung

111. Ms. Rirri Najock

112. Ms. Lubna Obou

113. Mr. Ayoub Obou

114. Mr. Yohanas Ajak

115. Mr. Job James Jago Kudit Kuckon

116. Mr. James Jago Kudit Kuckon

117. Mr. Dak Awet

118. Mrs. Teresa Deng

119. Ms. Yayid Awet

120. Mr. Ynkoych Awet

121. Mr. Stephen Abdalla Olam

122. Ms. Nybol Ujouk Utou

123. Mr. James Abol

124. Ms. Kristina Obany Ayiik

125. Mr. Samuel Oshimi

126. Dr. Susan Odok

127. Rev.Ezekiel Kujok Akulith

128. Ms. Priscilla Nyago odhok

129. Mr.Enoch Daniel Aba

130. Dr.Nyaban Ezekiel Kutjok

131. Mr.Agelo Gordon Ajawin

132. Ms. Josephina Michael Yowin

133. Ms. Tabitha Nyikuey

134. Mr. Andrew Akol Ajawin

135. Mr. Butros Ajang

136. Mr. Obec Tito Tipo Adibo

137. Mr. Jermico Amon

138. Mrs. Mary Ayik

139. Ms. Lidia Amon

 

Canada

1. Mr. William Amum

2. Mr. Samuel Wadeng Otong

3. Mr. Sabino Diok

4. Mr. Emmanuel Jimmy

5. Mr.Oyath Aromi

6. Mr. Emanuel.K. Ottor

7. Mrs. Liuca Adwak

8. Mr. Peter Ojwal

9. Mrs. Cecilia B. Adong

10. Mrs. Kiristine Pagan

11. Mr.Wialliam Goldiet

12. Mr. Paul Nyibek

13. Mr. Mark M. Mayott

14. Ms. Linda Akoj.

15. Mr. William Gwang

16. Mrs. Jiebien Nyajwok

17. Mr.William Ogal Leijlij

 

Australia

1. Mr. Paul J.Kwajakwan

2. Mrs.Assunta A.Ajang

3. Dr. Banydhuro S.Oyay

4. Mr. John D. Kuldite

5. Mrs. Lucia A.Ajang

6. Mr. Chol K.Afaj

7. Mrs. Rebecca Y.Okaj

8. Mr. Simon A.Landid

9. Mr. Simon Arop Okyij

10. Mrs. Lucia John Obwony

11. Mrs. Luciano Ador

12. Achol Simon Othom

13. Mr. Francis Akic Ajang Yowm

14. Oudriko Mayoum

15. Alia Gakug

16. Mr. Peter Deng

17. Mr. Mojwok Pasqualla Mayom

18. Mr. Aban M.Lwanyo

19. Mr. Bob A.Bwogo

20. Mr. Kudit Geil

21. Nyachan Akoch

22. Rita J.Along

23. Maria Awak Joseph

24. Mr. Ezekiel R.Arop

25. Suzy M.Aban

26. Tertizeo Pasquale Adyankor

27. Rebecca S. Oyay

28. Suzy A. Okony

29. Mr. John Deng

30. Mr. Peter Awu

31. Maria Awu

32. Mer Kwajakwan

34. Tito Kwajakwan

35. Mr. Philip Awu

36. Mr. Othow Kudit Chalker

37. Mr. Tipo Mel

38 .Mrs. Elizabeth Atilio

39. Ashwill Mayiik

40. Mr.PachaiyPathum A .Nyikako

41. Mr. Orito Olami Awu

42. Dodo Daniel Mongo

43. Ms. Vivian Akol Ajawin

44. Ms. Ayak Yor Kak Bol

45. Mr. Isaac Ayul Deng

46. Mr. Victor Kutker

47. Mr. Chol A.Otor Nyajwok

48. Mr. Anthony Kuol

49. Mr. Otien Otong Ayik

50. Mr. Michael Odhong Nyijak

51. Mr. Nyibil Amum Okiech

52. Mr. Otha T. Akoch

53. Mr. Ogwok Otor

54. Mr. Peter A.O. Necding

55. Mr. James Wastino

56. Mr. William Chol Adam

57. Mr. Charity Joseph Twong

58. Mr. Thomas Lual

59. Ms. Regina James Bol

60. Mr. Akich Akoch

61. Mr. Paromi Aloung

62. Ms.Madline Odhok

63. Mr. Francis Nyibong

64. Mr. Bedipeny Akoch

65. Mr. Banan Ajak

66. Mr. Peter Leone Joseph

67. Mr. Okuj Ajak

68. Mr. Chol Ajak

69. Ms. Nyakac Ajak

70. Mr. Olami Akany

71. Mr.Aban Amum

72. Mr. Mojwok Otha Akoch

73. Mrs. Bedchollo Peter Lai

74. Mr. Benjamin Bol Paul

 

New Zealand
1. Mr. Abann Kamyay Ajak Yor

2. Mr. Victor Ojouk Kak

3. Mr. Peter Chan Akic

4. Mrs. Esther Nyadeng Abba

5. Mrs. Mary Daniel Nyawell Kwat
6. Mrs. Lillian Chamjock Adowk

7. Miss. Banan Abann K .A Yor

8. Mrs. Pachok Juma Abba

9. Miss. Patricha Pawill Kim Adowk

 

Other locations

1. Mr. Simon Pagan Obur Ajak - Sweden.

2. Mr. Nyawello Pakwan - U.A.E

3. Mr. David Karial - Egypt

4. Mr.Wialliam Odwol Najok - Germany

5. Dr. John Tito Tipo Adibo - Germany

6. Mr. Youdo Abodayi Shawich - Germany

7. Mr. Joseph Chol lual deng – The Netherland

8. Mr. ONYAW SABAH ELKHEIR ADOUR – Finland

9. Dr. John Ojur Dennis- Malaysia

10. Mrs.  Frieda Joshua Adieng –The Netherland

11. Mr. Jago Adongjak- Kenya

 

 

CC:

Mr. Barrack Obama - President of the United States of America

The Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Mr. Malcolm Turnbull - Prime Minister of Australia

Mr. Stephen Harper- Prime Minister of Canada

Mrs. Erna Solberg- Prime Minister of Norway

H.E. Omar Hassan Al Bashir- President of the Republic of the Sudan

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn - Prime Minister of Ethiopia and IGAD Chairman

H.E. Jean-Claude Juncker-President of the European Union

H.E. Mrs. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – Chairperson of the African Union Commission

 

 

Please note that the following support documents are enclosed: To read support documents just click on the hyper link below:

1. Open Letter by The Representatives of Collo Nation in The National, Southern Sudan and Upper Nile State Assemblies to The Governor of Upper Nile State, South Sudan, (10 Jan.2009)

2. An Open Letter on Insecurity and Land Grabbing to H.E Salva Kiir President of GoSS. By Clement Mbugoniwia, Leader of USSP, (24 January, 2009)

3. USSP Press Release: GoSS"s Impartiality in Addressing Upper Nile State Insecurity? (27 June, 2010)

4. An Open Letter from Collo Community in USA to H.E Salva Kiir President of GoSS, (29 January, 2009)

5. An Article by Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba Dimensions of Current Political Discourse over Malakal, (19 October, 2009)

6. The Shilluk Kingdom Today: Challenging Dinka invaders By Ustaz/ James Ogilo Agor, (10 July, 2010)

7. Chollo-petition-to-the-united-nation-secretary-general (19 July, 2010)hollo-petition-to-the-united-nation-secretary-general (19 July, 2010)