Collo Community Council in Sudan
Ref: Appeal to Padang Jieng leaders in Upper Nile State
We, Collo Community Council would like to send this brotherly letter to you so that you may review your position in regard to the annexation of Collo land in eastern side of Nile to the newly formed state called Eastern Upper Nile State.
Both communities namely Collo and Jieng co-existed for centuries without any kind of land grabbing or conflict in related to land issues. They were living in peace and harmony colored by intermarriage which bound them together and it created intimate relationship which no one can deny. Collo was astonished in early 1980s, when certain elements in Jieng community started to claim that all lands in eastern side of Nile belong to them and all Collo Communities living in that side for five centuries must evacuate it and go to western side of Nile. Those elements in Panigur meeting called by Late Dr. John Garang came up again with that request, but Dr. Garang rejected it by giving them historical background that Malakal is a Collo land. Unfortunately, the untimed death claimed the life of Chairman of SPLM/A, Dr. John Garang. Sadly, the present government has executed the agenda of anti-peace elements within Padang Jieng in Upper Nile.
Indeed, the Collo Council is hereby requesting reasonable thinking on your side about the claim made by your community in regard to Collo land. As faithful Christians let's look critically to what the Bible is teaching us'' Never move an old boundary mark that your ancestors established'' (Prov.22:28), also the Bible says ''Never move an old mark or take over land owned by orphans for the Lord is their powerful defender, he will argue their case against you'' (Prov.23:10-11).
Brethren, the ambitious scheme of land occupation is not an easy task to be attained because no single community will accept any invader to take away the ancestral land. Moreover, you as community leaders must fully understand that the scheme of claiming Collo land is going to victimize your community and spoil healthy relationship between two communities that co-existed for centuries without trouble and war. Be assured that the government which supports such ill-intended project is destroying your community and expose you to danger, whole magnitude no one can tell you. Honestly, neither Salva Kiir nor other Jieng communities will be there at the time fueling the fire of this criminal land grabbing project. Therefore, wish you to be mindful of the interest of your community; in having good neighborhood living with Collo.
You may want to be reminded that Collo community knows the consequence of war because they fought deadly wars with invaders such as the Turk and the Mahdist but never fought its neighbors. Indeed, let's examine our ways and turn back to the spirit of peaceful co-existence. We should be aware that the thought of pain, homelessness are bitter poison that will keep each community to stand for their rights.
Collo community is asking Padang Jieng to refrain from aggressive behavior; you shouldn't think that the Collo community is weak when they didn't react to President Kiir decision of giving away Pijo. They were hoping that matter would be resolved peaceful. But the same mistake is being repeated by the President. We advise you to reject the decree of instituting Jieng state in Collo land as that will be the best way to ensure peace and tranquility in the area. In case you don't want to accept our advice and you are not ready to associate yourselves with Collo community in Upper Nile, that is your choice and it is respected, but we want your community to approach the office of President to make a second decree to institute your headquarters in one of your four counties and leave Collo land in peace. So many people misunderstood Collo when they rejected creation of Eastern Upper Nile State that takes Collo land without its people. President Kiir can protect the interest of Jieng by giving them state in their own ancestors land and no one will have quarrel with such, but the problem come when he annexed other people land to Jieng.
The question of forcing Collo community to go to western side of Nile as only option to have relationship between Jieng and Collo will not materialize. Often only remain fractioned like the one of Israel and Palestine. As Jieng leaders, you must be assured that instability and insecurity is more on your side. We know that you can take your wise decisions for benefit of your community. But any emotional or irrational decision will produce instability in Upper Nile state as whole.
We approach you in this appeal as brothers to foresee the negative consequence of the annexation of Collo land in eastern side of Nile without being part of that state. Please see what the Bible is saying '' Don't be like wicked who scheme to rob honest people or take away their houses, no matter how often honest people fall, they always get up against, but disaster destroys the wicked'' (Prov.24:15-16). Moreover, the Bible puts it clear that '' People who set traps for others get caught themselves. People who start landslides get crushed'' (Prov. 26:27).
Finally, we send you this brotherly letter in order to revisit the presidential decree for the creation of new state for you in Collo land, observe its benefits and consequences and try to weigh it thoroughly, we are ready to sit down as family to sort out the issue if you are ready to denounce the decree as starting point.
Best wishes,
Signed by
Samson Oyay Awin
Chairman of Collo Community Council in Khartoum
CC. IGAD
CC. United Nation Council
CC. Troika
CC. Human Right Commission
CC. Rt. Majesty, Reth Kwongo Dak
CC. Collo Intellectuals Committee
Newer articles:
- Response to Hon. Samson Oyay Chairman of Collo Community Council from Joshua Dau of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) - 20/01/2016 10:37
- Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA - Immediate Press Release - 20/01/2016 10:22
- Chollo Community Council Letter to Dr. Riek Machar - 14/01/2016 00:14
- Equatorian Community Letter to IGAD-Plus and the Chair of the JMEC - 07/01/2016 20:36
- Collo Community Council - Rejection of Presidential Order No36/2015 AD of President Salva Kiir for the establishment of 28 states on 2nd October 2015 and the appointment of 28 state governors on 24th December 2015 in South Sudan and in upper Nile state re - 07/01/2016 15:21
Older news items
- The position of women in South Sudanese politics - 03/01/2016 16:53
- The decapitation of Equatoria - 01/01/2016 20:57
- Urgent Release statement by Collo Community Council - 24/12/2015 21:33
- Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA : Immediate Press Release of approbation to our leaders - 24/12/2015 21:24
- PRESS STATEMENT : SOUTH SUDAN NEW ARMED GROUPS OUTSIDE COMPROMISE PEACE DEAL - 22/12/2015 19:58
Latest news items (all categories):
- Hope for Christmas gift as South Sudan talks return to Nairobi - 05/12/2024 10:26
- Chinese medical team brings relief to South Sudan patients - 05/12/2024 10:18
- Sudanese bishop speaks about being brutalized by soldiers - 05/12/2024 10:08
- President Biden: Absent Principles - No Honoring Words - Broken Promises - 05/12/2024 09:55
- South Sudan’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Continues – Analysis - 01/12/2024 17:47
Random articles (all categories):
- POCUS: Bringing the revolutionary potential of ultrasound to South Sudan - 03/10/2018 19:55
- UN mandates South Sudan force to prevent return to civil war - 12/03/2021 15:42
- UN OCHA Vacancy Announcements for HR Clerk - G3, Logistics Assistant - G5 and Office Clerk - G2 - 20/05/2015 08:50
- Newest nation South Sudan proud after debut draw - Yahoo! Sports - 11/07/2012 00:01
- Pope Francis’ previous visits to Africa - 26/01/2023 00:58
Popular articles:
- The Final Communique of SPLM-DC Third Session of the National Council - 29/03/2011 01:00 - Read 75901 times
- Roles and Definition of Political Parties - 29/04/2011 01:00 - Read 60484 times
- Agriculture in Southern Sudan: Challenges and Investment Opportunities - 06/10/2010 01:45 - Read 41927 times
- Fashoda Youth Forum Rehabilitation of Drainage Culverts in Malakal town Report - 07/08/2008 16:22 - Read 32925 times
- Dozens of gunmen on horseback ambush peacekeepers - 24/05/2008 13:47 - Read 26614 times