South Sudan back to Slavery

By: James Ogilo Agor, USA

April 9, 2010- Having signed the CPA on January 9, 2005 in Nairobi Kenya, Dr John Garang De Mabiar Commander-In-Chief and leader of the SPLA/M rebel group against the government of the Sudan had this to say:" I and those who joined me in the bush and fought for more than twenty years have brought to you CPA in a golden plate. Our mission is accomplished. It is now your turn, especially those who did note have a chance to experience bush life .

When time comes to vote at referendum, it is your golden choice to determine your fate. Would you like to vote to be second class citizen in your own country?, it is your choice." The above message clearly means that Dr Garang had washed his hands as did the Pilate at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Let us hope he is just looking down in Heaven unconcern with the mismanagement of those whom he had entrusted with the leadership to show the southern people where the referendum boxes are hidden. As someone who did not have a chance to experience bush life, I would like to be shown the location of the referendum ballot box so as to enable me determine my fate.

Among other things in the CPA, general elections are mentioned to precede the referendum which is to be carried out after an interim period of six years. Arrangements for the aforesaid elections have been in progress and we are just left as of today with two days. Unfortunately and to the shock, surprise and dismay of the southern people if at list those I have been in touch with in the last few days, the SPLM the party we have been looking forward to direct us to the ballot boxes, seems confused and may not even know where the ballot boxes might have been hidden by their partner in the CPA.  The SPLM according to their statements to the press, complain of irregularities, rigging, e.t.c.of elections by their partners to CPA and the GONU. As far as I know, the SPLM has an office in the Republican Palace for the 1st V/President well supplied with materials, equipment and personnel suitable for the conditions in life of a president of an independent sovereign state.

They have 28%of members of the National Assembly in Khartoum and ministers and ministers of states in the GONU.  The GOSS in Juba with all the administrative, political, judicial, security, media etc apparatus at their disposal, are they not ashamed to tell the southern people that despite their twenty years in the bush and despite the many PHD holders they have  absorbed into  the system, their partners have cheated them ? A lot of the southern youth have often disdainfully looked down upon the southern elders of 1947 Juba Conference,1955 Parliament ,1965 Round-Table-Conference,1972 Addis Ababa Agreement etc ,as people bought by the mundukuro.

The Jallaba or the Mundukuro or the Anguella or wad Langgaro have again cheated the most educated and well trained and experienced military personnel, how does the south Sudan proceed from here?  As the game is almost already up, I have nothing to offer in the way of advice other than to refer to my previous writings which are based on personal experience with the northern politician during my three terms as an MP in the National Assembly. The elections are to open the way to the referendum which the south is earnestly and in deed impatiently waiting. As such we have to enter them without fear of humiliation if we lose.

First of all the Islamic Fundamentalists of Omer Beshir took over the government of the Sudan in June 1989 illegally. They had no legitimacy to govern the country, no legitimacy to negotiate and to make agreement with southerners .But although the Sudan, Africa and the International Community, in line with their understanding of the 21st Century Global outlook of democracy, justice and transparency, cannot condone the sort of illegality the NCP is elbowing itself out to keep in power, yet there is nothing we can do to stop them. Iran , Afghanistan and Iraq  have just gone through elections and we know what have or are happening there. In short the SPLM ,to be seen as Constant, Consistent and continuing to uphold the banner of not to be slaves in their own country together with those of us who have not known the bush life, should enter elections for the national presidency, parliament and the other levels of lawmaking . What ever the results of those elections we will have to face them as men .Once more the SPLM must face the NCP in every constituency at every level including the national presidency or else let us accept to go back to slavery.

The author is a South Sudanese currently living the United States ; he can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.