By Atok Dan Baguoot
Time has come for us to say goodbye and bye to old ways of doing things to express and exercise our choices in a fashion of queues and lines in determining our shaky and always gloomy futures as analysts put it. Time has come for us to put aside our broken of yesterdays and to begin a new dawn, full of hope, happiness and joy for us generation and posterity. “The torch has been passed to a generation tempered by wars, who bore the hardship of economic distress and political turmoil” US President Barack.
Time has come for us to put our names on white and black register book for the forth coming elections in which most of us are going to vote for the first time in their life. I who was born late 1970s is also on board with us. Register now and check that you have registered and confirm that your name is spelt clearly. Days are numbered.
The torch has been passed down to us the youth of Southern Sudan, three areas of Abyei, South Blue Nile and Nuba Mountains, and the entire marginalised who bore the brunt of civil wars, whose life shrunk beneath the feet of absolute destitute. Let us register to vote.
There are only few days that are left in this calendar year in which our country will try the long coveted and desired moment of democratic elections of choosing who to sit in our parliaments and other palaces, who to decide on our daily and future affairs. Our forefathers fought for it likewise we tested the same baptism of fire at our earlier ages.
Our time is ripe enough to spearhead the exercise. We had been robbed and denied of our chances: that series of generations passed without tested the taking over their rights. In fact, the secret behind a presidential term limit in modern leadership power transfer is to give each and every generation there chance. For the case of five years two terms defines exactly what a generation is and if the tenant goes beyond that very limit, then certain generation has been robbed or denied.
So many generations have been robbed of their chances for instance, President Bashir has snatched chance of one generation and that generation is ready to sneak away with chance of another generation and the game continues to generation and posterity. This defines series and generations of conflicts on the continent of Africa. Sudan is never exceptional.
In African context of leadership, elders do tell young people that your time will come and indeed when that time comes, you deserve it. In Dinka Society, midwives begin identifying a baby at birth of what talent that baby will grow to. Hunters, metal worker, medicines person, born leader and all sort of careers were identified in young and whenever they grow up, elders were able to know exactly who is to do what. This concept actually was automatic alternation of power transfer. Leadership was not robbed unlike the Whites written theory which says “Power is 20% given and 80% taken.
Youth, let us go for 80% slogan because our elders are never ready for that and the only way of penetrating through is by registering now and later on vote in our large numbers. In African Unchained, George Ayitteh says :cheetahs and hippos, that cheetahs are the young with fresh blood to move Africa ahead while hippos as the old one whose term limit has come to an end yet they still cling to power, fiercely defending their base if attack. He said let these hippos leave watering hole and retire to shade. Agile and dynamic minds are needed to move us ahead for the next miles before we also retire to others. It is a natural order of things. We do not want to cause chaos to others when time comes for them.
It is youth that am writing to so that they able to direct their energies to their rightful cause and cease from petty tribal and clan politics of patronage. Politics is never accomplished game; you do yours and leave the rest to others. It is never a privilege to us but duly inalienable rights. “There is nothing shameful in falling down as long you are willing to stand up each time you fall”. These elders will never and never relinquish power to us. Strive for change and strive for leadership that has oasis of hope.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV; he is reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Shisha smoking rocks Southern Sudan war torn cities.
By Atok Dan Baguoot
It might sound vague and fake when not properly define but Shisha or (molasses tobacco) is a sticky dark-brown honey like substance which has partial sweet smell at a close distance. It is normally placed in a small silvered plastic plate metal connected with well decorated burette or long neck bottle resembles conical flask with water meant to reduce concentration of smoke which passes through while light grayish smoke comes out of smokers mouth and nose building cloudy environment around them.
It chemical contents and compositions remain illusive although researchers believed that Shisha provides its smokers with high appetite of all sorts of foods. While smoking (sucking), a person sweat severely which signifies relieve and displacement of natural body chemical energy through idle processes. Second to that, question of eating affinity of idle Shisha smokers who claimed to eat without work. What they eat remains unanswered question in the minds of mental realistic persons.
It started along the Arabian Peninsula amongst sailors who do overstay in the sea coldness while sailing to all parts of the world pursuing lucrative businesses hence; it found its way to modern Arab cities both in Middle East and Northern African cities of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria and eventually into Khartoum by surprise. As a matter of religious facts and denials, Arab traders used it to substitute pure tobacco smoking and drinking prohibited by Islamic laws and Sharia which actually gave it unquestionable passage in those lands of facts distortion. Couple to that it was found not contravening Islamic creed thus creating wider opportunities for redundant youths in all Egyptian cities to hurriedly pick it up immediately and move South ward of that glorified superior Arab nation where if something starts there then you don’t have to question.
After it gained considerable fame in Egypt and also realizing its repercussions they subsequently promulgated Parliamentary acts which barred it in public places as well as smoking during working hours but already it roots were now deepened in the Afro-Arab world largest slum known to as al Khartoum where 60% of its populace is idle according to International Labour Organization (ILO) facts finding research. As facts transfer, it rushed to its fertile zones of redundancy and idleness known as Southern Sudan after it was also barred by Khartoumers who had earlier on seen its negative contributions toward development. South was also its rightful place because it is a lawless and regional dumping zone of all sorts of junks discarded from all four cardinal points of the world. Prove me wrong if you can not see pictorial facts of young people smoking Shisha and drunk at 8.00Am in all our war torn cities of 21st Century which some people can either called our wrongful or rightful place of all kinds of illicit drugs.
Somebody might wonder of what a fake and vague idea the presenter is trying to bore him or her. Shisha is a hetero-practice of the jobless regardless of their age, sex; colour even skinned bleached people religious and region although few regions are found to be on the forefront in term of Shisha smoking. Analytically, Southern State Capitals bordering Northern Sudan emerged the worst meanwhile our Juba is also tallying behind them. Mathematical figures indicate that Bentiu Unity State where majority is supposed to be much busy leads in average of eight out of ten are idle and smoke, while five of ten does in Aweil, Northern Upper Nile is six of ten which smoke due to redundancy. And the prime reasons that accompanied the practice are that; their proximity to the North as well as frequent influx of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Northern Sudan the second birth place of Shisha meanwhile other illicit drugs in used are also found dominantly along the Southern Sudan and East Africa.
It might sound vague and fake when not properly define but Shisha or (molasses tobacco) is a sticky dark-brown honey like substance which has partial sweet smell at a close distance. It is normally placed in a small silvered plastic plate metal connected with well decorated burette or long neck bottle resembles conical flask with water meant to reduce concentration of smoke which passes through while light grayish smoke comes out of smokers mouth and nose building cloudy environment around them.
It chemical contents and compositions remain illusive although researchers believed that Shisha provides its smokers with high appetite of all sorts of foods. While smoking (sucking), a person sweat severely which signifies relieve and displacement of natural body chemical energy through idle processes. Second to that, question of eating affinity of idle Shisha smokers who claimed to eat without work. What they eat remains unanswered question in the minds of mental realistic persons.
It started along the Arabian Peninsula amongst sailors who do overstay in the sea coldness while sailing to all parts of the world pursuing lucrative businesses hence; it found its way to modern Arab cities both in Middle East and Northern African cities of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria and eventually into Khartoum by surprise. As a matter of religious facts and denials, Arab traders used it to substitute pure tobacco smoking and drinking prohibited by Islamic laws and Sharia which actually gave it unquestionable passage in those lands of facts distortion. Couple to that it was found not contravening Islamic creed thus creating wider opportunities for redundant youths in all Egyptian cities to hurriedly pick it up immediately and move South ward of that glorified superior Arab nation where if something starts there then you don’t have to question.
After it gained considerable fame in Egypt and also realizing its repercussions they subsequently promulgated Parliamentary acts which barred it in public places as well as smoking during working hours but already it roots were now deepened in the Afro-Arab world largest slum known to as al Khartoum where 60% of its populace is idle according to International Labour Organization (ILO) facts finding research. As facts transfer, it rushed to its fertile zones of redundancy and idleness known as Southern Sudan after it was also barred by Khartoumers who had earlier on seen its negative contributions toward development. South was also its rightful place because it is a lawless and regional dumping zone of all sorts of junks discarded from all four cardinal points of the world. Prove me wrong if you can not see pictorial facts of young people smoking Shisha and drunk at 8.00Am in all our war torn cities of 21st Century which some people can either called our wrongful or rightful place of all kinds of illicit drugs.
Somebody might wonder of what a fake and vague idea the presenter is trying to bore him or her. Shisha is a hetero-practice of the jobless regardless of their age, sex; colour even skinned bleached people religious and region although few regions are found to be on the forefront in term of Shisha smoking. Analytically, Southern State Capitals bordering Northern Sudan emerged the worst meanwhile our Juba is also tallying behind them. Mathematical figures indicate that Bentiu Unity State where majority is supposed to be much busy leads in average of eight out of ten are idle and smoke, while five of ten does in Aweil, Northern Upper Nile is six of ten which smoke due to redundancy. And the prime reasons that accompanied the practice are that; their proximity to the North as well as frequent influx of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Northern Sudan the second birth place of Shisha meanwhile other illicit drugs in used are also found dominantly along the Southern Sudan and East Africa.
Let’s maintain government properties properly
By Atok Dan Baguoot
Unlike the formation of the government of autonomous Southern region after the 1972 peace agreement where resources were scarce, officials of the government then had limited resources to begin with. Few cars which were there were used in alternating phases. The only car which used to carry the President to the office had first ferried the Ministers to their offices earlier in the morning in order to give time for the big boss Mr. Joseph Lagu. Other government officials normally find their means to offices punctually.
Uniquely, Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) brought about by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) had many advantages of which technological advancement played pivotal role in its quick access to modern resources. Deputy Directors have personal government numbered plate cars which they can use even at their private businesses. Departments have variety of resources ranging from modern office equipments. Government has provided Laptop computers owned by head of different departments to ease tedious job of lap paper work with internet services where information is taped from office to office, although it has minimized job for office messengers.
Because of all these resources, government properties are highly being misused by none other than office holders in the name of many that will come. We treat ourselves when sick; likewise, veterinary doctors treat animals when they are sick also. What is wrong when we take good care of the government properties, why we are unable to repair government properties more so cars which are subject to weekend’s damage especially when driven while half drunk. It is this very government which we had been yearning, crying and disturbing the whole universe to have self determination which will soon never be a dream but reality. Taking keen interest on the little would give you hint on taking care of much. Sooner shall the other 50% of the oil share be given to us if referendum affirms separation as preliminary opinion polls always suggest.
“For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery” said Jonathan Swift. It would be seen as source of evil slavery if we cannot take good management of government properties, if we cannot use properties as personal maximum care. We will be impoverished and economically enslaved.
From the period of 2006-2008, GoSS numbered cars formed 80% of the automobile machines on this few kilometers roads of Juba, but as far now, the number is dwindling on daily basis due to reckless use. And why because of I don’t care attitude mentality and mentality of not being held accountable. And why, more are coming, why because we are going away as independent state able to manage its own affairs. Taking care of your nuances is the genesis of independence and this actually defined why we don’t understand what needed where and when.
I’m bothered seeing all these Japanese machines wreckages littered ever where yet they didn’t come on their own. We opted to stay hungry and spent money on these tools in order to facilitate much we needed in the future. Let there be GoSS garages where these machines should be treated before their real expiration. Allow me overstep my duty in suggesting that, the government should devise means to punish culprits accused of mishandling public property on account that good care for long lasting management is achieved at the end of the day. The policy of you destroy it, repair it can best work here but this does not mean burdening our young innocent drivers who are up-to-date for their duties, whose leisure rights are infringed because they work up to bars at night. Weekend is not exceptional for them due to their docility. They go stay waiting for their bosses even if it is not working hours.
As a person in the heart of the government, pilfering of public properties is on high record without concern. Never blame our young parliament since it is a place where you go and sharpen your political blade for more political aspirations. It isn’t up to its mandate it was meant. Watch them coming back to second CPA’s parliament if they were for that job.
In fact, it sounds nonsense in the minds of few indulged but majority will agree with me that it is a frontline job. Let my colleagues of the SPLA department not sit back that they are nowhere to my discourse. Their red number plate cars are under severe extinction given the nature armies do their things, although they are much stricter in handling their affairs. They are smart but their smartness seems be fading away. To them Bilpam road has become the real rogue Bilpam path to Bonga in which most recruits lost their lives before facing the enemy back in Sudan. Bilpam road is killing most SPLA sophisticated cars before facing the real tough terrains at the country sites.
Lastly, computer virus has bogged down our machines in offices yet the internet there is being used for chatting with girls and boys friends more so youngsters called the dot com generation. Few sugar mummies and daddies informed are also chatting among themselves. Please my dear, extra use of internet apart from chatting, sending messages and accessing other crucial information is to active antivirus on our machines so that they do work efficiently. Computers in Southern Sudan Radio where am working is the pilot project.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV
Unlike the formation of the government of autonomous Southern region after the 1972 peace agreement where resources were scarce, officials of the government then had limited resources to begin with. Few cars which were there were used in alternating phases. The only car which used to carry the President to the office had first ferried the Ministers to their offices earlier in the morning in order to give time for the big boss Mr. Joseph Lagu. Other government officials normally find their means to offices punctually.
Uniquely, Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) brought about by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) had many advantages of which technological advancement played pivotal role in its quick access to modern resources. Deputy Directors have personal government numbered plate cars which they can use even at their private businesses. Departments have variety of resources ranging from modern office equipments. Government has provided Laptop computers owned by head of different departments to ease tedious job of lap paper work with internet services where information is taped from office to office, although it has minimized job for office messengers.
Because of all these resources, government properties are highly being misused by none other than office holders in the name of many that will come. We treat ourselves when sick; likewise, veterinary doctors treat animals when they are sick also. What is wrong when we take good care of the government properties, why we are unable to repair government properties more so cars which are subject to weekend’s damage especially when driven while half drunk. It is this very government which we had been yearning, crying and disturbing the whole universe to have self determination which will soon never be a dream but reality. Taking keen interest on the little would give you hint on taking care of much. Sooner shall the other 50% of the oil share be given to us if referendum affirms separation as preliminary opinion polls always suggest.
“For in reason, all government without the consent of the governed is the very definition of slavery” said Jonathan Swift. It would be seen as source of evil slavery if we cannot take good management of government properties, if we cannot use properties as personal maximum care. We will be impoverished and economically enslaved.
From the period of 2006-2008, GoSS numbered cars formed 80% of the automobile machines on this few kilometers roads of Juba, but as far now, the number is dwindling on daily basis due to reckless use. And why because of I don’t care attitude mentality and mentality of not being held accountable. And why, more are coming, why because we are going away as independent state able to manage its own affairs. Taking care of your nuances is the genesis of independence and this actually defined why we don’t understand what needed where and when.
I’m bothered seeing all these Japanese machines wreckages littered ever where yet they didn’t come on their own. We opted to stay hungry and spent money on these tools in order to facilitate much we needed in the future. Let there be GoSS garages where these machines should be treated before their real expiration. Allow me overstep my duty in suggesting that, the government should devise means to punish culprits accused of mishandling public property on account that good care for long lasting management is achieved at the end of the day. The policy of you destroy it, repair it can best work here but this does not mean burdening our young innocent drivers who are up-to-date for their duties, whose leisure rights are infringed because they work up to bars at night. Weekend is not exceptional for them due to their docility. They go stay waiting for their bosses even if it is not working hours.
As a person in the heart of the government, pilfering of public properties is on high record without concern. Never blame our young parliament since it is a place where you go and sharpen your political blade for more political aspirations. It isn’t up to its mandate it was meant. Watch them coming back to second CPA’s parliament if they were for that job.
In fact, it sounds nonsense in the minds of few indulged but majority will agree with me that it is a frontline job. Let my colleagues of the SPLA department not sit back that they are nowhere to my discourse. Their red number plate cars are under severe extinction given the nature armies do their things, although they are much stricter in handling their affairs. They are smart but their smartness seems be fading away. To them Bilpam road has become the real rogue Bilpam path to Bonga in which most recruits lost their lives before facing the enemy back in Sudan. Bilpam road is killing most SPLA sophisticated cars before facing the real tough terrains at the country sites.
Lastly, computer virus has bogged down our machines in offices yet the internet there is being used for chatting with girls and boys friends more so youngsters called the dot com generation. Few sugar mummies and daddies informed are also chatting among themselves. Please my dear, extra use of internet apart from chatting, sending messages and accessing other crucial information is to active antivirus on our machines so that they do work efficiently. Computers in Southern Sudan Radio where am working is the pilot project.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV
Projections of pools in Unity state
Atok Dan Baguoot
If these elections are to be free and fair, the outcomes would be marvelous, interesting and surprising because neither me nor you won’t like it and that is all about true democracy of the really democrats like what my senior college Nhial Bol called as democracy of non democrats. Nhial was actually right because the way SPLM nominated its flag bearers to contest in various positions indeed contradicted wishes of the marginalised that it had been advocating to grant justice, freedom and decent services.
It is an unfortunate situation in South Sudan that spade is normally called big spoon and spoon as tooth pick but if reality was to be there, they would have retain the original versions rather than that total iron. It is actually a simple task to fight for a just principle but hard to live to it. SPLM, like any other liberation movement on the continent had to experience interval power wrangling and contradicts itself in executing its principles. It was never a rare an unfortunate incident for SPLM but a normal phase encounters by any movement to get to its maturity in politics but it would be up to political party to handle its affairs without fear and favour among the cadres.
Nomination of candidates by the political party usually portray how united and mature is that very entity in handling its matters without favour and fear so long the party is guided by common ideology and believe. SPLM betrayed some of its powerful prominent leaders in the process of filing the candidates. In that concerted event, some leaders have seen themselves as being underestimated while other either got it as overestimated hence, internal rifts got conducive breeding ground.
This actually signifies by rampant independence of most of the former party strong diehard without blessing from the mother party which nursed them throughout their political life.
I would like to take us to unity state where the rift was at its peak since its grass root primaries in 2008 when the former chairman and incumbent governor Taban Deng Gai lost the chairmanship of the party to his comrade Dr. Joseph N. Monytuil Wejang, the current GoSS minister for Health in a disputed manner. In that election, division within the SPLM ranks was born in oil rich state and up to now the two gentlemen had never sat together as people bounds by the common ideology to shape the future of the party in that state.
These two gentlemen are from same Nuer tribe, well educated and patriotic and also from the same division according to internal geographical and political division that unity state used to be divided in sharing power. The two gentlemen polarized the state population in their own neo-ideologies contrary to common SPLM existing ideology of which the diehard of the party are supposed to adhere to. Public servants were assign job in the same favour. In fact, they became bipolar (two centres of parallel powers that never met) and SPLM became laughing stock.
Population from the two Dinka Counties was Tabanised and Monytuilised to the extent that daily bread for living is earned based on the two great ideologies. Now that Joseph Monytuil is no long in the competition in the post of governor according to the decision made by the party highest organ, political bureau and another strong woman has emerged as an independent candidate and given the fact that affirmative action is also posing its way into our political way of life, couple with grieve dislike of Taban Deng in the state. In reality, predictions of such a volatile even is always hard but with help of scientific opinion research, one can predict to the nearest. NCP has also filed a former governor, Paul Lily as their challenger. Masses in unity state are eager of change to the extent that they will violate the principle of better the devil you know than the angel you will know.
Nomination of Mr. Taban Deng as the SPLM flag bearer in the post of governorship is really a blow in the face to none other than but SPLM itself because it is contrary to what southern Sudanese masses fought for in two years to decide on the kind of governance and who to govern them. In the eye of true democrats, masses would have been allowed to choose who to represent them in a manner that respects both the party and masses. Imposition of leaders on people is what Late Dr. John Garang used to describe as regime of few cliques in Khartoum deciding on the political future of the Sudanese in their favour.
If this election is to be free and fair, and with mentality of change couple to Southern Ideology of leaning towards SPLM and if one is to be brutal frank, Angeline J Teny will win without doubt. Why? The population is tired, bored of Taban even when you just happen to say in Arabic (ana taban) am tired, people misquote it of Governor Taban. In fact, the NCP candidate will never win because Southerners are fatigued of North and whoever supported by North is definitely seen as betraying their cause.
Besides, that gender is an issue that needs special heed in today’s politics. In the current government of GoSS, there is only one woman out of nine men as governors thus, the three current women governor’s candidates are likely to win especially the Warrap and Unity state though Western Equatoria is somewhat still skeptical but based on her previous performances, she is to convince voters. They all come from three states found west of the River Nile in the South. One would have come from East of the Nile to at least equate well.
Back to prediction of the same pools in the election of other candidates to various parliamentary seats, state SPLM office failed to institute their electoral college hence, the whole thing was decided by the political bureau. Power sharing logic was applied to represent the two blocs between the Tabanised and Monytuilised affiliates and loyalists. Whatever did by the political bureau reflect the same ideology instead of personal contributions to the party. Equal numbers were nominated in all the counties representing bipolar as a mechanism of solving that deep rooted difference in the state.
Campaign will also follow the same chain so predicting the outcome of the election would only be determined by whose loyalists have the popularity but not party. Group affiliated to current governor would be accused of intimidating the rest while those others will cry loud of being denied access to polling centres. If SPLM was ready to have peace in that state, it would have nominated different candidate apart from the two as a smart way of defusing crisis but nomination of Taban was plainly seen as promotion of external hegemony over the state because there is no way somebody outside can recommend me as the best yet my kids and wife in the house differ in that recommendation and you insist that my family members don’t know me.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV and can be reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
If these elections are to be free and fair, the outcomes would be marvelous, interesting and surprising because neither me nor you won’t like it and that is all about true democracy of the really democrats like what my senior college Nhial Bol called as democracy of non democrats. Nhial was actually right because the way SPLM nominated its flag bearers to contest in various positions indeed contradicted wishes of the marginalised that it had been advocating to grant justice, freedom and decent services.
It is an unfortunate situation in South Sudan that spade is normally called big spoon and spoon as tooth pick but if reality was to be there, they would have retain the original versions rather than that total iron. It is actually a simple task to fight for a just principle but hard to live to it. SPLM, like any other liberation movement on the continent had to experience interval power wrangling and contradicts itself in executing its principles. It was never a rare an unfortunate incident for SPLM but a normal phase encounters by any movement to get to its maturity in politics but it would be up to political party to handle its affairs without fear and favour among the cadres.
Nomination of candidates by the political party usually portray how united and mature is that very entity in handling its matters without favour and fear so long the party is guided by common ideology and believe. SPLM betrayed some of its powerful prominent leaders in the process of filing the candidates. In that concerted event, some leaders have seen themselves as being underestimated while other either got it as overestimated hence, internal rifts got conducive breeding ground.
This actually signifies by rampant independence of most of the former party strong diehard without blessing from the mother party which nursed them throughout their political life.
I would like to take us to unity state where the rift was at its peak since its grass root primaries in 2008 when the former chairman and incumbent governor Taban Deng Gai lost the chairmanship of the party to his comrade Dr. Joseph N. Monytuil Wejang, the current GoSS minister for Health in a disputed manner. In that election, division within the SPLM ranks was born in oil rich state and up to now the two gentlemen had never sat together as people bounds by the common ideology to shape the future of the party in that state.
These two gentlemen are from same Nuer tribe, well educated and patriotic and also from the same division according to internal geographical and political division that unity state used to be divided in sharing power. The two gentlemen polarized the state population in their own neo-ideologies contrary to common SPLM existing ideology of which the diehard of the party are supposed to adhere to. Public servants were assign job in the same favour. In fact, they became bipolar (two centres of parallel powers that never met) and SPLM became laughing stock.
Population from the two Dinka Counties was Tabanised and Monytuilised to the extent that daily bread for living is earned based on the two great ideologies. Now that Joseph Monytuil is no long in the competition in the post of governor according to the decision made by the party highest organ, political bureau and another strong woman has emerged as an independent candidate and given the fact that affirmative action is also posing its way into our political way of life, couple with grieve dislike of Taban Deng in the state. In reality, predictions of such a volatile even is always hard but with help of scientific opinion research, one can predict to the nearest. NCP has also filed a former governor, Paul Lily as their challenger. Masses in unity state are eager of change to the extent that they will violate the principle of better the devil you know than the angel you will know.
Nomination of Mr. Taban Deng as the SPLM flag bearer in the post of governorship is really a blow in the face to none other than but SPLM itself because it is contrary to what southern Sudanese masses fought for in two years to decide on the kind of governance and who to govern them. In the eye of true democrats, masses would have been allowed to choose who to represent them in a manner that respects both the party and masses. Imposition of leaders on people is what Late Dr. John Garang used to describe as regime of few cliques in Khartoum deciding on the political future of the Sudanese in their favour.
If this election is to be free and fair, and with mentality of change couple to Southern Ideology of leaning towards SPLM and if one is to be brutal frank, Angeline J Teny will win without doubt. Why? The population is tired, bored of Taban even when you just happen to say in Arabic (ana taban) am tired, people misquote it of Governor Taban. In fact, the NCP candidate will never win because Southerners are fatigued of North and whoever supported by North is definitely seen as betraying their cause.
Besides, that gender is an issue that needs special heed in today’s politics. In the current government of GoSS, there is only one woman out of nine men as governors thus, the three current women governor’s candidates are likely to win especially the Warrap and Unity state though Western Equatoria is somewhat still skeptical but based on her previous performances, she is to convince voters. They all come from three states found west of the River Nile in the South. One would have come from East of the Nile to at least equate well.
Back to prediction of the same pools in the election of other candidates to various parliamentary seats, state SPLM office failed to institute their electoral college hence, the whole thing was decided by the political bureau. Power sharing logic was applied to represent the two blocs between the Tabanised and Monytuilised affiliates and loyalists. Whatever did by the political bureau reflect the same ideology instead of personal contributions to the party. Equal numbers were nominated in all the counties representing bipolar as a mechanism of solving that deep rooted difference in the state.
Campaign will also follow the same chain so predicting the outcome of the election would only be determined by whose loyalists have the popularity but not party. Group affiliated to current governor would be accused of intimidating the rest while those others will cry loud of being denied access to polling centres. If SPLM was ready to have peace in that state, it would have nominated different candidate apart from the two as a smart way of defusing crisis but nomination of Taban was plainly seen as promotion of external hegemony over the state because there is no way somebody outside can recommend me as the best yet my kids and wife in the house differ in that recommendation and you insist that my family members don’t know me.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV and can be reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
Let’s embrace unity to overcome these political hurdles in our life time
By Atok Dan Baguoot
Juba, 1st Aril. “To state the facts frankly is not to despair the future nor indict the past. The prudent heir takes careful inventory of his legacies and gives a faithful accounting to those whom he owes an obligation of trust”
In spite of all these political hurdles within the rank and file of opposition forces in the country as a respond to this current political turmoil fuelled by rigid stance posed by the National Congress Party NCP to make elections as something for national healing, peace is still needed so that the country is not plunge into untended war of selfish motives. This country is bigger than any of us whether it be a political party or individuals representing these organisations. For this reason, there could still be need to make war a history because we came from a very long way to where we are therefore, let our political decisions be guided by national interest since it is this very nation that gave birth to those political parties and without this political unfortunate country, this very confused NCP would never exist.
We the marginalised Sudanese especially the African ethnicities at the peripherals need to be much more cautious because all these trickery and dishonest politics would disadvantage us at the end of the whole saga, regardless of our geographical whereabouts. For the SPLM having pulled out of the republic presidential race at the last minute could possibly be seen as a kind of quite or even translated into so many possible reasons that are beyond my perception here, still our collective efforts as marginalised is of paramount given that referenda and popular consultations for the two regions of Southern Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile are on the political pipelines scheduled. SPLM didn’t quite; it would have quite in the battle fields.
If all marginalised were not people with natural short memories, we would have not forgotten why things go like that and we would not allowed our sons and daughters in the Sudan Arm Forces SAF up to now, a threatening element which the NCP uses to distort all national calendars in their myopic understanding of the Sudanese problems. Despite those political hurdles, what counts in politics is numerical strength which we already had. South alone in its mutative wars with proxy and auxiliary helps from Nuba people and Funj pressured rest of Sudan, whereas the recent political paradigm shift made by the Darfuris people provided the helm for the unity of the Sudan to approach elections as one united country.
It would never be far from the truth that the marginalised black Africans would embrace on their peripherals unity and wage a join war against the north if it is the Arab north that is the bottleneck towards national stability since century. And since it has become an eminent fact and crystal clear that descendants of Arabs in the Sudan don’t respect any legal agreement, the only way the will be able to grant others their dues is through genocidal wars, like what they had been advocating since then. I know genocide is bad but when everything reaches its saturated point, human mind becomes nothing but a mere rounded object on top of a person.
Therefore, it would be upon the aggrieved to devise means of rallying behind the SPLM and gain both cultural recognition and political momentum of brushing aside all that Sudan had been called a sovereign nation because this very sovereignty has no meaning if the country continues tortures its citizens in the name of abused sovereignty. Historically, Sudan has never exchange fire with any of its neighbouring countries but it has never rested in fighting its masses since independence. Having depleted all the former Soviet countries from firearms deals, it has shifted gears to bloody thirst China with poor human rights records in the same deal to continue killing its citizens.
Who is the target of these denounced chemical weapons acquired from China, it is the marginalised in the Darfur, in the Southern Blue, Nuba Mountains, let alone Southern Sudan. It would have been mechanized agricultural fields if not for the sake of God mercy. Whether be it scientifically, socially, economically and politically, Sudan will never be a country runs in the expenses of the under privileged as it used before, instead it will be smartly disintegrated into several ugly shapes based on who likes who and who hates who. Begin bidding for your option if you are from those northern marginalised.
Exceptionally, SPLM has bypassed all these premature hurdles thus, if life is to be normal before we could assume our political rights and privileges, there is a burning need to huddle together with the SPLM and echo at the top of our hoarse voices for our long detained rights. It is a factual evident that a right never defended by an owner is never granted on silver platter so, the only advisable remedy to our political problems in the Sudan is through the barrel of gun. Failure to do that, never think of signing any peace accord with the group within the description because there will never be a smarter document than the CPA and other accords.
I’m not trying to incite violence but a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people, so there is need to make people learn what is lacked and what is excess in order to pass correct diagnose of this long illness. I know we are political prisoners but there is a light at the end of the tunnel through SPLM.
Most of my senior colleagues in the profession do call me a journalist who has deviated from the ethics but I do tell them that the unlucky ones today in the South are those who assume adherence to the ethics of their careers yet their deeds is contrary to believes, unlike me who is openly exercising facts in a brutal frank manner. We will never heal from this infested historical wound unless we define why we cannot find lasting solution to the very always problem yet series of generations have been involved in correcting it. Inside us is a genetic settlement for less hence, our friend enemy explores and exploits deep within our corridors of alternatives.
We don’t do one thing wholeheartedly because of that inferior option. We have settled for tree top and ended up with tree trunk as the highest echelon of achievement leaving the whole sky to be explored by them. If all marginalised were my own kids, we would adorn in SPLM dresses and discard those few existing hurdles within the party with the objectives of dispensing a new chance for all the cornered Sudanese generations to aspire to inspire before our expiration dates so that a new legacy of hope is left for our kids and let that business of forwarding unfinished work to another generation comes to an end.
Finally, massive unity amongst us the marginalised would be the only outstanding strategy in addressing this confused political saga because what NCP is advocating for today is the establishment of supreme Arabs state in this country which none of us ever thought of calling it African Christian state due to its heterogeneity. What is so fanny about an Islamic and Arab state when we all don’t profess that chauvinistic shallow and selfish thinking? Let us swallow our internal differences and embrace one agenda because the current magnitude of this confusion will never know whether you are from SANU, UDF and forth but they know the language of hitting a slave with a slave when God who created everything has never created any of his creatures inferior. It is in this context that SPLM would always remain as a huge stone that we can gather around it and advocate for rights with unwavering and relentless efforts if issue of second citizen is to be a history in our life time. There shall come a time that everything shall come to pass but our identity shall never.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio and & TV and can be reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
Juba, 1st Aril. “To state the facts frankly is not to despair the future nor indict the past. The prudent heir takes careful inventory of his legacies and gives a faithful accounting to those whom he owes an obligation of trust”
In spite of all these political hurdles within the rank and file of opposition forces in the country as a respond to this current political turmoil fuelled by rigid stance posed by the National Congress Party NCP to make elections as something for national healing, peace is still needed so that the country is not plunge into untended war of selfish motives. This country is bigger than any of us whether it be a political party or individuals representing these organisations. For this reason, there could still be need to make war a history because we came from a very long way to where we are therefore, let our political decisions be guided by national interest since it is this very nation that gave birth to those political parties and without this political unfortunate country, this very confused NCP would never exist.
We the marginalised Sudanese especially the African ethnicities at the peripherals need to be much more cautious because all these trickery and dishonest politics would disadvantage us at the end of the whole saga, regardless of our geographical whereabouts. For the SPLM having pulled out of the republic presidential race at the last minute could possibly be seen as a kind of quite or even translated into so many possible reasons that are beyond my perception here, still our collective efforts as marginalised is of paramount given that referenda and popular consultations for the two regions of Southern Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile are on the political pipelines scheduled. SPLM didn’t quite; it would have quite in the battle fields.
If all marginalised were not people with natural short memories, we would have not forgotten why things go like that and we would not allowed our sons and daughters in the Sudan Arm Forces SAF up to now, a threatening element which the NCP uses to distort all national calendars in their myopic understanding of the Sudanese problems. Despite those political hurdles, what counts in politics is numerical strength which we already had. South alone in its mutative wars with proxy and auxiliary helps from Nuba people and Funj pressured rest of Sudan, whereas the recent political paradigm shift made by the Darfuris people provided the helm for the unity of the Sudan to approach elections as one united country.
It would never be far from the truth that the marginalised black Africans would embrace on their peripherals unity and wage a join war against the north if it is the Arab north that is the bottleneck towards national stability since century. And since it has become an eminent fact and crystal clear that descendants of Arabs in the Sudan don’t respect any legal agreement, the only way the will be able to grant others their dues is through genocidal wars, like what they had been advocating since then. I know genocide is bad but when everything reaches its saturated point, human mind becomes nothing but a mere rounded object on top of a person.
Therefore, it would be upon the aggrieved to devise means of rallying behind the SPLM and gain both cultural recognition and political momentum of brushing aside all that Sudan had been called a sovereign nation because this very sovereignty has no meaning if the country continues tortures its citizens in the name of abused sovereignty. Historically, Sudan has never exchange fire with any of its neighbouring countries but it has never rested in fighting its masses since independence. Having depleted all the former Soviet countries from firearms deals, it has shifted gears to bloody thirst China with poor human rights records in the same deal to continue killing its citizens.
Who is the target of these denounced chemical weapons acquired from China, it is the marginalised in the Darfur, in the Southern Blue, Nuba Mountains, let alone Southern Sudan. It would have been mechanized agricultural fields if not for the sake of God mercy. Whether be it scientifically, socially, economically and politically, Sudan will never be a country runs in the expenses of the under privileged as it used before, instead it will be smartly disintegrated into several ugly shapes based on who likes who and who hates who. Begin bidding for your option if you are from those northern marginalised.
Exceptionally, SPLM has bypassed all these premature hurdles thus, if life is to be normal before we could assume our political rights and privileges, there is a burning need to huddle together with the SPLM and echo at the top of our hoarse voices for our long detained rights. It is a factual evident that a right never defended by an owner is never granted on silver platter so, the only advisable remedy to our political problems in the Sudan is through the barrel of gun. Failure to do that, never think of signing any peace accord with the group within the description because there will never be a smarter document than the CPA and other accords.
I’m not trying to incite violence but a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people, so there is need to make people learn what is lacked and what is excess in order to pass correct diagnose of this long illness. I know we are political prisoners but there is a light at the end of the tunnel through SPLM.
Most of my senior colleagues in the profession do call me a journalist who has deviated from the ethics but I do tell them that the unlucky ones today in the South are those who assume adherence to the ethics of their careers yet their deeds is contrary to believes, unlike me who is openly exercising facts in a brutal frank manner. We will never heal from this infested historical wound unless we define why we cannot find lasting solution to the very always problem yet series of generations have been involved in correcting it. Inside us is a genetic settlement for less hence, our friend enemy explores and exploits deep within our corridors of alternatives.
We don’t do one thing wholeheartedly because of that inferior option. We have settled for tree top and ended up with tree trunk as the highest echelon of achievement leaving the whole sky to be explored by them. If all marginalised were my own kids, we would adorn in SPLM dresses and discard those few existing hurdles within the party with the objectives of dispensing a new chance for all the cornered Sudanese generations to aspire to inspire before our expiration dates so that a new legacy of hope is left for our kids and let that business of forwarding unfinished work to another generation comes to an end.
Finally, massive unity amongst us the marginalised would be the only outstanding strategy in addressing this confused political saga because what NCP is advocating for today is the establishment of supreme Arabs state in this country which none of us ever thought of calling it African Christian state due to its heterogeneity. What is so fanny about an Islamic and Arab state when we all don’t profess that chauvinistic shallow and selfish thinking? Let us swallow our internal differences and embrace one agenda because the current magnitude of this confusion will never know whether you are from SANU, UDF and forth but they know the language of hitting a slave with a slave when God who created everything has never created any of his creatures inferior. It is in this context that SPLM would always remain as a huge stone that we can gather around it and advocate for rights with unwavering and relentless efforts if issue of second citizen is to be a history in our life time. There shall come a time that everything shall come to pass but our identity shall never.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio and & TV and can be reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
Jongeli State should not just be a butchering zone
Atok Dan Baguoot
“Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind”, John Lancaster Spalding".
An initiative of peace and reconciliatory conference between the Murle and the Lou Nuer of Jongeli State to be held in Akobo is a constructive and a total developmental approach to bring lasting peace among the tribes in that volatile state which had been under constant threats of tribal and inter-clan conflicts since the inception of the government of Southern Sudan brought about by the CPA. This cross-board conference will do more helps if it is done to its expectations especially if all the influential citizens of state join wholeheartedly in addressing the conflicts from bottom up through its affiliated historical anchors and roots leaving no stone unturned for the well-being of the citizens.
Little beginning makes big ending therefore; nevertheless, other tribes would have been on board to usher the same direction but bear it that these two major tribes share some common features which distinguish them from their friends of Dinka, Anyuak/Anuak, Kachipo and other minor communities. All these dominant conflicts in Jongeli had not been part of the cultures of these tribes in the state but it had the sources where it was acquired. The genesis of these conflicts dates back to 1983 immediately after the birth of SPLA/M when different nations were raided and overran by external forces from the Sudan government forces causing havoc in all territorial vicinities of tribes. Subsequently, resistance emerged among remnants of Anya Anya 1 and 2 whose social bases were also disrupted by both the SPLA and Sudan armed forces to take over the control of the area.
Being the pathway to Bilpam, Lou Nuer sacrificed all their resources to the well-being of liberation directly and indirectly. Other neighbouring communities did the same alike. It is a clear fact that our movement was nursed using local resources and that why some communities like parts of greater Equatoria found it hard and termed it as Dinka and other tribes not in Equatoria affairs of looting their resources. It was people from greater Bahr el Ghazal and greater Upper Nile who responded promptly first to the SPLA war whistles. They were seen as revenging the Kokora when they first came to Equatoria. Likewise, areas of Lou Nuer, Murle, Gawaar and Gatjaak, while not forgetting Anyuak resistances to external depletion of their resources. But until late that the message was fully realized as something worth positive responds.
While, historical resistance of Lou Nuer to colonial governments’ also added flavour to fresh defenses of their territories. It was in Lou Nuer country that a first warplane was knocked down using big rounded-head stick. I might either sound naïve because of weak historical evidences and an exclusiveness of other nationalities whose contributions along the Bilpam ways overridden. The genesis of all these tribal conflicts stemmed as a respond to external aggressions. Each and every tribe was defending its resources and as a result that tribal myopic and shortsightedness rooted in the cultures of peace loving communities among the Southern Sudanese whom Arabs north now branded as anarchists unable to govern themselves yet it was due to their hash treatments which bred hostile habits.
Peace is among the rare gifts African religion is endowed. Hostility towards neighborhoods was deemed as a curse in one life especially when one does portray habits of jealousy, hatred and gossiping causing mayhems among people of different clans. In order to realize peaceful coexistence among tribes, there is need for joint and comprehensive participation of all the tribes and more so the participation of all the political class. To realize total peace, let all governments grant permission to all influential leaders, politicians, religious leaders, youth and everybody to have their inputs in ushering new era of peace in Jongeli. We are tired hearing news of deaths every now and then.
The impact of this postponed peace conference if done to its spirit shall be reflected in our daily affairs and it will be what our grand children shall praise us for. “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them”. For us to have a generation that survives the dreams of their founders, we ought to be more than just exemplary so that we are imitated well or end up being imitated as we do.
I know, it is easier to fight for principles than to live up to them but it should be within our core objectives that we exemplify our efforts so that we are not seen by our kids as selfish liberators who liberated not for the generations but for their own bottomless pits they never filled. As the slogan of leadership is to have visionary legacy, there is need for visionary legacy for Jongeli Kids too.
Lastly, the impact of the postponed peace if done later on would be nothing other than amelioration of sufferings of people. Jongeli state should not just be a butchering zone where precious innocent human beings are slaughtered like outcast creatures on no account but tribal incitement of which none benefits but all as victims. Bear with me that we normally regret equally whenever messages of deaths reach our senses so, why can’t we bear equal task to curb the vice wholeheartedly and rejoice equally. It is too useless to keep on blaming and pointing accusatory fingers to wrong people of bad omens which happen to us yet we are self witnesses. Let hold ourselves responsibly.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV; he is reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
“Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind”, John Lancaster Spalding".
An initiative of peace and reconciliatory conference between the Murle and the Lou Nuer of Jongeli State to be held in Akobo is a constructive and a total developmental approach to bring lasting peace among the tribes in that volatile state which had been under constant threats of tribal and inter-clan conflicts since the inception of the government of Southern Sudan brought about by the CPA. This cross-board conference will do more helps if it is done to its expectations especially if all the influential citizens of state join wholeheartedly in addressing the conflicts from bottom up through its affiliated historical anchors and roots leaving no stone unturned for the well-being of the citizens.
Little beginning makes big ending therefore; nevertheless, other tribes would have been on board to usher the same direction but bear it that these two major tribes share some common features which distinguish them from their friends of Dinka, Anyuak/Anuak, Kachipo and other minor communities. All these dominant conflicts in Jongeli had not been part of the cultures of these tribes in the state but it had the sources where it was acquired. The genesis of these conflicts dates back to 1983 immediately after the birth of SPLA/M when different nations were raided and overran by external forces from the Sudan government forces causing havoc in all territorial vicinities of tribes. Subsequently, resistance emerged among remnants of Anya Anya 1 and 2 whose social bases were also disrupted by both the SPLA and Sudan armed forces to take over the control of the area.
Being the pathway to Bilpam, Lou Nuer sacrificed all their resources to the well-being of liberation directly and indirectly. Other neighbouring communities did the same alike. It is a clear fact that our movement was nursed using local resources and that why some communities like parts of greater Equatoria found it hard and termed it as Dinka and other tribes not in Equatoria affairs of looting their resources. It was people from greater Bahr el Ghazal and greater Upper Nile who responded promptly first to the SPLA war whistles. They were seen as revenging the Kokora when they first came to Equatoria. Likewise, areas of Lou Nuer, Murle, Gawaar and Gatjaak, while not forgetting Anyuak resistances to external depletion of their resources. But until late that the message was fully realized as something worth positive responds.
While, historical resistance of Lou Nuer to colonial governments’ also added flavour to fresh defenses of their territories. It was in Lou Nuer country that a first warplane was knocked down using big rounded-head stick. I might either sound naïve because of weak historical evidences and an exclusiveness of other nationalities whose contributions along the Bilpam ways overridden. The genesis of all these tribal conflicts stemmed as a respond to external aggressions. Each and every tribe was defending its resources and as a result that tribal myopic and shortsightedness rooted in the cultures of peace loving communities among the Southern Sudanese whom Arabs north now branded as anarchists unable to govern themselves yet it was due to their hash treatments which bred hostile habits.
Peace is among the rare gifts African religion is endowed. Hostility towards neighborhoods was deemed as a curse in one life especially when one does portray habits of jealousy, hatred and gossiping causing mayhems among people of different clans. In order to realize peaceful coexistence among tribes, there is need for joint and comprehensive participation of all the tribes and more so the participation of all the political class. To realize total peace, let all governments grant permission to all influential leaders, politicians, religious leaders, youth and everybody to have their inputs in ushering new era of peace in Jongeli. We are tired hearing news of deaths every now and then.
The impact of this postponed peace conference if done to its spirit shall be reflected in our daily affairs and it will be what our grand children shall praise us for. “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them”. For us to have a generation that survives the dreams of their founders, we ought to be more than just exemplary so that we are imitated well or end up being imitated as we do.
I know, it is easier to fight for principles than to live up to them but it should be within our core objectives that we exemplify our efforts so that we are not seen by our kids as selfish liberators who liberated not for the generations but for their own bottomless pits they never filled. As the slogan of leadership is to have visionary legacy, there is need for visionary legacy for Jongeli Kids too.
Lastly, the impact of the postponed peace if done later on would be nothing other than amelioration of sufferings of people. Jongeli state should not just be a butchering zone where precious innocent human beings are slaughtered like outcast creatures on no account but tribal incitement of which none benefits but all as victims. Bear with me that we normally regret equally whenever messages of deaths reach our senses so, why can’t we bear equal task to curb the vice wholeheartedly and rejoice equally. It is too useless to keep on blaming and pointing accusatory fingers to wrong people of bad omens which happen to us yet we are self witnesses. Let hold ourselves responsibly.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV; he is reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
Lou Nuer is not all about killing
By Atok Dan Baguoot
Lou Nuer country of Uror County is situated in a fairly flat lands of the dry savannah grassland of Jongeli State and stretched adjacently northwest and north of the Murle lands while vertically north-northeast of Duk county. It also lays partially Southeast of Gawaar clan of Ayod County (Yod), whereas southwest of Lou Nuer of Nyirol County. It is characterized by scattered semi-arid thorny short trees which suit rural agricultural schemes. The land hosts thousands wildlife ranging from different spices of birds, other mammals as well as millions of domestic animals kept for cultural rituals, prestige and economical purposes, though it is partially rare for a Lou-Nuer headman to slaughter his animal for home consumption whenever there is hunger like now. Rare white ear cob is among spices found there.
Chieng-Dak (Dak-Diok) Land of Uror County is a country found on light black river fertile soils with few scattered acacia tree and other spices. It is a dry land from the look of things. Ninety percent 90% of the total population is illiterate. Few rural schools found there were constructed during war and post war. Construction of schools came possible after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). It used to be level four according to donors or UN agents operating in the area and up to now it still suits the language. Government of Southern Sudan Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin happens to be from there has contracted an Egyptian Company to construct Egyptian Complex School which still at the foundation now. “The first project ever in that area since creation” Dr. Marial said.
Efforts of few intellectuals in the area always remain unrealized because there are no old structures inherited as it happened all over Southern Sudan. These people are generally too religious although their religion perception is still centred on traditional believes. Christianity is deep rooted in Lou-Nuer. Taking mere drinking water requires serious prayer offering. All ages and sex are curious and receptive to new ideas but their old ways of live remains the central referral point of behavior to everyone in the country. On my way to Motot Payam, I met a group of young boys roughly age ten singing “Liberty for Boys” in deep Nuer accented English.
They love none boastful foreigners who do things in their likeness, speaking partial Nuer at least should be a medium. In spite of their arrogance when it comes to people who temper with them, Lou Nuer of Uror are still friendly and easy-smiles with everyone regardless of your origin. They are more oriented to donor relieving their conditions. In short, they have the mentality of dependent syndrome which I think was acquired during twenty years of war. Women are the backbone of the economy.
Despite all these Lou-Nuer of Uror County still have their negative nuances towards their neigbouring tribes of Jang (Dinka) and Jabe (Murle) and other neigbouring Nuer clans. Murle called them Jong-koth meaning warriors. Murle also called Bor Dinka as Mane-oti meaning yellow heads because of cow dung ashes smeared on their heads for decoration. They hate Murle and Duk Dinka more than any other persons near them.
Food security in Lou-Nuer of Uror County
The area was worst hit by the last year regional drought. Crops never yielded and water pools which water the population and millions of domestic animals had never had enough to run them through three to four month dry seasons. The dismay is that, Lou Nuer of Uror County is never in good terms with all their close neighbors. They have annoyed all their friends whom they depend on for water as their area is totally dry and dry. They are supposed to be in need of their friends more than anybody.
From the look of things, they would wish to have not created all those messes but no way out. In fact, the population is dying of hunger and thirst. The appeal is that, something ought to be done in time otherwise; things are tough for women, children and aged group. Able youth will either travel across region getting their ways to find water. The youth are armed to teeth with modern automatic rifles so they are able to penetrate through any territory but it won’t be possible. All traditional chiefs, elders and (Kume) or government authorities have convened and convinced these youth to handover their illicit weapons to government as they are source of sufferings to the masses.
As a matter of fact, Youth are more willing to handover their weapons to the disarmament team which is already on the ground but another alarming question is that, shall those whom they have quarreled with going to accept them come to their territories and if accepted will they be secure there if their neighbors are still armed.
This actually, answers the question of unanimous disarmament. Disarm Lou Nuer, disarm Bor Dinka, Gawaar, Murle, and Anyuak and up to Eastern Equatoria to avoid further infiltration of weapons once the exercise is thoroughly accomplished and continue naming many to disarm.
In fact, Youth in Lou Nuer of Uror County don’t like fighting their neighbors but competition over resources does compel them in aggressive act. Lack of pasture and water is the major reason above all given reasons. Passerby can see dire need of water. One of the youth leaders who attacked Duk Padiet told me how they hate Arabs and that Arabs cannot come to South so long they are alive. This also dismisses allegations that their ammunitions are brought from Khartoum and Khartoum sponsors all kinds of aggressions posed by the Lou Nuer Youth.
Lou Nuer youth are more innocent than perceived given the current political waves in the country. They only sing SPLA/M or thielA/thielM oyee in Nuer. The only government known in Uror County of Lou Nuer is the SPLM and Jongeli state government. Other political forces that form the government of Southern Sudan are just time wasting. The likely candidate to win in general elections in Lou Nuer later on will surely be an SPLM member. Everybody has SPLM table flag in his/her house including children. Political slogans begin with SPLM oyee, Jongeli State oyee and finally Dak-diok oyee. Traditional chiefs are the central agents of political success if one is to participate in politics in Lou Nuer, although Nuers have special fan on leaders unlike their next of kin Dinkas whose political might is on how social you are to the people. Nuers don’t discriminate but Dinkas do and that’s why more Dinkas are Nuer and few Nuers are assimilated into Dinka.
Lou Nuer is not all about killing but a place of peace and a worship as Nuer culture is all about. Prophet Ngundeng Bong was born there in the land of Bieh. It is a land of thousands of peaceful and worshippers whose life is deterred by natural calamities. Peace is all about what needed. Love is all about the order of the day.
I didn’t know what Lou Nuer was I until I made my four-day tour to the region and it was as four days in earthly hell if at all hell exists. It is a land lock country of thousands who move their ways throughout nights and days searching for change in life. The only exit and entrance now is by air. And the only question always asks by outsiders who visited the area is that: why there still closed districts yet the South fought for twenty years to liberate themselves from the yoke of slavery? The logical answer normally given by the concerned persons is that Rome was not built in a day.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV and he is reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
Lou Nuer country of Uror County is situated in a fairly flat lands of the dry savannah grassland of Jongeli State and stretched adjacently northwest and north of the Murle lands while vertically north-northeast of Duk county. It also lays partially Southeast of Gawaar clan of Ayod County (Yod), whereas southwest of Lou Nuer of Nyirol County. It is characterized by scattered semi-arid thorny short trees which suit rural agricultural schemes. The land hosts thousands wildlife ranging from different spices of birds, other mammals as well as millions of domestic animals kept for cultural rituals, prestige and economical purposes, though it is partially rare for a Lou-Nuer headman to slaughter his animal for home consumption whenever there is hunger like now. Rare white ear cob is among spices found there.
Chieng-Dak (Dak-Diok) Land of Uror County is a country found on light black river fertile soils with few scattered acacia tree and other spices. It is a dry land from the look of things. Ninety percent 90% of the total population is illiterate. Few rural schools found there were constructed during war and post war. Construction of schools came possible after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). It used to be level four according to donors or UN agents operating in the area and up to now it still suits the language. Government of Southern Sudan Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin happens to be from there has contracted an Egyptian Company to construct Egyptian Complex School which still at the foundation now. “The first project ever in that area since creation” Dr. Marial said.
Efforts of few intellectuals in the area always remain unrealized because there are no old structures inherited as it happened all over Southern Sudan. These people are generally too religious although their religion perception is still centred on traditional believes. Christianity is deep rooted in Lou-Nuer. Taking mere drinking water requires serious prayer offering. All ages and sex are curious and receptive to new ideas but their old ways of live remains the central referral point of behavior to everyone in the country. On my way to Motot Payam, I met a group of young boys roughly age ten singing “Liberty for Boys” in deep Nuer accented English.
They love none boastful foreigners who do things in their likeness, speaking partial Nuer at least should be a medium. In spite of their arrogance when it comes to people who temper with them, Lou Nuer of Uror are still friendly and easy-smiles with everyone regardless of your origin. They are more oriented to donor relieving their conditions. In short, they have the mentality of dependent syndrome which I think was acquired during twenty years of war. Women are the backbone of the economy.
Despite all these Lou-Nuer of Uror County still have their negative nuances towards their neigbouring tribes of Jang (Dinka) and Jabe (Murle) and other neigbouring Nuer clans. Murle called them Jong-koth meaning warriors. Murle also called Bor Dinka as Mane-oti meaning yellow heads because of cow dung ashes smeared on their heads for decoration. They hate Murle and Duk Dinka more than any other persons near them.
Food security in Lou-Nuer of Uror County
The area was worst hit by the last year regional drought. Crops never yielded and water pools which water the population and millions of domestic animals had never had enough to run them through three to four month dry seasons. The dismay is that, Lou Nuer of Uror County is never in good terms with all their close neighbors. They have annoyed all their friends whom they depend on for water as their area is totally dry and dry. They are supposed to be in need of their friends more than anybody.
From the look of things, they would wish to have not created all those messes but no way out. In fact, the population is dying of hunger and thirst. The appeal is that, something ought to be done in time otherwise; things are tough for women, children and aged group. Able youth will either travel across region getting their ways to find water. The youth are armed to teeth with modern automatic rifles so they are able to penetrate through any territory but it won’t be possible. All traditional chiefs, elders and (Kume) or government authorities have convened and convinced these youth to handover their illicit weapons to government as they are source of sufferings to the masses.
As a matter of fact, Youth are more willing to handover their weapons to the disarmament team which is already on the ground but another alarming question is that, shall those whom they have quarreled with going to accept them come to their territories and if accepted will they be secure there if their neighbors are still armed.
This actually, answers the question of unanimous disarmament. Disarm Lou Nuer, disarm Bor Dinka, Gawaar, Murle, and Anyuak and up to Eastern Equatoria to avoid further infiltration of weapons once the exercise is thoroughly accomplished and continue naming many to disarm.
In fact, Youth in Lou Nuer of Uror County don’t like fighting their neighbors but competition over resources does compel them in aggressive act. Lack of pasture and water is the major reason above all given reasons. Passerby can see dire need of water. One of the youth leaders who attacked Duk Padiet told me how they hate Arabs and that Arabs cannot come to South so long they are alive. This also dismisses allegations that their ammunitions are brought from Khartoum and Khartoum sponsors all kinds of aggressions posed by the Lou Nuer Youth.
Lou Nuer youth are more innocent than perceived given the current political waves in the country. They only sing SPLA/M or thielA/thielM oyee in Nuer. The only government known in Uror County of Lou Nuer is the SPLM and Jongeli state government. Other political forces that form the government of Southern Sudan are just time wasting. The likely candidate to win in general elections in Lou Nuer later on will surely be an SPLM member. Everybody has SPLM table flag in his/her house including children. Political slogans begin with SPLM oyee, Jongeli State oyee and finally Dak-diok oyee. Traditional chiefs are the central agents of political success if one is to participate in politics in Lou Nuer, although Nuers have special fan on leaders unlike their next of kin Dinkas whose political might is on how social you are to the people. Nuers don’t discriminate but Dinkas do and that’s why more Dinkas are Nuer and few Nuers are assimilated into Dinka.
Lou Nuer is not all about killing but a place of peace and a worship as Nuer culture is all about. Prophet Ngundeng Bong was born there in the land of Bieh. It is a land of thousands of peaceful and worshippers whose life is deterred by natural calamities. Peace is all about what needed. Love is all about the order of the day.
I didn’t know what Lou Nuer was I until I made my four-day tour to the region and it was as four days in earthly hell if at all hell exists. It is a land lock country of thousands who move their ways throughout nights and days searching for change in life. The only exit and entrance now is by air. And the only question always asks by outsiders who visited the area is that: why there still closed districts yet the South fought for twenty years to liberate themselves from the yoke of slavery? The logical answer normally given by the concerned persons is that Rome was not built in a day.
Atok Dan is a journalist working with Southern Sudan Radio & TV and he is reached at atokfuture@gmail.com
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