The broken social boundaries in South Sudan Jul. 04 Featured, Uncategorized 43 comments
BY: ELHAG PAUL, South Sudan, JUL/04/2013, SSN; The third Equatoria meeting in two years dubbed ‘Equatoria Consultative Conference’ with the theme “Fostering Equatoria Leadership in Building Cohesive Nation” held on 8th and 9th May 2013 at Nyakoruon Cultural Centre in Juba, rattled the presidency. It is reliably reported that both the president and his deputy were furious with the three governors of Equatoria for holding the conference although Bahr El Ghazal later followed suit. In the article ‘Machar warns against sliding into regional politics in the country’ (Sudan Tribune, 2nd June 2013) http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article46795 the vice president makes his views against Equatoria’s right to association clear confirming the report. Surely, there is nothing wrong with regionalism but what we are seeing is a display of ignorance and unfounded fear from ill informed people and this is what is holding the country back from development. Unlike the fanatic opponents of regionalism, Dr Machar is not ignorant, but he is an opportunist who wants to exploit every loophole available to get his paws on the presidency of Republic of South Sudan. Compare and contrast his stance against regionalism with his support for federalism in the article ‘Vice-president says federal system best for governing South Sudan’ (Sudan Tribune 4th June 3023) http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article46836 In short, in all this hocus pocus of regionalism and federalism, deep inside Dr Machar lies feelings of insecurity masked by his flashing smile. He is basically afraid of SPLM Oyee losing power. He prefers to use the securely built-in tribalism in the Oyee machine to accede to the presidency. It is understood that both president Kiir and Dr Machar ranted demanding to know why Equatorians were meeting at that particular time and what good would that bring to the country. Strange! Is it not? What is wrong with Equatorians meeting? Do they not have any right to meet? Of-course they do, but remember that this ridiculous questioning is part of a strategy used by the ruling ethnic groups to keep the whole region of Equatoria under their control within the SPLM Oyee machine. After all, what is the point of trying to humiliate the governors when the whole event was transparent and more over the resolutions of the conference was submitted to them? President Kiir and his deputy want to be the ones to tell Equatorians what they can do and what they can not do. This is important for them because they can only exercise unfettered power in the country (which they have done now for three decades) by keeping the Equatorians divided and in a state of confusion. Just as Willie Lynch, the enslaver, controlled African slaves in America in 18th century, through, “fear, distrust and envy”, the duo is attempting to do the same in Equatoria. After all, Dr John Garang did it before them. The biggest threat to the current system is the coming of Equatorians together because if the Equatorians unite, the other equally oppressed tribes in the whole country are likely to gravitate towards them and this would mean the end of the current abusive rule. So, although president Kiir and his deputy Dr Machar are at each other’s throat now, they are united in keeping Equatoria down. Assured by their control of the various militia groups in the country and the sad history of Equatoria in the last three decades, both president Kiir and Dr Machar now want to guarantee that Equatoria remains cowed without any leaders for them to continue with their exploitation of the country. The reported interaction between the governors and the presidency amounts to intimidation which constitutes violence on the part of the presidency in pursuance and maintenance of oppression. Jieng oppression is crystal clear for everyone to see in the country. It does not need research to validate or digging into to convince people. It is there in your face. It saturates the entire space of South Sudan. The starkest evidence is illustrated by the problem of boundaries. Since 1983 through the SPLM/A, the dominant ruling groups violated all the boundaries that existed between them and the other groups in South Sudan. The concept of boundary often is ignored by people. But in reality it is the most important aspect in relationship. Respect between individuals and communities are maintained by boundaries. In a sense boundaries governs behaviours of people and through it problems are either solved, or exacerbated between individuals and communities. Therefore, without question it is a very important aspect in maintenance of peace and stability. It is only in cases of oppressed groups that often one finds that their boundaries in terms of space, bodies, environment (land), interaction and traditional laws are violated by invaders at will. Oppressors like president Kiir and his deputy believing in their illegitimate power find it easy to disrespect the Equatorians by carpeting their governors for exercising their right to free association. They intrude into spaces which under normal situation they should not. This intrusion is serious because it deprives the Equatorians of the ability to think freely and decide on their affairs without duress. Whether the presidency appointed them or not, the fact that these governors now are accepted as leaders of Equatoria they must be given that respect of free association with their people. After all, the right to free association is enshrined in the interim constitution of South Sudan. President Kiir in Yei in 1997 audaciously called Equatorians ‘cowards and women’ in public meeting. He repeated the same utterance in Yei in 2004. This abuse might not have been taken serious at the time, but it actually served to undermine self-worth and confidence of the Equatorians. It was an attack on their bodies. It injured their inner selves making them feel powerless. The current inaction of Equatorians which is induced helplessness is down to the negative language that the Jieng use frequently to violate the boundaries of Equatorian bodies. Thus the language used to disarm an opponent is therefore the weapon that breaks the core of the self in relationship. It is also the tool that stratifies societies into classes, have and have-nots, empowered and dis-empowered and so on. Another violation of boundaries relates to the manner in which Equatorian girls/women are treated by the Jieng. Unprotected, given the fact that their men have been divided and terrorised, in most cases, against their will, the women are violated and abused helplessly. For instance, in 1990s Mangar, the SPLA commander in Kaya murdered a young beautiful girl named Maka by inserting a metal object into her private parts and twisting it round, because she refused to marry him. Such stories are plenty and wait to be told in details. It is unfortunate that the so called healing and reconciliation programme may not even touch such stories. Similarly, the issue of land grabbing in Equatoria has at its core the fact that the boundaries of environment in Equatoria have been destroyed. The dominant ruling groups do not care or recognise that there are local rules and laws that govern the distribution of land in Equatoria. Knowing very well that they are the powers that be, they freely grab land wherever they feel like with impunity causing the local people immense pain. These oppressors leave their villages and lands intact and deliberately come to destabilise settled communities in Equatoria because they control the SPLM/A Oyee machine and therefore the government of South Sudan. Take for example the case of Nimule where the Jieng are basically running riot as if they were the indigenous people. The broken boundaries of Equatoria both tangible and intangible are things that the oppressors want to maintain at all cost if Equatoria is to remain nothing in the politics of South Sudan. If Equatoria is to ever rise again its relationship with the current dominant groups and the others need to be clearly re-defined. That definition must be underpinned by nothing but its interest only. Which means that Equatorians must first pay allegiance to Equatoria’s interest. This should be done regardless of their political beliefs and difference. Equatoria must always come first no matter what because in adopting such a stance it will be and continue to be formidable in balancing out things for the greater good of the country. For instance, the dominant groups during the war with Arabs did not actually care whether South Sudan was liberated or not. They were relentlessly pursuing their tribal interest only. This stance saw their prominent members frequently selling themselves out to the Arabs and then defecting back to the movement with impunity. The cause of South Sudan was more or less reduced to a business to be exploited. They shuttled between Khartoum, Nairobi and the bush like officials commuting between work and home daily. When the CPA came they became the winners of the day by default. Unlike the Equatorians who paid allegiance to the liberation of South Sudan and turned out to be the losers. This is a good lesson that Equatorians must learn. What the current governors are doing now though their behaviour rightly is subject to harsh critique should be seen as the first steps towards recovery and rehabilitations of greater Equatoria. Whether president Kiir will sack the governors or not should not be of any significance at this point. What is important is for Equatorians to stand up for the interest of Equatoria knowing that the whole region will be behind them and will protect them in any eventualities. If one governor is sacked who ever replaces him/her should do exactly what their predecessor had done to prove the point. Now that both president Kiir and his deputy have rebuked Equatoria, this should be taken as a catalyst for Equatoria to fully flex its muscle by throwing down the gauntlet. Col. Joseph Bakasoro did it when the SPLM deselected him in 2010 general elections. He ran for the governorship as an independent candidate and handsomely won. This was evidence that if a candidate is honourable and liked by his/her people he/she can easily win regardless of the odds. He, Bakasoro, or Luis Lobong or Clement Konga or Alfred Lado Gore etc should enter the fray now with that experience in mind. Let them contest for the chairmanship of SPLM party itself with the intention to later contest for the presidency of Republic of South Sudan. If SPLM deselects them, let them then agree on one of them to stand for the presidency as an independent candidate. SPLM is already a soiled organisation and its current leaders are tainted beyond retrieval. Any none SPLM/A candidate nominating himself/herself for the presidency stands a better chance of winning. Some people may ask as to why Equatoria should do this. The answer is simple. This is the first step in the road to full recovery from oppression and helplessness. It will signify that the people are beginning to regain their confidence and also value themselves. Thus they can take decisions for themselves and not be told by others of what they should expect and do. The nonsense spoken about freely of Equatorians being nominated by the duo in the presidency as running mates should be seen an insult to the most capable section of the society. Why should someone else decide what is good for Equatoria? Is this not a concrete evidence of Equatoria’s subjugation? Is Equatoria not capable of making its own choice? Why can one of the others be a running mate to any of the mentioned Equatorians? For example, Dr Riek being a running mate for Bakasoro or Lobong. Is this scenario not contemplated just because Equatoria does not have militia? Why should South Sudanese be held captive to warlords? Mathematically using the results of the last census, an Equatorian candidate stands equal chances of winning the presidency of Republic of South Sudan. In fact such a candidate may by default even have an edge over the others for the following reasons. SPLM Oyee poor governance has had a very negative impact on all the other 60 tribes or so of South Sudan. For certain, most of these tribes do not want anything to do with the current leaders for obvious reasons – violence, land grabbing, raping of young girls and women, abuse of power, looting, lack of foresight, massive corruption, lack of rule of law and you name it. SPLM has totally failed to provide any kind of direction or service to the people. As it is now, they have outsourced service provision to the NGOs without incurring a dime. SPLM Oyee has neglected the organised forces which supposedly are its backbone. SPLM Oyee’s rule has tarnished the image of South Sudan internationally squandering the initial good will from the international community. The majority of South Sudanese tacitly now accept that if South Sudan is to be saved from catastrophe it needs a leader from any of the smaller tribes. If South Sudan manages to produce a leader from one of the smaller tribes in 2015 and that is if at all elections are held, it stands a better chance of stabilising the country which is what everyone would want. But this can only happen if the smaller tribes can put their act together for the general good of the country. The smaller tribes need to know that this is a duty to be performed by them at all cost for the stability of South Sudan. The current ruling ethnic groups must accept that they have decimally failed in leading South Sudan. Their behaviour with state resources and abuse of security apparatus beggars believe. South Sudan today is a failed state because of their utter mismanagement. Therefore, the people of South Sudan should not give the current rulers another term to plunder the country further. If South Sudanese want to dig out this country from the current mess, then the way forward is already suggested above. Digging the country out involves restoring the broken social boundaries and relationships between the various ethnic groups of South Sudan. So, if South Sudan is to be saved at all, Equatoria must rise up, carry the torch of governance and shatter the myth of majority waved in their faces day in and day out endlessly. Thus, it necessitates that a president from the minority groups comes to power to play the role of a unifier and a fair and just arbiter. [Truth hurts but it is also liberating] Elhag Paul [email protected] << Older Newer >> 43 Comments Dan July 4, 2013 at 8:40 pm Not all Equatorians were on the side of the movement during the wars. Good examples would be professor Wani Tombe and the current governor of central Equatoria Wani Konga. They were benefiting from the Khartoum government like their fellow collaborators from the other regions of Upper Nile and Bargazal. Reply Lukudu Gatkuoth Garang July 6, 2013 at 9:48 am Dan: You forgot to mention General Alison Magaya, the current Minister of Interior and all the Kokora warlords including Dr.JAC Ramba. Most of the Equatorian politicians who are currently whining and bitching on the SSN about Dinka and Nuer had all collaborated and benefited from the Arabs during the liberation war. The list of those Equatorian traitors/collaborators is extremely long and annoying. Undoubtedly, it will be revealed and made public during the presidential election in 2015. Those politicians are tribalists, selfish and heartless people and they should be treated they way they are. They do not deserve to be elected president of South Sudan in 2015. Dinka and Nuer had liberated them from the slavery and abuse, forgiven their atrocities and treasons and yet they are still plotting to bury Jieng and Nuer alive in South Sudan. What kind of people are you my fellow Countrymen? I, Lukudu Gatkuoth Garang, have firmly declared that I would never kill myself nor immigrate to Gambella-Ethiopia in order to be a good Dinka or Nuer as you (the Equatorian politicians) believe that the Good Dinka or Nuer is the dead one or the ones who have immigrated to Gambella-Ethiopia for good.. Really Mr. Elhag Paul and Dr. Ramba? Do I really have to die in order to be a good Citizen of yours? Does Mr. GatCharwearbol and Mr.Dau-Network ,who have been campaigning,appealing and licking your feet politically and tirelessly on the SSN for your leadership, have to die or immigrate to Gambella-Ethiopia or USA in order to be good Citizens of yours? Oh my Lord,Ngundeng! What a pity ? Please take it from me, Gatkuoth Garang, I will never bow down nor pretend to be Mr.Right/Mr.Good for those who do not accept me the way I’m and/or recognize me as their fellow Countryman. Those who have no sympathy and regard for the Nuer and Dinka soldiers who had sacrificed their own precious lives to redeem them from the 50 plus years of the Arab slavery. Please go ahead and organize all those small tribes against Jieng and Nuer and we will decide the fate of the presidency and the future of the Republic of South Sudan either by Ballots or Bullets in 2015. Reply Bentiu Ramaran July 6, 2013 at 7:10 pm Gatkuoth Garang, I agree with you 100 percent. Not even some of them but all Equatorians men did not participate in liberations of South Sudan but instead they were against liberators. They were shooting SPLA soldiers randomly when the SPLA soldiers passed by their villages. The SPLA soldiers suffered too many casualties from Equatorians people. The SPLA soldiers bought their foods with ammunitions. Something like this never happened in UPPER NILE and Bar-EL-Gazel regions. In both Bar-El-Gazel and UPPER Nile regions, the SPLA soldiers did not buy food, instead the civilians in these areas gave their food to soldiers free of charge. To be honest with you, whether you believe it or not, all the names of the young women in the villages around Juba areas were registered by Sudan government soldiers. So every evening those young women would report themselves to the Sudan Government military base so they could have sex with soldiers all night. This is a true story I am not making it up, I had conversation with equatorian men whose daughters involved in such activities and I had a conversation with equatorian women who were affected by such terrible acts. Thus, these cowards equatorian men were unable to liberate themselves until Dinka and Nuer came from Bar-El-Gazel and UPPER Nile to liberate them from such dangerous situations. Dinka and Nuer did not do something terrible like that to Equatorian women, instead we rescued them the lions dents. My friends, now you keep saying you are small tribes, let me give you an example of one small tribe which contributed in SPLA in large number. Shulluk is one of the small tribes in South Sudan, but their contribution in the SPLA was far greater than all the 3 equatorian states. I wish you wicked Equatorians could be exchanged with Nubians who participated a lot in the SPLA so no one could talk about you at all any more. You equatorians are so goofy, idiotic, tribalists, and mindless human beings. The unity of Great of Equatoria is like the unity of 1 million birds which can be chased away by one person. Do whatever you want to do. Reply Ater Jieng July 7, 2013 at 12:23 am Dear Mr. Lukudu Gatkuoth Garang. I’m very grateful indeed for your support and stance for Nuer and Jieng. It is true that Mr. Elhag Paul and his kith and kin are blood suckers who want to take advantage of Jieng and Nuer. Thank you for your support. Keep it up! Reply Dan July 7, 2013 at 12:34 am Lukudu Gatkuoth Garang, I did not forget them. It is only that there are too many of them to be listed. So I just gave him the tip of the iceberg in case he was not aware as he seems to be clueless most of the times. Reply Kenyi Lo Equatoria July 6, 2013 at 12:37 pm Dan, Have u forgetten your uncles who were there with Arabs? During liberation only Equatoria towns were closed for free movement but Not Barh el gazel and Upper Nile. Reply Dan July 7, 2013 at 12:24 am Kenyi lo Equatoria, If by my uncles you meant anyone from Bhar el gazel and Upper Nile, then I have not forgotten them . You just need to read my first comment again. Reply Eastern July 5, 2013 at 5:52 am Dear Elhag, With due respect, your observations are valid: Equatorians are viewed as outsiders in a country they dearly contributed to realize. It is preposterous to label Equatorians cowards to say the least. Jieng hegemony is seen in its grand outlook in South Sudan now than was observed during the war. From Akoka up north to Nimule down south and from Wau in the west to Nadapal in the east, the Jieng want to lord it over others. The greed for money, land, leadership and shear arrogance and deceit has eaten many a Jieng people – the latest being Ahmed Deng Alor, though many pretend to know him by that name. Cry the beloved country! Equatorians will not take the ills meted out on them laying down. It will adopt the most civil manner to engage stakeholders in charting the way forward. Reply Leader July 5, 2013 at 7:54 am Dear Paul, No one from Dinka or Nuer objects to an Equatorian or person from any other small tribes to come to power at all. But your wish for other 60 tribes to unite against Jieng and Nuer will never materialise. It was tried during the war but never succeeded. In fact SPLM/A was labelled as a Dinka organisation in order to discourage International community from giving it support. I suggest the best way is not to unite against each other but to engage one another and for like-minded people to come together against bad leaders. I must also remind you that Dinka alone makes 40% and Nuer 20% of South Sudanese populace. Given the fact on the ground if Dinka unite for fear that people like you who bear hatred against them are out to harm them, then the situation will be worse. As for the presidency come 2015, why do you encourage other leaders from Equatoria to contest within SPLM or as Independent. I think you can as well do it since you know very well what is best for Equatoria. That is the truth (I don’t know whether it will liberate you). Reply Elhag Paul July 5, 2013 at 7:33 pm Dear Leader I am afraid you are ignorant about the population of South Sudan and the reality about the percentages that make the entire population. Right from 1947 the Jieng and the Nuer combined make 32 percent of South Sudan and since then this figure has remained more or less the same until today. What this means is that the growth of both tribes has been proportional to all the others. The Jieng are 18 percent and the Nuer are 14 percent. In Equatoria alone the Azande make 12 percent, almost equal to the Nuer. So I do not know where you get your figures from. I suggest you check out your wild figures against the results of the last census. The sad thing is that the Jieng fraudulently want to claim a huge majority in order to lord it over the others. This is not going to work. The Jieng have demonstrated clearly that they have no skills in people management. As for contesting for leadership in the SPLM Oyee party, I want to inform you that I am not a member and I do not want to associate myself with a party that is known for all sorts of ills. However, I have a right to advise members of this party associated with me regionally and it is up to them to take or leave it. For your information, majority does not mean anything. In Rwanda the Hutu make up 87 percent of the country, yet the Tutsi who make 13 percent overthrew them and are ruling the country responsibly. The same goes for Burundi. In Uganda the majority are the Baganda, yet the Ankole are the ruling group and they are doing it in style. The evidence suggest people who claim majority in order to rule are the spoilers in most societies. I hope you have learnt something to liberate yourself. Reply Bentiu Ramaran July 6, 2013 at 7:22 pm Elhag Paul, No problem you can rule but you need to campaign peacefully. Do not the tribes but the system. Reply LL Reuben July 7, 2013 at 1:37 am Elhag, Same article different title year in and out, it starts with Jieng being really bad and ends with Jieng being really bad. You’re uniting the Dinka and even Nuer and Dinka without knowing. Few bad Jiengs and Nuer don’t amount to the whole tribes, but unfortunately this is how you see it, so proceed with your insanity until you crash -land. Feeding the forum with insinuations purported as facts or legitimate historical records will not “liberate” you and those you deem to liberate with such callous ambition. In my opinion, you clearly lack professionalism in your writing that’s shown by your inadequate stipulation of true facts. Or do you just choose to ignore and distort facts? If so you’re a cataleptic hypocrite. If Salva has failed our country, he’d failed as Salva and those who work with him in his government including your tribes-men and women. Why do the entire Jieng automatically become replicas of Salva’s failed records (if this is the case) in your mind’s eye sight? To those mocking Greater Equatorian promiscuously because of Mr. Paul writing, please refrain from it completely. Keep pounding Elhag with true facts and reasonable analysis and in the end he’ll have nowhere to dodge or escape and consequently he’ll be forced to succumb to reality otherwise his ill writing will yield no significant effect. Paul is a mouth-piece of the opposition party (..s); he doesn’t speak for the entire population of the greater Equatoria. His simple brainless strategy of amassing all sorts of dirt and dumping it on SPLM and Dinka and sometimes Nuer fits well with my assessment of the man. Reply Majongdit July 7, 2013 at 9:02 am El Hag Paul, Quote the source where you got those figures. Do you think you are talking to illiterates? Leave all that and go get the results for 2008 census. I also want to give you a valuable advice: there is no Rwanda in South Sudan. We know very well the circumstances under which the Tutsis overthrew the Government. It was a foreign backed scheme and it was necessitated by the genocide. In Uganda, Museveni campaigns hard to get Buganda votes to clinch the Presidency. If you were really clever you could be using the same tactic. I know if Wani Igga, not you, contests elections he’ll get the Dinka and Nuer votes. You have decided to canvassing throughout the Dinka spraying abuses and planting hatred; from it what you will reap shall only be failure lest you change your political tactics. Thank you Reply Choromke Jas July 5, 2013 at 11:04 am I nominate Kosti Manibe for President! Reply Diu J.Kuek July 5, 2013 at 6:20 pm Elhag Paul The title of your article sounds nice but in the content it looks as you are desperate from this on going political debate in our Country; so you are turning your political view from personal challenge into tribal instigating and fuelling the tribal hatred you can not mobilize Equatorian community against the Dinka or against Nuer. they are the people having their own judgement and individual ambition to lead what we know, the leadership is something that is projecting by personal ability with clear vision. For this ideology so called Regionalism can not be supported by a true nationalist it be support by weak hearted people who are seeking their personal interests rather than national interest. First of all try to consult the Equatoria community for giving them the top job. But for you Elhag Paul and your Dr Lam Akol, my friend, both of you miss the golden chance to send you both to Khartoum in order to fight for him. here in Juba will never yield any fruits to you, not to be jealous to Dr Riek Machar. I don’t think Dr Lam Akol will contest as leader in the Republic of South Sudan. Please try to elevate any one else except Dr Lam in case if you want your SPLM-DC to be survived as national political institution. Reply Dr JAC Ramba July 5, 2013 at 11:16 am Thank you EP You said it ALL, bald and clear. Plus you have shed enough light on the mathematical aspect of what constitutes the real dynamics of ‘Power Game’ in South Sudan since the dawn of history. The ball is now in the Equatoria court again and not excluding the Fertit Groups of Greater Bahr Ghazal, and the Luos of Greater Upper Nile. If democracy is an absolute game of numbers, then the Political Coalition of unions of the minor tribes will easily become the ultimate game changer for the top office. And should it be that God has it, that this devastated country’s salvation will come through a leader from even the smallest of our 60 or so tribes then let it be. I personally don’t think that a president from a minor tribe risks being bullied, by either the Dinka or the Nuer. Institutions will be set in place to put every citizen in their rightful places. But should it all fail and people choose to go it the D.R.Congo’s way or Somali way, and then let it be. After all we all know the people reigning havoc over the DR. Congo. They are neither Dinka nor Nuer. Reply Joseph Okello July 5, 2013 at 12:32 pm Der Elhag, this article is is spot on. only superior equatorians can act in that direction, that the likes of those of Nunu who is irate to the core are amateurs and a disgrace to the region. Reply Leader July 5, 2013 at 1:40 pm Dr. Ramba Are you the same person who is secretary General of USSP here praising Elhag Paul for his unbecoming behaviour and calling for chaos in the country? How comes a person who leads a party which aspires to take over the reign of leadership buys into those ideas? Reply Dr JAC Ramba July 5, 2013 at 9:46 pm Dear Leader Don’t begin to panic, my dear compatriot. Understand it that South Sudan as an Independent country as it is now, is a home to of its over 60 tribes. And remember that I am not the one who staged the regional conferences in Juba and Wau. Nor am I the one going around planning to impose myself on South Sudanese through the status quo or otherwise. Nor do I belong to a tribe with a population that can make me a tribal politician. South Sudan has more than 60 tribes, while only two of them go around bragging about wanting to exclusively lead this country as if the remaining 58 plus tribes don’t even exist. The two so-called major tribes don’t represent the whole country, and although the task of bringing together the 58 plus so-called minor tribes is no simple task, but our country’s only chance to dilute the existing ethnically centered and tribally driven politics is to successfully undertake the political empowerment of each and every tribe. We have to genuinely offer members of each and every single tribe an equal opportunity to occupy the country’s top office, regardless of the tribe’s numerical size. There won’t arise any chaos in empowering the over 58 minor tribes. Chaos will only ensue if others from the so-called larger tribes hold on to the erroneous belief that they can never be led by a competent and democratically elected president who comes from any of the numerous small tribes of RSS. Reply Bentiu Ramaran July 6, 2013 at 7:26 pm Dr. JAC Ramba, Why only two tribes liberated the country? where were you hiding during the struggle? Reply Majongdit July 7, 2013 at 9:12 am Ramba, Just go unite the 58 tribes and get their votes. You can get 10 tribes in one county. Go on unite them and form a political base, you’ll win the elections come 2015. Reply Dau-network July 6, 2013 at 5:12 am Leader Dr Ramba is just a “quack secretary” of that party. Dr Ramba and Elhag Paul are among the EDITORS of South Sudan Nation. Those duo, their political views always baseD on tribes or regions instead of current regimes which consist of different tribes regardless who’s heading the regime. @ Dr Ramba in all democratic countries where l been, l never seen a true opposition leader who supports a strong leader from other party instead supporting a weak leader so that their party SHOULD WIN against ruling PARTY but if you support a strong leader then your Party will not gonna win against them. Bakosoro oooyeeee. Equatoria region oooyeeee except Dr Ramba and Elhag Paul who had won NOBLE PRIZE OF TRIBALISM in South Sudan. Reply kenyialex July 6, 2013 at 12:54 pm Leader, Tell me where in this article El Hag has called for chaos? You telling equatorians to pull up their shocks is inviting Chaos? Too much bending to tribal mentality is awkward. Reply Majongdit July 6, 2013 at 4:40 pm Leader, You are a leader. I am happy with your response. My brother, Leader, some of these guys like Dr Ramba have made by their own ambitions to appear more like those children in baby class. There is something they have never understood with the politics of South Sudan. It is never won through propaganda. Reply Dau-network July 5, 2013 at 2:55 pm Paul change your behaviors. As a true nationalist, l’ve been campaigning for an equatorian SPLM candidate for long time but now you joined me despite the fact that you are tribalist, we have one thing in common that next president would come from equatoria regardless who, to prevent Anya -Anya 3 and to teach next generations that legacy first than leadership and wealth. Guys, make sure if Dr Riek became a president 2015 then 2020 president will be David Yau Yau because our people has encouraged being a traitor is being a president and will encourage more rebellions in future. I like Joseph Bakosoro because the way he captured Sultan former rebel when he was about to rebel again, long life Bakosoro . If equatorians missed this chance of SPLM then it would be their failure while big tribes are falling apart. I must not go for polling if Kiir vs Dr Hitler Riek because am not foolhardy to waste my energy, l has witnessed Dr Riek leadership for 11 Years from 1991-2002 and upto now as the second man in a country, the same to president from 2005- 2015, Joseph Bakosoro oooyeeee Any better person from equatorial oooyeeee. Reply Diu J.Kuek July 6, 2013 at 9:20 am To Dau Network yes, seems as you being happy for this so called Elhag Paul for joining your doomed campaign for Equatorian SPLM candidate for the top job. you and Elhag Paul/Dr James Okuk, both of you having same tribal hatred with so visible color which you will never hide. For you Dau you are well convinced that the chance for President Salva Kiir Mayardit for the another term is very rare while you don’t have alternative to the president Kiir from your tribe Dinka community, this is your main problem for Elhag Paul was been campaign for Dr Lam Akol which is impossible for him and the South Sudanese to be led by asylum self imposed exile leader like Dr Lam Akol. it’s so far from what we may be expecting for Elhag Paul in case of his tribe Shilluk, he has a problem with Mr Pagan Amum whom so many people see as a potential leader for his ambition to lead the nation and he can make it. What I know so far both of you in your reckless campaign for Equatorian tribes to take the top job that will make no success because you don’t have individual that you can campaign for within Equatorian tribe you should consult them and get potential one than come and kick off your campaign that may sound well for you, Dau. people look at you as crazy guy even those of Equatorians friends of mine when we sit and discuses such issues they are laughing at your ridiculous comments with no sense of logic. Reply Dan July 7, 2013 at 12:11 am Diu J Kuek: I have a feeling that you have correctly unearthed the identity of this hater. I remember telling Lukudu Gatkuoth Garang not long ago that Elhag Paul or hater was not from Equatoria, but rather a Chollo man and most likely a DC member. You are spot on, brother. Reply Tyson July 5, 2013 at 10:11 pm Elhag It is wonderful reading this piece of information from you. You have pointed out again for the wise Equatorians to digest. Firstly, your article has some message to all South Sudanese at this time of so called National Reconciliation. Peace and Reconciliation will not work in the kingdom of denial. The killing of innocent Equatorians like Maka has a lot to say. If the Jieng do not openly acknowledge their wickedness and seek genuine reconciliation, nothing will happen. Kirr appointed his fellow and good-for-nothing Jieng clergy man to champion this national reconciliation just for sake of buying time. From Kiir to his commanders and others who have switched from the army uniforms should come openly and confess their sins. Secondly, Kiir and his crony should tell the people of South Sudan why they massively looted the country. Thirdly, Equatorians should address themselves to the realities of leadership in South Sudan. There is no leadership in the SPLM. Among all those who want to contest under the SPLM ticket, they have nothing to offer but useless strategies to loot the country. Greater Equatoria has all the qualities to offer and rescue this country from sinking into abyss. Fourthly, for all the horrendous crimes like innocent killing of Equatorians, justice can be delayed but not denied forever. People like Mangar and other criminals should be brought to justice either in the country or to the ICC. Reply Majongdit July 6, 2013 at 5:28 am El Hag, This all fabrication! Why can’t you quote the functions in 1997 and 2004 in which Salva Kiir called Equatorians cowards and women? We know that you are desperately trying to pit the Equatorians against the Dinkas, but it is all destined to fail. El Hag Paul, you are a woman. El Hag Paul you are a coward. I called you both a coward and a woman. Now what do you say? If you want to meet me tell where we meet here in Juba. FROM EDITOR: MR. MAJONGDIT, BY YOUR THREAT, YOU SURELY QUALIFY FOR THE STEREOTYPE MR. ELHAG IS FIGHTING AGAINST. NO THREATS, NEXT TIME. Reply Majongdit July 7, 2013 at 8:43 am Mr. Editor, Do you know that you encouraging tribalism by publishing El Hag’s shit against the Dinka? If this is website is for tribes contest then let us know. There’s no authenticity in anything El Hag writes, no references, no quoting any source and he gets a very ready arena to display his shit that are quite poignant to the feeling of others. Please tell your El Hag that by blanketing all the Dinkas, he unites them all. Because of utterances from the likes of El Hag will make the Dinka another Kikuyu in South Sudan. Remember, kikuyu have never voted for a non-kikuyu in history. Similarly, if such ill talks against the Dinkas in general continue, then the Dinka will have no alternative but to unite and fight back. My dear Editor, why does it matter so much when I released a statement then it irritates so much when someone is allowed to release a bunch of threats everyday, every week, every month about other people? Or don’t you know some of the articles by Mr El Hag Paul contain more threats, incitement, hatred and abuses? I think you need to be at least fair, Mr Editor! Thank you. FROM THE EDITOR: HI, MAJONGDIT: YOUR FRANKNESS IS HIGHLY COMMENDED, HOWEVER, I’D STRONGLY URGE YOU TO BE FAIR TO YOURSELF BY ACCEPTING SUCH CRITICISMS BY WRITERS LIKE MR. ELHAG PAUL, BECAUSE ONE DOESN’T NORMALLY KNOW WHAT OTHERS SAY OR THINK ABOUT HIM OR HER UNLESS HE OR SHE GETS TO LISTEN TO CRITICS SUCH AS ELHAG PAUL. THIS WEBSITE IS NOW IN ITS ELEVENTH YEAR AND WE ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF OUR RECORD AS PERHAPS THE MOST OUTSTANDING SOUTH SUDANESE FORUM AS ATTESTED TO BY THE VARIETY OF ALL SHADES OF OPINIONS WE HAVE BEEN PUBLISHING ALL THE PAST YEARS. YOUR REFERENCE TO THE KIKUYU IN KENYA AS NEVER VOTING FOR A NON-KIKUYU CANDIDATE IS A BIT UNTRUE BECAUSE PRESIDENT DANIEL ARAP MOI, A MINORITY KALENJINI, WAS CONSIDERED AS A PUPPET OF THE KIKUYU WHO SURREPTITIOUSLY SUPPORTED HIM TO CARRY ON THE JOMO KENYATTA LEGACY OF KIKUYU DOMINANCE. WHEN HIS TIME WAS UP, THE KIKUYU REPOSSESSED THEIR GOVERNMENT UNDER MR. MWAI KIBAKI AND BACK TO UHURU, THE PROGENY OF THE MZEE HIMSELF. I CAN ONLY CONJECTURE RIGHTLY THAT MR. ELHAG PAUL WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THE SAME HAPPENING IN SOUTH SUDAN, THAT’S WHY HE VIGOROUSLY REJECTS THE DINKA EMULATION OF MZEE KENYATTA BY NURTURING STOOGES LIKE WANI IGA EVEN THOUGH HE IS FROM EQUATORIA. FINALLY, BROTHER, FOR THE SAKE OF THE UNITY AND SURVIVAL OF OUR NATION, LET US AGREE TO DISAGREE. STAY WELL…… Reply Majongdit July 7, 2013 at 2:29 pm Dear Editor, First and foremost, I acknowledge your last conclusion. I will wait to see how disagreements bring unity and survival to our nation. I have no argument on that. That this website has delivered to its standard is something that I accept. In all its 11 years of existence I have been going to this site. I did have some articles posted here. I only witness a single case in which my article was posted and later removed completely after two days maybe because the article sought to advance an issue or issues that didn’t meet the ‘wants’ of the website. Or perhaps one or two of the policies, terms or conditions of the website were not met by me. I definitely know that there’s one El Hag Paul who meets all the conditions, terms and policies of this website and you can click ‘post’ for every of his article even in your sleep. If you cared for the unity and survival of the nation, you would sincerely have directed more than half the articles of El Hag Paul to a rubbish bin. El Hag Paul writes to tear the country right in the middle. His articles do not only single out Dinkas, but they carry out abuses, incorrect information and a whole lot of black propaganda. South Sudanese are either very good people or perhaps they don’t read, otherwise, things that have been ushered by brother Paul are enough to trigger tribal feuds among our people. I very much agree with you on the story of Kenya. Moi was handpicked and crowned by Kikuyus and they protected his Presidency for 24 years. By 2002, Moi had properly organized and put together the many clans of Kalenjin.His anointment of Uhuru, a Kikuyu, pave way for members of opposition building one block and anointed Kibaki, another Kikuyu, so as to divide the Kikuyu votes. That’s how Kibaki won by a landslide. If anybody who knows Kenya’s politics had looked at the number of registered voters prior to the 2013 elections, he/she would have evidently predicted a Jubilee win. I don’t pray that South Sudan goes the same direction of have having issues dictated by one or two tribes. But it can happen and it can happen through the hands of the people like el Hag Paul. Leadership contest is taken simply for a tribe to thumb its chest then it will take a little longer in the Dinkaland. If bad language and propaganda is used to single out a tribe just because the President that was voted in by all tribes is their tribe member, then no community would accept presidency in exchange for bad treatment. As an Editor, you have not involved in what anybody writes. So, I don’t blame you for el Hag Paul opinions. You may have posted them, fine, but my problem is that THE EDITOR AND EL HAG PAUL SHOULD BE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE DOING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. If not, then I will be forced by my own conscience to believe that El Hag Paul is equally the Editor of Southsudannation.com. If that happens to be the case, God forbid, then this site’s discussion forum runs without a fair referee. FROM EDITOR: THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE, MAJONGDIT. REST ASSURED THAT THERE IS ONE AND ONLY ONE EDITOR, WHO IS ME, MY NAME AND ADDRESS IS TRANSPARENTLY WRITTEN ON THE WEBSITE AS THIS IS A LEGALLY REGISTERED AND HOSTED WEBSITE. MR. ELHAG PAUL IS A SEPARATE INDIVIDUAL AND THE SOUTHSUDANNATION.COM WEBSITE IS VERY MUCH GRATEFUL FOR HIS REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS, JUST LIKE MANY OTHER REGULAR OR OCCASIONAL CONTRIBUTORS. MY BEST REGARDS TO YOU. Reply Manyok R. July 6, 2013 at 7:58 am Folks, you got to consider this hate-driven man as a master of mere conspiracies. Do not let him feeds you with this textbook’s hatreds tactics. He thinks, by fabricating none existence Dinka’s oppressions against Equatorians, you would have a just cause to hate dinka and fight them to achieve your political interests. He badly wants to establish Dinka in your minds as enemies. But that’s wrong way to go about it. We not should allow Elhag Paul sets us against each other. There is a better way we can choose someone from Equatoria to rule our country without divisions. Nothing is wrong for Equatorians to seek their political interest as united regional or tribal blocs. But they can pursue that goal without identifying their political opponents as oppressive enemies. Going it according to Paul’s view could result into conflict of ethnic cleansings. And this is what Paul unintentionally doesn’t realize. Reply Majongdit July 6, 2013 at 4:30 pm Manyok R. I am really tired of the things this man writes all the time against Dinkas. We don’t have to suffer as a whole tribe because of Salva Kiir’s presidency. This Presidency can go anywhere and Dinka will always remain a Dinka. Reply Peter July 6, 2013 at 11:13 am We all waiting for that day when one of non Nilotic tribe will take our country to the right direction. Imagine if the majority in the country were Bari, Balanda, or any non Nilotic tribes, South Sudan would have been a peaceful place on earth. We in Wau will support our brothers Equatorians in case one of them decided to be the next president of South Sudan, if not we will support anyone who wants to change the current GOSS. Go ahead we are behind you Mr Bakosoro, you are best governor in the country and you can be a best president too….. Reply Majongdit July 6, 2013 at 4:25 pm Peter, Do you think the problem of South Sudan is the Presidency? Who told you Salva Kiir is going to be President forever? what does Salva Kiir’s presidency do to all Dinkas? What does it do a Dinka like me? Why should you hate all Dinkas because of Salva Kiir? Please grow up! Reply Peter July 6, 2013 at 8:21 pm Brother Majongdit, i am sorry that you understood me wrong, you are very right and i am absolutely one hundred percent with you, all Dinka should not and will not suffer from Salva Kiir, in fact the most poor people in South Sudan are Dinka. what has the Dinka president has done for them? nothing. But the problem is some Dinka will defend the guy what so ever the argument, and it’s clear that the president support and arm his people against other tribes in the country. It’s not late for me and you, to work together for the best of our country. If you check my face book, you will find that my best friends are Dinka, so i do not hate Dinka, but I hate what some Dinka are doing, I hate the dominant culture they practice in the country, I hate when they defend the president only because he is from Dinka…. Reply Bentiu Ramaran July 6, 2013 at 7:42 pm Peter, No, problem, Nilotic has liberated the country for you, therefore, go ahead and make the laws without Nilotic. Reply Manyok R. July 6, 2013 at 7:56 pm Majongdit, Exactly man! I feel the same way too. The man seemed like suffering from something we never know. Sad thing is that intellectual Equatorians are fatally attracted to him. They believe in his conspiracies and hatred toward Dinka. The unity they wanted to achieve in opposition to Dinka will backfire. Adolf Hitler’s style politics will never work against Dinka. And the sooner they realize this, the better for them. We are dangerous people and they got to know that. Let’s keep an eye on him for he is too dangerous to sleep on his hate-driven campaign. Reply Elhag Paul July 6, 2013 at 10:29 pm Dear Manyok You have now confessed that: “We (Jieng) are dangerous people and they (others) got to know that”. Why are you then blaming me for informing the 60 or so tribes of South Sudan of the danger you pose to them? The Jieng have plundered the country and terrorised the people and yet you expect the people to just take it laying down. Who is the tribalist here? Is it me or you? Do you think the people of South Sudan are brainless? Wake up and live in the real world. Reply Lukudu Gatkuoth Garang July 6, 2013 at 11:08 pm Dear Mr. Elhag Paul and Dr. JAC Ramba: Thank you for your great article and comment. Although I don’t really agree with your political views and stance, I strongly admire your honesty, courage and willingness to tell the truth and share your political views and ideologies with your supporters and opponents alike. Your articles and comments has revealed your true political colours and beliefs to my Nuer Cousins who have been living in the realm of dreams and assumptions that the Greater Equatoria would support Dr. Riek Machar’s bet for the presidency in 2015. This is indeed a great setback and disappointment for my Nuer Cousins who were hoping and counting for your votes in 2015. It is also a great disappointment for me and those Dinkas such as Mr. Dau-Network who has been relentlessly campaigning for the greater Equatoria.s leadership for 2015. As Mr. Elhag Paul put it or say it clearly and plainly that truth hurts but it is also liberating. In fact, your truth telling and the revealing of your political colours, plans and beliefs would indeed hurt the Naath people(Nuer) who were hoping to ally themselves with you politically in order to defeat or harm Jieng in 2015. As a matter of fact, the mighty Jieng had already known your true colours and ill-feelings towards Jieng since the Kokora era. Therefore the Jieng was not expecting anything good to come out from you (Equatorian Politicians) anyway. Your truth telling and the revealing of your true colours is indeed liberating to Jieng and it would surely hurt the Nuer people which would have been your big ally in your political war against Jieng. This truth would indeed backfire on you and hurts you badly and dearly in 2015 and beyond. The truth of the matter is that my Nuer Cousins are very simple to attract, distract and use against Jieng more effectively than any tribe in South Sudan. If you promise them to vote for their political prophet Riek Machar, they would fight Jieng, flee to Gambella and call you their allies. So Cowards, Why are you not taking advantage of those thugs politically as the Arabs did in 1991? Why don’t you use them now against Jieng and dump them later on when you achieve your political goals? Anyhow, the mighty Jieng is not afraid nor threatened by your tribal and political unity or marriage with the other small tribes in South Sudan. Nuer and Jieng are Blood Cousins and can do it alone. They can fight and unite themselves whenever they want. Believe it or not, If Nuer and Jieng unite against you and your allies, you will be walking in the bush with those Stateless LRA leave alone winning the presidency of South Sudan in 2015. Tough Luck with your tribal and political unity against Jieng and Nuer in South Sudan. Keep digging your own demise and you will be buried alive military and politically. Reply Elhag Paul July 7, 2013 at 6:55 pm Dear Lukudu Your above suggestions are delusions of grandeur. Without factoring in the other 60 or so tribes, say this nonsense to Murle and see what his response will be, and then think of the bigger picture involving all the others. I hope this liberates you. Reply KikisikKikisik July 7, 2013 at 7:31 am I think in a democratic country, people are entitled to the freedom of expression. So Alhaq is free to express his opinion. I don”t know whether people understand how it takes to write an article. So people like Alhaq and others need to be appreciated. It is because of what they have written people are debating which is not a bad thing. Let us give freedom of expression a chance. Let us respect each other, there is no need of calling people names, threatening people will not help after all we are in the same boat suffering whether you are Dinka, Nuer, shulluk, Bari, Zande, Faratit, etc. Let us instead focus on what we can do to rescue our country from these corrupt looters. After all Our country is now the fourth in the range of failed states after Somalia, Sudan and DRC. Reply Awomdit July 7, 2013 at 11:46 am El Hag How sad that people who appear to be learned like you carry such shallow reasoning capacity. I thought men like you should take time to rally youths of South Sudan together irrespective of tribes to say no to poor governance. In my view, the war should be between the old and the young. Old brooms vs New ones. Not Nuer, Dinka, Azande, Kakwa or what a view but unfortunately every South Sudanese seems affected with/by tribal or regional politics. I belong to a Dinka State that does not give a damn about Kiir or Riak but a need for change. You will find youth talking about a desire to see some party challenge the monopoly of undelivered SPLM nor Kiir, or Riak or Wani. The cards you are playing cannot help, brother.. Lets learn from the past. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14opN6EMxW%2B16H8zSk2d206unvr4yuQ3z2h-L5Qj4Ah47YQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
