WHO OWNS SOUTH SUDAN?

By Deng Mach, Kampala

Bor Defence Force???

In my understanding the nation does not belong to individual(s) but for those who acquired it by birth, registration and naturalization. It is always my surprise to hear some of our colleagues claiming to be the owners of this nation. I think they should be mindful of foods on their tables and regard the nation as ours in general, so that all of us should have equal contributions, may it be opinions or otherwise.

If the government is to work effectively and progressively, we need to revise the policies of employment. The real and genuine document-holders are virtually stranded in the streets while the fake and forged document-holders enjoy the fruit of someone’s sweat instead. They went to school (genuine document-holders) in order to deliver services to the people of this nation.

Is there a room for every citizen in South Sudan to work as it was said by Dr. Garang? I think today someone may interpret it in his own way “he meant a room to sleep but not a room to work”. A room to work is acquired by those who were mistakenly/intentionally employed without proper documents to accommodate them in the fields and that is why we lack job creators because we do not have well trained human resource managers.

HOW IT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS

If the unity of South Sudanese during referendum would have existed up to today, then the current crisis in our country wouldn’t have happened. And this is where “who owns South Sudan” comes in otherwise we would have said “We own South Sudan” where everyone has equal rights, freedom of expression, freedom of speech and personal liberty instead of victimizing individuals because of social, economic or political backgrounds. If we are to transform this nation, we need to avoid “who do you think you are” in public.

South Sudan will forever remain ours in generations to come. So why do we need to tarnish the image of this nation? We swear for this nation by voting during referendum to be called the “Republic of South Sudan” but now who own South Sudan? While we are fighting on a tribal basis, how will we stop this crisis when we don’t know the consequences or the outcomes of this senseless killing and victimization? Where is the justice for all? Where is prosperity and liberty for all? Shall we die because of public or individual interest?

What are we fighting for? Is it the liberation of leaders or land and its resources? Should we give up to acquire normal peace and political stability? Should we always seek refuge in other countries? When shall we grow up and die in our ancestral land?

Let’s embrace the sense of unity and equality for all regardless of political, social or economical backgrounds to be the citizens with common purpose for this nation. Instead of war and tribal animosity, let’s talk of economic prosperity, social justice, individual liberty and societal equality for all since we have a very unique skin (black color) portray in our national flag which bind us together for this nation.

We will never compare South Sudan with our belongings is the first one because we are all bound in it. Let’s preach love for all citizens, let’s shun tribalism and embrace peace.

Once again if we remember the past then we need to avoid it by encouraging civilizing interaction and togetherness. Otherwise if South Sudan was at the current state during the struggle then automatically the SPLM/A would have not managed to achieve the CPA.

Let’s convince each other and live together as a nation. ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE!!

CSIS: Prospects for Peace in South Sudan–Video

Prospects for Peace in South Sudan

Center for Strategic & International Studies
Published on Apr 9, 2014

Speakers include:

Awan Guol Riak
Minister for the Presidency, Government of South Sudan

Hypocrisy vs. Truth-telling in South Sudan

By Matiop Alier

Every individual living being, to paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson, can be good at both art of truth-telling and insincerity. Intelligibly, I might have a mind of secondary not first order, but I’ve seen the misery of others and I’d never wish them a double bad luck in life. The current conflict or civil war, as many western media outlets have already put it, has exposed the unknown among South Sudanese intelligentsia. Our South Sudanese are seemingly good at rendering insincerity and self-deception. How dare they preach tribalism and clanism, with all of sudden unflinching trickery to turn themselves into high priests of nationalism, remains nothing than a facet of hairsplitting and self-deception. What does nationalism means to you, to me and to others, when we’ve been cajolingly colluded with our foreign friends, governments and agencies to destroy our new country and praising war promoters like the UN?

Aren’t you being ashamed or even aware that your acts of shuttling between foreign capitals, tapping names of your government officials for more sanction and everything that comes along with it, would have unimaginable serious consequences on future diplomatic arena? Aren’t you aware that your actions in the beginning of this current conflict were nothing than package of ethanol which bred the current war further to an extent, to which it took so many lives and millions of others, still sitting under shed of trees waiting for their death? What’s wrong with our folks for real?

Oh wait a minute . . . we are told, the only shortcut to bring about a just lasting peace to our country is by concocting against its leadership and wishing for quick demise of her leadership, including by means of sanction and supporting the rebellion? Well and good. But if you’re truly for a sincere peace than war, than why in the first place being an inseparable parcel of that group which procreated the current conflict? The essence of waging a war is not to bring about a much needed change and development, but rather it’s a slow method of exterminating the poor and needy people in quarters of our human society. If both children of politicians and wealthy people cannot and will not drive war machines, nor can they work at a bomber or a warhead plants, nor can they drive military armory war machines in battlefields of war, than this simple logic confirms why war is a mean to end large part of human society.

The hardest part of war is not losing it. It’s rather a long term care given to its victims: orphans and widows. Unfortunately, to train a mind that’s firstly taught to be an insincere in the beginning is almost harder as impossible as riding a Trojan horse across Atlantic Ocean. A very close friend of mine once told me and I quote him, “The so-called writers of South Sudan and social commentators have amassed degrees in conflict resolutions, but they’re sadly good at enflaming human conflicts.” I thought he’s wrong but I’m dead wrong.

However, the recent anecdotal sentiments from South Sudanese educated and writers . . . isn’t that we can’t tell the truth, but that we can never admit the truth. This sadistic precinct is not only a source of rather a new skepticism about the so-called acquired education, which has undoubtedly transformed deserts of America and Europe into a Paradise in western hemisphere, but it aims to cultivate in the reader a complete distrust of your own faculties of truth-telling. Most importantly, truth-telling is my starting point, and it reveals how badly we’ve become lately in disseminating lies and deceits on daily basis, especially on Facebook. The most interesting thing that I’ve hard time to fathom is, the same mind which spreads tribalism and clanism is, on the other hand, the very same mind, which pronounces nationalism and enormous amounts of lies on social networks, apparently with little squirm.

Alas, if there’s anything that the western education and civilization has amusedly failed to deliver on the face of the Earth, than it’s an ethical transformation of mind of an African citizen in South Sudan, into viable being capable not only from delivering their citizens from rural poverty and backwardness, but the truth-telling institution. History connotes the past and the past connotes the presence . . . We can’t dispel yesterday literary works as of no more relevancy in current events. Consistency is a rarity virtue, but it’s a dictum of good writers and truth-tellers. This means if you’re then with the White Army and Dr. Riek Machar Teny/Nyandeng Chuol Atem’s forces in the beginning of South Sudan conflict, than it’s morally relevant to stick around them, because the damage is already done.

There are few things which to be learned from our intelligentsia. One, the current conflict has reduced our people into mere insincere beings who are only good for telling nothing, but lies, with little than a child’s mind in an adult’s body. Ask me why and I’d elaborate more on this assertion. Another point of contention is the fact that our daily writings or rather rants on social media, don’t reach out to our people, or address the problems at hand. Instead, either your reader has been consumed by pretext of war hallucination or both of you; the former and the latter are self-suffering from amnesia to realize how badly you’ve become lately. Or you have been taking your reader for granted, in assuming the readers are always interested in you, instead of assuming that it’s your job to interest us all!

Honestly speaking, if you’ve been trying to be sincere enough by trying to clean off your stained image than begin by admitting your wrongdoings, including offering a sincere prayer to God or your forefathers to redeem you from impurity. I’m not being superstitious here, but this mechanism may capture heart of our local population, who’d shouldered the brunt of conflict in every way and major. Probably your good soul would receive a better rite of purification and forgiveness not self-aggrandized obfuscation of nationalism with tribalism, etc.

A true compatriot and patriotic citizen regardless his/her sociopolitical standings would stand tell by his country whether it’s good or bad leadership. This leadership at a certain point in time will go but the nation and its forebears or guarantors will live on forever. It only take you few days to destroy your country and there what remains is only a mere land, not anymore a country. Nationalism means knowing this simple fact: governments don’t last for centuries, but forebears of that country are not only guarantors of its survival, but they lived now and forever.

Let’s not destroy our home country, because of current government under leadership of Salva Kiir Mayardit and every general we’ve deemed unfit to govern our homeland, because they’ll relinquish leadership of our republic tomorrow and the burden of nation building including sanction, which we’ve been lobbying day in out will fall on shoulders our relations, friends, etc.

~Metabolic@2014

IT’S A PRINCE’S BIRTHDAY.

By Amer Mayen Dhieu, Brisbane

On this day, the world was given a star, a super-man and a super-human. After all we thought April was only a month for “fools”. We were wrong. Just nine days after April fool’s day, we are blessed with a wiser, genius and awesome human being. APRIL TENTH is everything you been, we been, and I been waiting for. It’s April Tenth, It’s a prince’s birthday.

It makes you and I and we sad that the previous tenth of Aprils were his birthdays. We let them passed by us. We never got a chance to wish this sweet, kind, loving and caring prince a happy birthday, we never sent him our loves wishes. I mean many tenths of Aprils had passed unnoticed. But today we share the joy with him. It was the day, that the one we love and adore most was born. It’s tenth of April. It’s prince’s birthday!

April tenth did not only give us just a human. It gives me, you and we a full package. The one we felt very much connected with, very smart, intelligent, respectful, intellectual and philosophical prince. With no doubt we could say he’s the one we could live for, been waiting and looking forward to sharing the rest of our lives with. It’s April tenth. It’s prince’s birthday.

The days we spend with prince.You know how he make us feel. How voluntarily he offer himself, his effortless support just to let us see through the world and through our inner-self. How he appreciates us, make us feel wanted, make us feel loved, safe and very well looked after. You know what this day means to you, me, we. It’s everything to us. It’s the day we receive the light of our feet, peace of our minds and the love of our lives. It’s tenth of April. It’s prince’s birthday!!!!

Today mark prince’s first birthday with us. It is a blessing that we have reached this day, with him in our lives. Sincerely, we thank God for that. We admit that we will be there for him and he will be there for us. We feel blessed and chosen. The light of our darkest world was born. On April the Tenth, Let’s all together, deep down in our hearts, our minds and our souls receive him for he is what we need to live for. It’s tenth of April!! It’s Prince’s birthday!!

Happy birthday to the one that the world loves, adores, cherishes and respects. He lives in us and will forever live with us. With love, respect and pride we appreciate his greatness and it’s today that this piece of writing is dedicated to him. Happy birthday prince! It’s tenth of April and it’s Your Birthday. We wish you a belated happy birthday.

AMER@2014.

African Confidential: Is President Salva Kiir on his way out and Mabioor Garang in?

It for this and other many factors earlier identified that America prefers Kiir to be out of power, sources claim and he is either replaced by Ms. Garang or Riek Machar. At worst, Garang’s son, Mabior Garang can be the other alternative. To confirm this theory or fact, there are reports within the diplomatic community, America has secretly contacted South African government to give safe passage to Kiir once he agrees to step aside and give perks befitting a retired Head of State.

US President Barack Obama was among the first world leaders to congratulate South Sudan on the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement in January, which he described as “a critical first step toward building a lasting peace”.

 Now, South Sudan’s leaders need to work to fully and immediately implement the agreement and start an inclusive political dialogue to resolve the underlying causes of the conflict, Obama said then.

 “The full participation of political detainees currently being held by the Government of South Sudan will be critical to those discussions, and we will continue to work to expedite their release” Obama said.

But it appears, Obama’s patience on the South Sudan leader, Salva Kiir is wearing out. First diplomatic sources say, Obama is not happy that Kiir has not lived to the expectations of America and the international community of “playing a constructive role”.

Equally disappointing, the United States which has long supported the aspirations of the people of South Sudan for independence, has found Kiir a stumbling bloc towards peace through his actions, first by detaining political prisoners against the American wishes as well as the development partners.

To Obama in order to regain the trust of their people and the international community, South Sudan’s leaders must demonstrate their sustained commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.  But to America, Kiir has not lived to this expectation and still believe in military option if peace negotiations in Addis Ababa fails.

 To Obama’s disappointment, to ensure that the lives of their people and future of their young country are not further marred by continued violence, and that individuals who have committed atrocities are held to account, Kiir prefers, only the rebel force should be brought to account because they attempted to overthrow a legitimate government.

 “Obama administration feels Kiir’s leadership has been challenged and may not make it to the next level,” a source knowledgeable with South Sudan-America relations said. Another source said, America considers Kiir a weak leader as opposed to late Dr. John Garang and has shown dictatorial tendencies.

 “He (Kiir) has failed to galvanise unity within the army and even in the ruling SPLM,” the source added.

The source say, Obama is also worried that Uganda may not stay long to prop up Kiir because of the war in Somalia and the Central African Republic.  Once Uganda departs, Washington fears, Kiir’s political base will become more shakier and hence a possible coup within.

It is because of the war in Somalia and CAR that Washington asked Uganda army to leave South Sudan territory.

Secretary of State John Kerry and President Obama’s new top diplomat for Africa, Ms Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the cessation of hostilities agreement signed between South Sudan and renegade Riek Machar forces also requires foreign troops to pull back to defensive positions.

“We feel deeply committed, given past lessons, to try to prevent the chaos and the genocide that too often comes [out] of the violence that can occur if things break down,” Mr Kerry told journalists during a virtual press conference. “We don’t want this to cascade into a more violent repetition of the past. So, that’s why we’re committed.”

The fighting between soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar broke out on December 15. Uganda sent it’s troops several days later to fight alongside forces loyal to President Kiir.

An estimated 8,000 people are said to have been killed and thousands displaced from their homes since December 15.

Ugandan officials, in response to Washington’s initial February 8 call for withdrawal of foreign forces, insisted the UPDF were invited by Kiir and would stay put on South Sudan soil, but that position seems under consideration.

Withdrawal of Ugandan troops, the only foreign force that raced to prop up Kiir’s faltering government, is one of pre-conditions set by Machar’s group at the ongoing IGAD-brokered talks in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia has joined Norway in publicly asking the UPDF to leave.

Both Ms Thomas-Greenfield and Secretary Kerry said they will remain deeply involved in issues of South Sudan because the US government under various administrations invested heavily to secure its independence from Sudan.

The other concern by America is that under Kiir’s watch, her rival China has managed to grab eight lucrative oil deposits while her companies, Exxonmobil and Haliburton are taking over only four deposits, tilting the balance of power in influencing issues in the newest country in favour of Beijing.

The African Confidential in its February Edition reported that immediately Garang was killed along with eight Ugandans and six other Sudanese in a helicopter crash July 30, 2005, cracks emerged in the leadership of the then semi-autonomous state.

The death of Garang caused riots and killings in the streets of Sudan, an indication of a power vacuum.

Two incidents tested the capability of the new leadership in Juba, headed by Kiir, a few days after taking over the mantle.

There was a mutiny of troops under the Joint Integrated Unit (JIU), a force set up under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/A and Khartoum in December 2006. The mutineers shot their way into Juba town from their base across the River Nile demanding salaries, looting shops and paralyzing businesses. It was on personal intervention of Garang’s widow Rebecca that the mutineers were convinced not to march to State House, and so they called off the mutiny. Since then Mrs. Garang has remained at the heart of South Sudan politics even after she was relegated by Kiir. Analysts believe with Kiir exiting, America favours Mrs Garang as his immediate replacement because of her appeal to the SPLM members and those from other parties but with a strong believe in the South Sudan cause.

The other theory is that analysts believe Sudan’s Omar Bashir is behind the current conflict in South Sudan because of the oil reserves that the South took over when she attained independence.

Landlocked South Sudan seceded with most of the formerly united country’s oil fields, but Sudan retains the ports and facilities needed to get that product to market. A row over transport fees led to a 16-month standoff, shuttering production of about 350,000 barrels per day.

African Confidential reported that what has riled Khartoum is Uganda government’s current feasibility assessment of transporting some of its crude oil to the coast through the planned Juba-Lamu pipeline – in effect bypassing Khartoum – which has been collecting exorbitant fees from her neighbor to fuel her crumbling economy.

According to international media reports, a Japanese company, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, has been contracted by the Kenya and South Sudan governments to lay 2000 kilometers of pipeline to transport crude oil from South Sudan to the Kenyan coast.

Toyota Tsusho Corp. plans to lay down pipelines with a total length of 2,000 kilometers for oil exports from South Sudan and Uganda via Kenya, according to sources within the oil industry.

One of the pipelines will transport oil from South Sudan to the Kenyan port of Lamu, allowing South Sudan to bypass the existing pipeline going northward to a Red Sea port via Sudan with which it has kept strained ties since its independence in 2011 following a two-decade-old civil war.

The Ugandan government is joining the new company as Toyota Tsusho plans to connect the South Sudan-Kenya pipeline with another from the Albertine Graben of Uganda. Toyota Tsusho is spearheading the project for which investments are expected to total more than US$5 billion.

With this massive project under way, America whose oil reserves are dwindling by the day, may not afford to have  a weak leadership in Juba.

It for this and other many factors earlier identified that America prefers Kiir to be out of power, sources claim and he is either replaced by Ms. Garang or Riek Machar. At worst, Garang’s son, Mabior Garang can be the other alternative.

Riek Machar

To confirm this theory or fact, there are reports within the diplomatic community, America has secretly contacted South African government to give safe passage to Kiir once he agrees to step aside and give perks befitting a retired Head of State.

 All said and done. There has not been a true confirmation from either Obama administration or Kiir on what is happening between the two. As we keenly monitor events in South Sudan, our eyes and ears remain open to receive the new developments.

 

Two Positions with Amnesty International for South Sudanese/Sudanese

Country Campaigner – Sudan and South Sudan

Closing date: 11 May 2014

Directorate:Campaigns and Communications

Location:Nairobi

Type:Permanent

Working hours: 35

Salary:$45,621

https://careers.amnesty.org/vacancy/598/description/

The mobile revolution. Geopolitical power shifts. A radically altered global economy. The world is changing, and so is the way that people fight for their rights. In order to be effective, Amnesty International’s (AI) International Secretariat needs to change how we work. That’s why we have opened a Regional Office in Kenya.  And why we need your campaigning expertise with us on the ground.

ABOUT THE ROLE:
Our South Sudan and Sudan Campaigner will tackle issues like protection of civilians in armed conflict, criminal justice reform, and freedom of expression and association.  As a Campaigner, you can expect to have a direct impact on these key areas, as well as on our overarching regional campaigning and research strategies. Focusing mainly on South Sudan and Sudan you’ll develop effective, strategic campaigning plans and work with both AI colleagues and external partners to deliver them. You’ll also create clear and compelling campaigning materials for a range of audiences, writing reports and public statements, making videos and web features, and raising awareness and mobilizing our members to effect human rights change. And you’ll constantly look for ways to improve your work too, researching effective campaigning methods, monitoring impact and staying up to date with the latest human rights developments.  

ABOUT YOU:
A  practised campaigner, you’ll know how to create successful campaign strategies and build awareness through powerful actions and recognizedtechniques. You’ll also understand the importance of flexibility and be ready to adapt and evolve your plans. We’ll expect you to understand human rights and the political landscape within the East and Horn of Africa, both in general terms and specifically, with knowledge of South Sudan and Sudan and key thematic areas. You’ll be able to translate that knowledge into campaign materials and creative initiatives that inspire activism online and off, and have the fluency to express complex ideas in English and Arabic. You’ll have a network of civil society and government contacts and the clout to represent AI to audiences ranging from civil society groups and governments to our global membership.  Beyond that, you’ll be a real team player relishing close collaboration with our researchers, colleagues and partners.

ABOUT US:
Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, freedom and truth wherever they’re denied. Already our network of over three million members and supporters is making a difference in 150 countries. And whether we’re applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or onlinecampaigning, we’re all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere.

———————–

https://careers.amnesty.org/vacancy/370/description/

Researcher- Sudan

Closing date: 27 April 2014

Directorate:Research

Location:Nairobi

Type:Permanent

Working hours: 35

Salary:$64,951

The mobile revolution. Geopolitical power shifts. A radically altered global economy. The world is changing, and so is the way that people fight for their rights. In order to be effective, Amnesty International’s (AI) International Secretariat needs to change how we work. That’s why we’ve opened a regional office in Nairobi. And why we need your research expertise with us on the ground.

ABOUT THE ROLE:
Our Sudan Researcher will tackle issues like freedom of expression and association, human rights abuses in armed conflict and international justice. In order to get the word out about these violations, we need expertly developed research and campaigning strategies. And in this key role, that’s exactly what you’ll deliver. Your work will primarily focus on Sudan and thematic areas. As well as developing specific research projects and strategies, you’ll lead our monitor, research and investigations into human rights developments yourself – both at your desk and in the field. Ready to lead assessments of crisis situations and able to prepare thorough security assessments and political briefings, you’ll work as part of a team to make sure our hub research function is as flexible as it is effective. You’ll also understand that building a strong contact network and representing AI externally are central to ensuring your research has impact, as is the credibility and accuracy of your reports.

ABOUT YOU:
A tried-and-tested human rights researcher, you’ll have specialist knowledge of Sudan and thematic areas, plus a well-developed understanding of human rights issues and the political landscape in the sub-region. You’ll have proven your ability to write and adapt research materials for a range of audiences too, and be confident communicating AI’s message externally, both in English and Arabic. And in addition to your meticulous research skills and sharp political judgement, you’ll know how to engage with survivors of human rights abuses. You’ll be an effective multi-tasker able to meet deadlines and manage priorities, and know how to work effectively in a team. Crucially, you’ll have an unwavering committed to human rights.

ABOUT US:
Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, freedom and truth wherever they’re denied. Already our network of over three million members and supporters is making a difference in 150 countries. And whether we’re applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or online campaigning, we’re all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere.

UNMISS is the only Optional for Civilians Protection in South Sudan

By Lam Wuor 

TO: UNCHR Canada, Calgary Chapter
Associate Executive Officer: Rada Krnjaja-Howe

The purpose of this letter is to address the recent misuse of the name of the South Sudanese Association in Calgary in an unsanctioned March 24, 2014 rally in downtown Calgary. This rally was against the UNMISS operations in South Sudan. The views expressed in this protest do not reflect the views of the South Sudanese Association in Calgary, but rather the misuse of the name of our association by individuals of the Dinka nationality supporting the ongoing genocide of Nuer civilians in South Sudan.

We the South Sudanese Association in Calgary wish to express our deepest gratitude to the UNMISS and UNCHR for their operations in our native South Sudan. UN food aid, education, and resettlement programs have helped save and improve the lives of countless thousands. Since the December 15, 2013 wave of ethnic cleansing began, UNMISS compounds in the capitals of Unity State, Upper Nile, and Jongeli: Bentiu, Malakal, Juba and Bor, have served as the sole refuge for civilians fleeing government sponsored door to door raids on the Nuer ethnicity. To date an estimated 6,500 men, women and children have lost their lives. Outside UMISS walls Nuer civilians have been subject to firing squads. Many of these individuals were distinguished professionals: Civil Servants, Jurists, and Doctors. Among them, University of Calgary graduate Doctors without Borders MD, Dr. Thomas Lul, killed February 13, 2014 in a government sponsored raid. Sadly, his death has been incorrectly reported as a casualty of crossfire by South Sudan state sponsored media.

As of January 31st an estimated 84,000 civilians have taken shelter in UNMISS compounds across the country. That number is set to grow as fighting continues. What is more, as a result of the prolonged fighting, US Aide estimates 695,000 people have been displaced and a famine for the 2014 year now looms over the affected Nuer areas of Unity and Uppernile State as farmers cannot plant. In the ongoing genocide, the presence of the UNMISS is vital to the preservation of human life in South Sudan. However, Canada has been activity involved with the United Nations since its establishment in 1945. Since then Canadian peacekeepers have contributed in almost every particular peacekeeping task. However, the role of Canadian diplomacy was to bring peace and solidity between combatant nations. In case of south Sudan now Canada’s role in the United Nations is slowly while their involved into south Sudan settlement is highly needed.

We sincerely thank you for your organization’s presence in South Sudan and encourage your organization to strengthen current operations to the goal of preserving and improving the lives of the South Sudanese people.

Sincerely,

Lam Wuor

The author is deputy Secretary of the South Sudanese Community in Calgary and graduate from faculty of sociology at Mourn Royal University

UNAMID’s Work in Darfur versus UNMISS’s in South Sudan

By Malith Alier 

UNAMID Whistleblower: UNAMID Work in Darfur is a Cynical Farce
What about UNMISS in South Sudan?

UNAMID stands for United Nations Assistant Mission in Darfur. This UN mission in Darfur came about as a result of the 2003 conflict by the sons of Darfur with government of Sudan. The conflict killed and displaced several tens of thousands of people in the Western region of the Sudan. This was at the time the then Southern Sudan was about to ink a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The negotiations were on progress toward that goal. However, today, the 9 of April 2014, the former Spokesperson of UNAMID drops a bombshell about the work of the UN mission in Sudan. Aicha el Basri calls the work of that UN force a “cynical farce” according to the BBC focus on Africa.

What is then a cynical farce?

A cynical farce is a travesty or circus carried out by a pessimistic person or organisation like UNAMID. These were the words of a former UNAMID’s spokesperson turned whistleblower. A whistleblower is someone who discloses secret information about an organisation he/she worked former. The most recent whistle blower is Edward Snowden, a former CIA worker who is now taken asylum in Russia.

It is always said that any actions done in secret will one day be broadcast on the rooftops. This is what happened to UNAMID under the former head, Ibrahim Gambari. It may also still the case today.

It is good that this information has come in the backdrop of several strikes against UNMISS in South Sudan and the apology by Ban Ki Moon on the twentieth commemoration of the Rwandan genocide in Kigali under the watch of UNAMIR. The UN Secretary General accepted that the UN mission in Rwanda did not do more to save genocide victims during the onslaught in 1994. This is an unfortunate apology because the same genocide is occurring in Darfur under the watch of the same world body but no one dares to acknowledge so. UNAMIR, UNAMID or UNMISS they all are UN missions of failure.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan under Hilde Johnson is also a cynical farce. This is what Arianne Quentere, the Mission’s spokesperson like Asha will tell the world later when it’s all over. These people just want to protect their livelihoods in the UN by not tell the truth that the Mission is failing in its duties to protect civilians in worst affect areas. Those who died in Akobo, Bor, Malakal and Bentiu should have not died if UNMISS was having steel teeth. We all knew the circumstances under which they died.

What was the response of Harve Ladsous, the head of UN Peace Keeping Operations to the damning disclosure?

It ran something like this; that the UNAMID in Darfur have been working under difficult conditions. That the government of Sudan has not been supportive enough of the UNAMID and that the Security Council did not act or respond in good time to correct the situation. This was after an insight truth telling that Ladsous accepts the failures of UNAMID after denials of that observation in the past.

This was in contrast to the same Ladsous who harshly criticised the government and the people of South Sudan when they expressed the same grievances as those expressed by Asha.

The conscience of those who went on strike against Hilde Johnson is clear. Though most if not all did not go through the Status of Forces Agreement, they knew that something was seriously amiss. Failure to protect civilians and involvement in the conflict itself are just too clear to anybody in the country. Keeping silent on certain events that affect the country like the December 2013 coup adds to the list.

South Sudanese are not sable rattlers but if push too far, they can act. The information coming to us is that those weapons are already released to the UNMISS. However, the government needs to inform those who went on demonstrations about the findings of the investigation by UN delegation from New York and its own findings. The UN is always talking about transparency and accountability. This is the time for both as a matter of demonstration to the people of this country.

The government has not been transparent and accountable to the people of this country on many occasions. I am not talking about the issues of corruption here but I am talking about issues of life and death. The Athor’s white helicopter was widely publicised during its capture. Months later it disappeared into thin air like the UN weapons including landmines that were released without a fluff up. The same applies to various criminals who are displayed on television on their arrest but disappear later under different circumstances.

Some of us South Sudanese are convinced that Hilde Johnson has lost the little credibility left after the events that happened in the country since independence. She, like Ibrahim Gambari has to move on for the UNMISS to rebuilt trust with South Sudanese under new management.