18th of August: Commemorating the 62nd Anniversary of the Torit Uprising in 1955

The Republic of South Sudan marks the 62nd anniversary of the historical and popular Torit uprising on the 18th of August, 1955

By Arop Madut Arop, Nairobi, Kenya

The 61st anniversary of August 18, 1955, Torit Mutiny that launched the 50 years revolutionary struggle of South Sudanese against Khartoum, culminating in the independence of South Sudan in July 2011

August 16, 2017 (SSB) — As the people of the Republic of South Sudan mark and celebrate the 62nd anniversary of August 18^th, 1955 Torit uprising, it would extremely be important to recall the events that ushered in the protracted armed struggle between the Sudan’s two regions. The object of that liberation struggle was for the people of South Sudan to achieve dignity, freedom and self-esteemed denied them for decades. When people mark an occasion like the 62nd anniversary of our armed resistance struggle, it is always natural to remember the huge sacrifices the pioneers of our political struggle under went in their fight to liberate their people.

Besides reminding ourselves about the issues that surrounded South Sudan treacherous journey to peace and independence, this important occasion, is intended for the benefit of our younger people and future generations, who may have not lived the events described in this piece. Importantly, August 18^th, the anniversary is very vital to celebrate because it marked the starting point for the people of the South Sudan long tedious and treacherous journey to permanent peace and prosperity.

On the top of the martyrs that we should remember as we celebrate this important memorable occasion include: General Emidio Tafeng Lodongi, who was a lead organiser of the uprising, Corporal Saturnino Oboya who ignited the uprising and last but not least, Private Latada who single-handedly kept the liberation torch alight on the top of his Latada Hill outside Torit Town, until the entire South Sudanese people joined him and fought two wars to successful end.

Below are excerpts which depict what happened on the 18^th August over six decades ago (read more).

A FUGITIVE OF LOVE

By Adol Akuei, Eldoret, Kenya

Love cycle among junubiin

It’s because of you that I have become a person

I knew not,

Following up your damn knots,

I have lost my identity for your sake,

Doing things hastily without a break,

– 

And I become a broken winged bird in those shabby shoes of yours

That you ominously wear,

And could not tear 

Are starving Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) conditioned to foreign aid?

By Ring Mayar, Sydney, Australia

Social media warriors

August 16, 2017 (SSB) — I could not agree more with an article written by Simon Little, published under the title “South Sudan: Time for Humanitarians to get tough”. The author posed important questions, “as a humanitarian at what point does one start to think the unthinkable”? The author wondered to what extent the aid provided was positive, or if it was doing more harm than good.

Almost 70 years after the establishment of the UN, in part, to tackle world problems including development of the war torn countries in Africa, and other parts of the world, the fault lines of insecurity, food shortages, unstable economies, failing health care and education system, still appear glaring to many of the world’s billion people.

As many people lose their entitlement to property ownership, job security, rights, including the absence of economic empowerment as well as social and cultural severing – judging by the length of time refugees or IDPs spend in camps – guarded by peacekeeping soldiers, many prefer to stay in refugee camps and not venture out to establish themselves.