Letter to IGAD: C-5 Members of the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) Recommend 10 States

Making Sense of President Kiir, and Dr. Riek Machar Face-to-Face Meeting in Juba, South Sudan

By Deng Vanang, Kampala, Uganda

President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

Sunday, September 15, 19 (PW) — Kiir and Machar have once again warmed up to each other bosoms, at least for now, since this future of unwilling buyer and willing seller business is increasingly less promising. Many are not fooled, except bewitched hard-line followers who resigned themselves to idiocy on every ugly twists and turns of current political dynamics.

Every thinking person knows Kiir signed a peace pact that disregards all reforms elements he never wanted. He detained his archrival Machar and virtually feeds him helpless in his open cell in Khartoum. Only to briefly release him whenever he so wishes to be frogmarched to Juba or Addis before him as he sits up tight and pretty a satisfied man in a mocking mood in dark glasses.

This man is none other than his subdued prisoner rival {Machar} whom he duped into turning on oil tapes which once ran dry. Filled with cash to the brim all pockets of possible fair thinking foreign mediators and would be sympathizers.  He beyond reasonable doubt won the war he fought long and hard for six good years against SPLM/A-IO. What is left of vanquished and disgruntled Machar is total surrender without reservation as evidenced in the recently announced transfer of IO’s H. quarters from Pow state to capital Juba.

Why the Government of South Sudan Should Allow Free and Equal Political Participation

By Biong Deng Biong, Melbourne, Australia

Kerbino Wol Agok and Peter Biar Ajak

Saturday, September 14, 2019 (PW) —- On the 4^th December 2012, Isaiah Abraham was tragically gunned down in cold blood outside his residence in the South Sudan capital, Juba. The gunman was apparently ‘unknown’. Many quickly concluded that Abraham’s tragic murder was connected to his habit of openly expressing anti-government opinions. This incident, and many to follow, gave birth to what become the new normal in South Sudan.

The ‘Unknown Gunman’ struck again, on multiple occasions, killing only citizens actively engaged in politics. Recently I wrote a piece equating President Kiir to Nelson Mandela. The reaction I received prompted me to think a lot about citizen-participation in South Sudanese politics. I expected the article to be controversial, aware that I was discussing a sensitive subject, but I was surprised by the reaction to it.

Kerbino Wol Agok and Peter Biar Ajak

While I received overwhelming support through my messenger and emails, my public posts on Facebook did not receive anywhere near the same attention. This raised questions for me around our people’s willingness to participate in South Sudanese Politics. I don’t want to draw conclusions here, but I sense people are not comfortable discussing political issues in public, particularly if the issue is of a sensitive nature. It seems that it is becoming worse and I found myself wondering: are people fed up or scared?

Why President Kiir should revisit the 2012 Nine Agreements between South Sudan and Sudan

With the new and friendly government of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in the Sudan, President Kiir should revisit the September 2012 Nine Agreements signed between Juba and Khartoum

By Comrade Deng Bol Aruai, Juba, South Sudan

John Garang, Deng Alor and PM Abdalla Hamdok of the Sudan during the war of liberation

Saturday, September 14, 2019 (PW) — With the new and friendly government in the Sudan, I urge President Salva Kiir Mayardit to return to CPA and Post-CPA and Independence arrangements with the Sudan. South Sudan can begin with the Nine Agreements between Sudan and South Sudan as follows. On 27 September 2012, Sudan and South Sudan successfully signed nine agreements on a range of pending issues that they have been negotiating since 2010, initially in accordance with the post-referendum agreement negotiations. The parties have also been engaged in the negotiations of outstanding CPA issues, and have now reached several agreements relating to the CPA and the post secession issues. In this regard, the Embassy has the honor to summarize these nine agreements, as follows:

Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok and President Kiir, 13 September JUBA

1. The Agreement on Security Arrangements

This Agreement reaffirms the commitment of the two states to renounce war and to implement all the security agreements and arrangements reached in previous negotiations. There include Agreements relating to the immediate withdrawal of any forces to the side of the border. Specifically, the two states agree to immediately operationalize the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ) in accordance with the administrative and security map, presented to them by the AUHIP in November 2011. The Agreement makes provision for special arrangements for the “14 Mile Area”, which involve the complete demilitarization of the area, overseen by the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) and supported by the mechanisms under the JPSM. The parties will maintain the status quo of the joint tribal mechanisms for the resolution of disputes. The parties agree immediately to open the ten agreed border-crossing corridors linking the two states.

Dr. Riek Machar’s Visit: A Negative Value Added to the Already Tensile Political Complexity

The face-to-face meeting in Juba between President kiir and Dr. Riek Machar has done nothing to break the political deadlock in South Sudan.

Peter Adwok Nyaba, Juba, South Sudan

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

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  President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

Thursday, September 12, 2019 (PW) — The arrival in Juba on Monday 9 September, 2019 of Dr. Riek Machar at the head of 69-man delegation, and his meeting with President Salva Kiir did nothing either to break the ice, as observers of the situation expected, or add any value to the work of his Advance Team. If anything, the visit spurred bad memories of the July 2016 fighting in J1, it raised the political temperament to complicate their chemistry of the two men, and indeed clogged the gears of the R-ARCISS implementation machinery. 

Travelling with such a huge delegation with his security guarantor, Mohammed Daglo (Hemiti), who was in Juba on an entirely different mission, Dr. Riek Machar spent three days and returned to Khartoum on Thursday. He had an agenda-less meeting with President Salva Kiir on Wednesday. To observant spectator, the face to face meeting was more of a public relations stint than anything serious warranted by the gravity of the political situation in South Sudan. This is gleaned from the casual and informal the two leaders constituted a committee to follow up on the issues they failed to address. It is not clear whether that unnamed committee would play the role of National Pre-Transitional Commissions. 

Streamlining Thoughts and Actions for Durable Peace and Political Stability in South Sudan

By Samuel Reech Mayen, Juba, South Sudan

President Kiir and Riek Machar, Face to Face meeting in Juba, September 2019

Thursday, September 12, 2019 (PW) — For a start, this piece is an introduction to the series of articles which the constant readers will be consuming on weekly basis under the theme “Streamlining thoughts and Actions for Peace.” These pieces of writing are purposely for peace building. With the nation still in a fragile state, trapped in deep conflict and hatred, the citizens are divided along ethnic and regional lines. There is no trust amongst the people. The notion of “us versus them” defines the relations amongst the citizens.

The propaganda continues to fuel the conflict. This situation has paralyzed and retarded the economy and social progress. To join the voices which are committed to address and mitigate these issues, I have chosen the above theme to help the readers think for the betterment of this country. Human actions are driven by thoughts. Those who think positively act in a similar manner and vice versa. Thoughts affect a society in form of actions. As we begin the journey of reading the series of articles which will be appearing in this column weekly, I urge readers to embrace peace as a mechanism for recovery from the devastations of war.

Has Thomas Cirilo finally realized the importance of the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

By Clement Maring Samuel, Kampala, Uganda

Pagan amum, Paul Malong Awan, Thomas Chirillo, Chirino Hiteng and Oyai Deng Ajak launch the South Sudan Opposition Movement in the Netherlands

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 (PW) — When I read a tripartite agreement signed by Gen. Thomas Cirilo; Gen. Pagan Amum Okiech; and Gen. Paul Malong Awan who represented their parties of SSNDA; R-SPLM, and SSUF in the Netherlands on August 30^th 2019, it was a surprise to see Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka succumbing to the philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. At last he has come to realization that joining hands with a political foe is strength. NAS has swallowed its bitter pills of describing some Equatorians who join hands with Gen. Paul Malong weirdly. When the FDS were arrested in Juba and kept in detention for couple of weeks, it was Dr. Riak Machar who heralded for their release, but after they were released, they abandoned him and treated him as a war monger disregarding the effort he did for them. Their decision has led to prolongation of the war. Had they join hands together with Dr. Riak Machar; the war would have ended long time ago. They haven’t use the philosophy of the enemy of my enemy is my friend.  

When Dr. Riak Machar was detained in South Africa, the SPLM-IO became a standstill Movement. In this period, on 27^th March 2018, SSUF conceives eleven members from Bahr el Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile to form a revolutionary Movement. These eleven members constitute the founding body of SSUF/A. On 28^th March 2018, SSUF gave birth to a new Movement called “South Sudan united Front and Army (SSUF/A)” in Nairobi, Kenya. After its formation, the members chose Gen. Paul Malong Awan from greater Bahr el Ghazal as Chairman and commander in Chief. SSUF/A was committed to remove the regime in Juba militarily and the task requests joint efforts from all opposition forces which took arms against Juba regime. Gen. Paul Malong relied heavily to make alliance with Gen. Pagan Amum Okiech; Gen. Oyai Deng Ajak; and Gen Thomas Cirilo including the non armed groups headed by Gabriel Sangsong Sang. There wasIntellectual resistance from SSOA members who described Gen. Malong as an uneducated leader to ally with. Besides, they were afraid of being targeted by TROIKA on the issue of sanction of Gen Paul Malong. The long awaited Generals made SSUF/A a standstill Mill which delayed the Military and political structures. This contributed to the founding members of SSUF leaving the Movement like Ambassador Telar, Lino Ajang, Clement Maring, Ambassador Lumumba, Elly Magok, Ambassador Ayok, and Simon Wieu, later followed by Ustaz Lewis Anei.

President Salva Kiir Mayaardit: The Nelson Mandela of South Sudan?

By Biong Deng Biong, Melbourne, Australia

Salva Kiir Mayaardit: The Joshua of South Sudan. Grab your copy at Amazon.com

Monday, September 9, 2019 (PW) — There is no reservation that Nelson Mandela was a great leader, but how does President Kiir fair? More often, we focus on the negative performance of leaders while forgetting 70% plus of their largely positive actions. Consequently, we end up creating a leader of our own imaginings rather than enabling a potentially great leader to thrive. In this piece, I aim to pit President Kiir against a strong leader like Nelson Mandela and determine if Kiir has the capacity to steer his nation with the same power and purpose as the South African revolutionary. I hope that this will help to identify areas of improvement for President Kiir and more importantly, identify where his energy needs to be focused in order to rescue his legacy. And so, the real question is, is it too late or still possible for Kiir to become the Nelson Mandela of South Sudan? I offer my thoughts on the matter below.

It costed Nelson Mandela his entire life, his family, friends, comrades and often his patience to undertake what later became the greatest political legacy of the modern era. In 1994, while in Kakuma refugee camp, members of SPLA/M staged a large screen in a field in Kakuma for us to watch the inaugural of Nelson Mandela elected as the first black President of South Africa. I did not know who he was at the time but the admiration he elicited from our leaders compelled me to find out more. I soon discovered he was an exemplary leader to those fighting the freedom struggle in South Sudan before her independence. Hence, we can compare the mighty Mandela to our own leader.

Tribute to Ustaz Aquila Kelei Madol: The veteran teacher who led and mentored Jesh-Amer in Kakuma, Kenya

Young people who lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp will remember uncle Aquila as a senior teacher, leader, mentor and a wise elder who was supportive of their educational needs even in bad times. The cause of death was a motorcycle’s accident in Uganda while he was processing a visa to Australia to attend the wedding of his son. He was hit by a motorcycle, and was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries that later claimed his life.” South Sudanese Australian Radio journalist, Ajak Deng Chiengkou

By Atem Yaak Atem, Gosford, Australia

Ustaz Aquila Kelei Madol

Sunday, September 8, 2019 (PW) — I have been saddened by the news of the passing of Aquila Kelei Madol. The veteran school teacher lost his life through a road accident this week. Aquila Kelei was my contemporary at Malek Elementary, Atar Intermediate and Rumbek Secondary School, respectively.

In those schools, he was one class ahead of me. A kind and friendly student, Aquila condemned and refrained from bullying, which was a common phenomenon in schools those days.

For example, at Malek, older and stronger students terrorised the younger boys among entrants from what were known as bush schools. The arrivals were dubbed as “New Boys”, and in Atar as “Blue Boys”.

Collection of Stories: The Legends of Dinka “FROM THE NILE VALLEY” – Part 2

The Legends of Dinka: A double orphan who rose from the ashes of poverty

By Kur Wël Kur, Adelaide, Australia

Aesop’s Fables in Dinka, translated by Atem Yaak Atem

Saturday, September 7, 2019 (PW) — In a century, 10 years shy ago, a widow, the mother of four sons, suffered from a crippling sickness. She wallowed in a rheumatism, and she couldn’t care for her four sons. Her sons were 12, 10, 8 years and 6-months old. For several years, the degenerative disease deteriorated her health to the point that she couldn’t move by herself.

Her eldest son would help her move. A lot of her duties such as pounding and milling sorghum grains, farming and weeding, tidying and maintaining her homestead were passed on to her next two sons automatically. The two sons who were 10 and 8 years old were overwhelmed by the duties. So, some duties slipped out of their responsibilities. Their family’s hut in which their mother was immobilised on her sickbed was caving in. Her older son would prop up the falling side with logs.

R.I.P Robert Mugabe: President Kiir Offers Condolences to the Nation of Zimbabwe

Setting Records Straight: Press Statement from the Disbanded NRA Board

Setting records straight: Press Statement from the Disbanded National Revenue Authority (NRA) Board

salary

Introduction

Friday, September 06, 2019 (PW) — We the members of the defunct NRA Board of Directors wish to express our gratitude to the President and the entire government for the opportunity to serve as the founding Board of NRA. We have served our country with honor and dignity and as a team, we have been committed to advance the reform agenda of the President and in doing so, we have for the first time, managed to mobilize our people to voluntarily pay their taxes to the government.

We have also closed so many loopholes and as we speak, public money is not leaking as it used to be. We have also mobilized international support for the reform in the country and for the first time, international organizations have been paying taxes. We have pursued with diligence, the East African Community integration process and we were moving closer meeting our Custom Union and Common Market obligations under the EAC Accession Treaty.

The press statement is released to clarify to the public what actually happened at the NRA, and why Commissioner General and the Board were fired by the Hon. Minister of Finance & Planning. This is warranted because the Ministerial Orders terminating the services of the Board and the Commissioner General did not specify the reasons for the Minister’s decision. However, in recent engagements with the media, the Minister opened up to explain why he took the decision. Being party to the affairs of the NRA, we strongly feel that the President and the public would be well-served by setting the records straight.

South Sudan National Dialogue: Final Communiques from Upper Nile, Bahr el Ghazal and Equatoria Regions

“In this polarized and polarizing conflict, perceptions can overshadow reality, and whatever the equation of the power structures, the Dinka are being seen as having replaced the Arabs as the rulers in an ethnically unjust system. As the various ethnic groups converge against what they perceive as Dinka domination, the Dinka in turn begin to perceive themselves as targeted and paradoxically as in imminent danger of a genocidal onslaught. They therefore strive to mobilize themselves in self-defense.” – Dr Francis Mading Deng – SOUTH SUDAN NATIONAL DIALOGUE; Conceptual Reflections page 43

South Sudan National Dialogue- Final Communique from the Upper Nile Regional Conference, May 2019Download

South Sudan National Dialogue – Final Communique from the Equatoria Regional Conference, August 2019Download

South Sudan National Dialogue – Final Communique from the Bahr el Ghazal Regional Conference, March 2019Download

Instability in Africa: The imperative for Africa intellectuals to collaborate in uniting Africa

By Deng Madut Akech, Juba, South Sudan

The true size of Africa

Wednesday, September 5, 2019 (PW) — It’s imperative for Africa intellectuals to collaborate in uniting Africa and deal with the rebel’s group in the continent. Africans always scapegoat themselves for failing to end wars and conflict, but you don’t see the wars instigators/ringleaders within and outside our nations. Sometimes I see us blaming the colonial agencies that’s operating in Africa or colonialism for destabilising Africa, we must prove it right. What can we do right to know that European countries and America are destroying Africa?

To answer the above question, you must deeply understand the roots cause of the conflicts throughout the continent. Africans fought the European to get their nations back, which they did to have freedom and equality among themselves, especially in Congo, when Patrice Lumumba was assassinated on 17 January, in 1961. It was vicious and heinous crime plots made by Belgium and USA against Congolese when they natives needed him for the betterment of Congo and Africa at large.

I think Lumumba was a nationalist himself, but the West saw him as a major threat to them as the Congo was rich with minerals. Congo haven’t test democracy and social progress, because far nations still benefiting in Congolese resources daily. In my view, Patrice’s assassination was well coordinated and well planned by Belgium and allies to weaken Congo economically.

Associations in East African: Stop giving youth’ associations money; they’re getting spoiled

Stop giving youths’ associations money they’re getting spoiled.  (The case of youths’ associations in East Africa)

By Peter Madol, Nairobi, Kenya

Duol Jok speaking in SSSAK conference at August 7th Memorial park Nairobi 2015

Thursday, September 05, 2019 (PW) — Association  by  dictionary  definition  is  a  formal  organization  of  people  or  groups  of  people. Forming youths’ associations play a key role in youth development, it  brings unity  among  youth  whether  in  diaspora  or  at home  through  social  programs  such  as  cultural  events,  youth  meetings,  youth  music  and  drama. Another aspect, it is where youth converge to bring ideas that can shape their lives. Finally,  it  is  a  platform  to  practice  leadership  skills  at infantry  level  to catapult  one  for  greater  success  in  the  future.

Associations should  be  guided  by  the  aforementioned  principles  and  practices  but  in  reality check,  with  these  youth  associations,  they  are  defined  by leadership wrangles, poor accountability, propaganda, etc. As Hon.  Michael  Makuei  puts  it  when  he  was  asked  that  old  folks  should  give  youth  of  South Sudan  a  chance.  His response was, “what do they know?  Unless  they  learn from  us  in  order  to get  a  clue  about  how  to  run  the  government”. 

The 2nd open Letter to Hon. Elia Ullan Jongo, the Member of TNLA in Juba

The 2^nd open Letter to Hon. Elia Ullan Jongo the Member of TNLA Juba, South Sudan     

By Michael Chol Tor, Juba, South Sudan

Tuesday, September 3, 2019 (PW) — It is most important in human-being lifecycle to maintain mutual trust and friendship with your neighborhoods incredibly, it helps to establish good interpersonal relationships and coexistence as localities as human-being. Anciently, Nyiel community was embodied in Deher (Adar) 1620s – 1883. The arrival of Latjor in Upper Nile from Bentiu was 1628 followed by Maban (Shai) arrival in 1884 in Deher territorial the current refugee camp, Northern Upper Nile State after the defeats of Fuj kingdom where an agreement was signed between Jieng and Fuj and place was named Dohor “Peace”.

After agreement, Nyiel community was living in harmony with Fuj and Nuer the neighbors. After the ugly defeats, Maban societies were migrated and refuge in Dohor for sheltering and later they named it Dora 1884 – 1963. They came to Bai-Lual which is Jamam today chasing animals into Dinka midland since they were professionally hunters. They created good affiliation with elderly Dol Ajang Ayiir from Jibek-clan and Mooga, Liwa managed to link their community with Jieng De Nyiel in Deher (Adar) and they lived in harmony and rapport for good 79yrs.

The National Dialogue – Final Communique from the Equatoria Regional Conference in Juba, Aug 2019

The National Dialogue Initiative – Final Communique from the Equatoria Regional Conference in Juba, 26 August 2019

the-national-dialogue-initiative-final-communique-from-the-equatoria-regional-conference-in-juba-26-august-2019Download

Governor Augustino Jadalla Wani of Jubek State.jpg

South Sudan Opposition movement: Pagan, Malong, Chirillo and Oyai launch a new opposition group

Declaration of Principles – South Sudan Opposition Movement – Pagan Amum, Paul Malong, Thomas Cirillo, Oyai Deng Ajak and Cirino Hiteng launch a new opposition group in the Netherlands

declaration-of-principles-south-sudan-opposition-movement-pagan-amum-paul-malong-thomas-cirillo-oyai-deng-ajak-and-cirino-hiteng-launch-a-new-opposition-group-in-the-netherlandDownload

Pagan amum, Paul Malong Awan, Thomas Chirillo, Chirino Hiteng and Oyai Deng Ajak launch the South Sudan Opposition Movement in the Netherlands

An Open Letter to South Sudan Minister of Finance and Planning

Malith Alier, Australia

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Salvatore Garang Mabiordit

Dear Hon. Minister,

Saturday, 31 August, 2019 (PW) —  I am sure we do not know one another. But this is not important as of now – other important matters can be handled in the meantime.

I saw you on your way to Stanbic Bank, Juba Branch around 2013 or 14. Someone who I knew alerted me that, that was Garang Mabiordit; the Undersecretary in the then  Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. You stoically exited the white Toyota V8 Land Cruiser a minute earlier. That’s the only time I saw you. On other occasions, particularly in 2015 and 16; I went to the Ministry but I failed to see you at your work station. This, I thought was unfortunate. Someone whose name rang loud should not be missed in action.

You have been at the helm of the Ministry of Finance and Planning for as old as South Sudan itself. You have been unmoved in the undersecretary position until last year when the president appointed you to head one of the most coveted portfolios in the country. No one should remind you that your job is a tough one because every state, every ministry and every business that deals with government looks you in the eye every hour.

Collection of Stories: The Legends of Dinka “FROM THE NILE VALLEY” – Part 1

The Legends of Dinka: The Arrogant and Ignorant Young Men Who Killed Their Fathers

By Kur Wël Kur, Adelaide, Australia

Aesop’s Fables in Dinka, translated by Atem Yaak Atem

Friday, 30 August 2019 (PW) — Restless. Wild. Ruthless. This description fits one of the generations of youth that once lived in the Nile valley. The Dinka elders, especially elders of the eastern bank Dinka, had narrated this story of those arrogant and ignorant young men a million times to draw a moral lesson as a warning to the young men of any time.

IT GOES … Once upon a time, emerged a restless, wild and ruthless generation of young men. They set out to shake up fundamentals—fundamentals of life. So, they initiated wars between their village and the neighbouring villages, and they won those conflicts.

They committed heinous crimes, crimes that ranged from vandalism and assaults to inhumane humiliations of girls and women. Their fathers and grandfathers had held countless group meetings. Sometimes, their fathers or grandfathers opted for one-on-one meetings, each father or grandfather trying to talk his son or grandson out of infamous violence and venomous insults. But nothing seemed to bridle those ill-mannered young men. They ran wild, and lived wild, listening to no one but their youth leader.