The National Dialogue Steering Committee” and Membership Composition

Overview

Several points should be made regarding “Republican Order for the Reconstitution of the National Dialogue Steering Committee” and Membership composition. The data collected on each individual member shows that Membership composition is not inclusive, but exclusive and dominated by one ethnic group mostly from two regions of South Sudan (formally Upper Nile and Bhar Al-Ghazal) currently, Warrap and northern Bhar Al-Ghazal, Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile States. It is not a national dialogue; rather it’s a dia-state dialogue.

In addition, some members are from one family, for instance; Lt. Gen. Pieng Deng is a half brother of Dr. Francis Deng, as well as Ms. Lily Albino is a daughter of Rtd. Maj.Gen. Albino Akol Akol. Data collected when analyzed on key positions, ethnicity, political parties, gender and professional association affiliations etc. leads to the conclusion that it’s not a national dialogue, but a fraud and a scam to manipulate the current situation to benefit Jieng council of elders (JCE), buying time, mislead international community as well as insulting to the intelligence of South Sudanese citizens and friends of South Sudan.

The initial observations show the following:

Which one comes first Peace or dialogue?

As a matter of principle, achieving peace should be the priority and followed by dialogue. Therefore, dialogue cannot replace absent of peace and it cannot resolve political and humanitarian crisis in the country in the way it’s conceived and being implemented. Furthermore, this is not the right time for dialogue in the middle of ongoing war in the country and massacre of thousands of civilians, forcing hundreds of thousands into refuge in the neighboring countries. A genuine dialogue should be after the 2015 peace implementation and when All South Sudanese returnees and refugees have returned home in their constituencies. For instance, South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established and functioned after political settlements brought the nation together after long period of healing processes. To do the opposite is setting the country into wrong direction, shaky ground and it might lead to disintegration of South Sudan to smaller States as it happened in the Balkans.

Key Positions

Co-Chair and Rapporteur and Deputy Rapporteur positions are controlled by JCE hardliners. These members are the architects of the “born to rule” Dinka slogan in late 1970s and early1980s. The slogan born to rule is now born to destroy South Sudan. As is commonly said, the previous experiences determine the future experiences and outcomes; the hardliners will control direction of discussions as well as pre-determine the resolutions of South Sudan National Dialogue (SSND) which will not be representative of views and opinions of opposing parties and other ethnicities. For example, in 1989, President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir initiated national dialogue and invited SPLM/A to participated, and Dr. Garang declined on the ground that, it was not inclusive and controlled by the northerners and hardliners Members of NIF and SSND is no different than the former Sudan national dialogue and even worst.

Ethnicity

South Sudan has 66 ethnic groups and only 18 ethnic groups were represented in very small number against 45 members from one ethnicity group. 48 ethnic groups who suffered the most human right violations are excluded from participations. Equatoria has 32 ethnic groups and 13 ethnic groups were appointed.

Political Parties

South Sudan has 36 political parties and only 2 are included and these two are part of Juba regime. E.g. Taban Deng IO and Joseph Ukel groups. In addition, most members are SPLM and SPLM/IO cadres. The key positions of decision making are controlled by hardliners of Jieng Council of elders (JCE) and excluded women.

Gender

Gender representation is not balanced and contrary to the concept of 25% quotas for women. The current list shows that women represents only 15.6%, and 8 out of 15 women are mostly citizens of Warrap, northern Bahr Al-Ghazal, Jongeli, and Unity States and sadly enough there is no single woman appointed in key position-this is a complete marginalization of South Sudanese women and defeats 25% quotas system.

Religious leaders

Clergymen representation is not balanced and the current list shows that there is no representation from government critics such as Catholic Church vocal clergymen Bishop Laku, all were excluded as well as important members of opposition groups such IO, PDM, NMC, NDC and many others. The list shows many Bishops and Pastors who were silent about their colleague Pastor Lasu and many other pastors who were killed by national security the day after national day of prayers and prior. This shows that these Bishops and Pastors are supporters of government and its corrupting influence on society, with many among them being co-opted by the government.

Civil Society, Youth, and People with disabilities

Civil Society, Youth and people with disabilities groups are completely disregarded. The behavior of South Sudan government suggests that youth and people with disabilities have no value in South Sudan’s development, decision-making as well as have no say in future of nation building.
For the benefit of readers and concerned citizens of South Sudan and friends of South Sudan, it is important to shed light on some key members of the committee, and provide analysis on overall selected members and draw conclusion with some recommendations to move the country forward.

First

Abel Alier is Dinka from Bor and was a Former Vice President of Sudan (1970-1982), he served as president of the High Executive Council of Southern Sudan in Juba, after Lt. Gen. Joseph Lago gave him green light to do so. Alier was the first Southern Sudanese to introduce mono ethnic politics and Dinka hegemony in South Sudan which lead to Kokora in 1983. His time was known by tribalism, employment and appointments of one ethnic group based on tribal lines and favoritism. Alier never participated in the first phase of civil war (1956-1972) fought mainly by Equatorians as well as the second civil war from 1983-2005. Alier has always acted on the advice of Khartoum regimes and advanced the interests of Arab-north in the South. Alier is one of the architects of “born to rule” slogan in late 1970s and early1980s.

Bona Malwal is a Dinka from Warrap and Warrap is Kiir’s home State. Malwal is a member of the secretive Jieng Council of Elders tribal advisory council to President Kiir. Malwal was Minister in Alier’s Cabinet in the Regional Government of Southern Sudan. Malwal is key member of the “born to rule” Dinka slogan along with Alier, Justin Yack and Joshua De Wal.

Malwal was an opponent of the late Dr John Garang De Mabior and the anti- separation of South Sudan. Malwal was known for his famous hate speech which he delivered on Saturday, March 21st, 2015 in Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.A. In the meeting, Mr. Bona Malwal said “South Sudan existed thanks to the Dinka and therefore belongs to the Dinka people, and the Dinka have earned it and are where they are now above all others in South Sudan.” Please, refer to below link for full text.
http://www.southsudannation.com/south-sudan-a-country-for-dinka-only-bona-malwal-tells-dinka-in-usa/

Dr. Francis Deng, is Dinka Ngok of Abyei. Abyei is still disputed area by both Juba and Khartoum and its fate is still unknown. Deng is known for his unionist position and opposes South Sudan secession and defended his views in many public forums in Middle East. He expresses his views in letter exchange with former University of Juba Professor currently in Oman as well as with former retired South Sudanese Professor at University of Toronto in Canada. 25% of Abyei citizens hold key positions in South Sudan government and some holders of Sudanese passports and working for Khartoum regime and some receiving salaries from both Juba and Khartoum.

Lt. Gen. Pieng Deng is Dinka Ngok of Abyei, and a half brother of Dr. Francis Deng. Gen. Pieng was former Chief of Police. South Sudan Police Services administrative corruption happened under his authority.

Second

Analysis

The objective of a dialogue is not to analyze things, or to win an argument, or to exchange opinions or to pre-determine the outcome of dialogue or pre-written dialogue resolutions. Rather, it is to suspend your opinions and to look at the opinions of other parties into dispute, to listen to everybody's opinions, to suspend them, and to see what all that means in resolving political crisis, peace without justice, land grabbing, marginalization and exclusion from administration of the country, mono ethnic politics and centralization of political, economic, administrative and military powers in the hands of few or two ethnicities.

SSND in its current status will not achieve everlasting peace, but rather it will create more division, suffering, killings, and political instability in the region.

What South Sudan requires is political settlement through peace talks that includes all parties into the conflicts, but not mono ethnic dialogue or dia-state dialogue. Why mono ethnic dialogue? because it excluded 48 ethnic groups in the refugee camps in the neighboring countries who would love to participate.

The solution to South Sudan man-made political and humanitarian crisis is not mon dialogue, but reforms of government institutions and deliver justice to the victims of land grabbing; rapes; marginalization and exclusion; favoritism; tribalism; lack of promotion of non Dinka public servants; limit President Powers; division of powers to three levels of government; human rights crimes and held criminals and public servant’s thefts who stole 4.5 billion dollars from government coffer accountable.

The solution to South Sudan bad governance is for the current and future government should reflect 66 ethnic groups at all government levels specially security, police, customs, army and public services as well as division of powers to all levels of governments.

The solution to South Sudan political crisis is when South Sudanese is treated equally not based on his or her ethnic groups and employed based on job merits, not of favoritism.

The solution to South Sudan political crisis is encouraging opposition groups whether it armed groups or not they should participate in any national issues. Government’s argument of preventing them is has no logic to it. During the CPA talks, If Khartoum regime would put forward similar argument of “preventing armed groups from peace talks” South Sudanese would be fighting the north today.

What should be done?

If Juba regime still maintains its position of resolving political crisis through dialogue, than the SSND should be under the auspices of an independent international organization such as Initiative of Change Swiss (IofC). IofC has credibility, expertise, experiences, and skills to select members from all parties in the conflict, conduct fair and impartial process in neutral location and submit final report with recommendations.
http://ca.iofc.org/iofc-international

African Union should replace IGAD lead in negotiation with both government and opposition groups, because most IGAD Members have vested interests in South Sudan and they are not impartial.

African union should encourage and support opposition groups to unite their objectives, and speak in one voice.
Kiir’s government should release political and non-political detainees, because it is key towards political settlement. The current list of detainees is exclusively non-Dinka which raises alarm. Please, see attached detainees list for full picture of injustice and discrimination.

South Sudanese politicians and senior public servants are well known for their high level of corruption. They have sticky fingers that have been implicated in the disappearance of public funds, and development money which more often than not ended up in their private accounts in banks overseas. To combat, financial corruption in South Sudan, it is very important that Western governments should pass law that will prohibits transfer of money from South Sudan to western banks without proper transparency; also the law must force, and persecute the international financial institutions (IFI) and other banks or bankers who fail to disclose any private accounts from South Sudan, and specially if the account is related to statesmen. Failure of the Western governments to act means that the West is encouraging, and abetting the endemic corruption in Africa.

The AU,UN,EU and Western governments should find legal mechanism to recover the stolen $4.5 billion from South Sudan and repatriate the fund to pay public servant salaries, development programs and project such as health care, schools and others

Finally, President Kiir’s should put the interest of the nation first, before his personal and tribal interests. Kiir should give peace a chance by consideration stepping down to provide positive environment for political settlement and move South Sudan out of political, economic, humanitarian crisis. The longer Kiir stays in power the worst people suffer in refugee and IDP camps as well as the country suffers economically.


Hüstin Läkü,SR
Federalism, Decentralization, Conflict Resolution and International Development Consultant

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Members of South Sudan National Dialogue Committee

NO	NAMES	POSITION	ETHNICITY	STATE	PARTY	GENDER	REMARKS
1.	Hon. Abel Alier-Wal Kwai	Co-Chair	Dinka	Jonglei	SPLM	M
2.	Hon. Angelo Beda Bangboru	Co-Chair	Azande	WE	SPLM	M
3.	Hon. Gabriel Yoal Dok	Vice Chair	Nuer	Jonglei	IO	M
4.	Mr. Bona Malual Madut	Rapporeur	Dinka	Warrap	SPLM	M
5.	Dr. Francis Mading Deng	Deputy Rapporeur	Dinka Ngok	Abeyi	SPLM	M	Sudanese citizen
6.	Dr.William Othon Awer	Deputy Rapporeur	Cello	UN	SPLM	M
7.	Prof. Moses Machar Kachuol	Member	Dinka	Lakes	SPLM	M
8.	Gen. Rtd. George Kongor Arop	Member	Dinka	Warrap	SPLM	M
9.	Prof. Paul Lado Bureng	Member	Bari	CE	SPLM	M
10.	Hon. Manasseh Magok Rundial	Member	Nuer	US	SPLM	M
11.	Rtd.Maj.Gen. Andrew Makur Thou	Member	Dinka	Warrap	SPLM	M
12.	Hon. Michael Mario Dhuor	Member	Nuer	Jonglei/ Fanka	IO	M
13.	Maj.Gen.Rtd. James Loro Siriso	Member	Bari	CE	SPLM	M	Decease
14.	Maj.Gen. Rtd.  Albino Akol Akol	Member	Dinka	NBG	SPLM	M
15.	Lt. Gen. Rtd. James Hoth Mai	Member	Nuer	Jonglei/ Nassir	SPLM	M
16.	Lt. Gen. Rtd. Pieng Deng Kuol	Member	Dinka Ngok	Abyei	SPLM	M	Sudanese citizen  & brother of Dr. Francis Mading Deng
17.	Rev. Matthew Mathiang Deang	Member	Nuer	US	Data N/A	M
18.	Hon. Rachel Nyadak Pau	Member	Dinka	Jonglei/ Akobo	SPLM	F
19.	Hon. Monica Ayen Maguat	Member	Dinka Bor	Jonglei	SPLM	F
20.	Shiekh Juma Mussa Saeed	Member	Lugbwara	CE	Religious Group	M	Muslim
21.	Dr. Haruun Ruun Lual	Member	Dinka/Malut	UN	SPLM	M
21.	Dr. Stephen Abraham Yar	Member	Nuer	US	SPLM	M
22.	Hon. Mary Furun Michael	Member	Kuku	CE	SPLM	F
23.	Hon. Lucia Atilio Juma	Member	Otuho	EE	SPLM	F
24.	Hon. Joseph Ukel Abango	Member	Jurchol Luo	WBG	USSP	M	Decease
25.	Hon. Simon Kun Puoch	Member	Nuer	UN	SPLM	M
26.	Hon. Luciano Thomas	Member	Fertit	WBG	SPLM	M
27.	Dr. Jone Ruach Jal	Member	Nuer	UN	SPLM	M
28.	Mr.Joseph Nyok Abie	Member	Dinka Ngok	Abyei	SPLM	M	Sudanese citizen
29.	Mrs. Tabitha Guang Awuok	Member	Cello	UN	SPLM	F
30.	Mr. kawac Makuei Mayar	Member	Dinka	NBG	SPLM	M
31.	Dr. Priscilla Nyanyang Joseph	Member	Dinka	Lakes	SPLM	F
32.	Dr. Betty Achan Ogwaro	Member	Acholi	EE	SPLM	F
33.	Mr. Garang Deng Aguer	Member	Dinka/Aweli	NBG	SPLM	M
34.	Mr. Joseph Stephen Buga	Member	Data N/A	WE	SPLM	M
35.	Hon. Arthur Agany Pooli	Member	Dinka	Warrap	SPLM	M
36.	Maj.Gen. Rtd.Clement Wani Konga	Member	Mundari	CE	SPLM	M
37.	Rev. Clement Janda Guya	Member	Kukwa	CE	SPLM	M	Decease
38.	Mr. James Lily Kuol	Member	Nuer	UN	SPLM	M
39.	Mr. Jackson Abogo Gama	Member	Kukwa	CE	SPLM	M
40.	Bishop Hilary Luate Adeba	Member	Kukwa	CE	Religious group	M
41.	Rev. Peter Gai Lual	Member	Nuer	Jonglei	Religious group	M
42.	Bishop Isaiah Majok Dau	Member	Dinka/ Bor	Jonglei	Religious group	M
43.	Bishop Elias Taban Parangi	Member	Kukwa	CE	Religious group	M	Self claimed Bishop
44.	Bishop Gabriel Roric Jur	Member	Dinka	Yirol	Religious group	M
45.	Bishop John Okumu Primo	Member	Ma’adi	EE	Religious group	M
46.	Prof. Bol Deng Chol	Member	Cello	US	SPLM	M
47.	Dr. Riak Gok Majok	Member	Dinka Tonj	Warrap	SPLM	M
48.	Prof. Samuel Wassara Samuel	Member	Azande	WE	Academic	M	Decease
49.	Dr. Kuot Mawein Kuot	Member	Dinka	Warrap	SPLM	M
50.	Dr. Adil Athnaziou Surur	Member	Fertit/ Kresh	WBG	SPLM	M
51.	Mr. Baba Medan Konyi	Member	Murle	Pibor	SPLM	M
52.	Hon. Tulio Odongo Oyaho	Member	Otuho	EE	SPLM	M
53.	Hon. Chuol Rambang Lueth	Member	Nuer	Jonglei/ Akobo	SPLM	M
54.	Dr. David Kueth Thuvang	Member	Nuer Fanjak	Jonglei Nassir	SPLM	M
55.	Hon. Joseph Lual Acuil	Member	Dinka Kuac	Warrap	SPLM	M
56.	Hon. Aldo Ajou Deng	Member	Dinka Abiem	NBG	SPLM	M
57.	Hon. Daniel Awet Akot	Member	Dinka Gok	Lakes	SPLM	M
58.	Hon. Kuol Athian Mawein	Member	Dinka	NBG	SPLM	M
59.	Hon. Paul Mayom Akec	Member	Dinka	Lakes	SPLM	M
60.	Hon. Deng Dau Deng Malek	Member	Dinka Twic	Jonglei Bor	SPLM	M
61.	Hon. Joshua Dau Diu	Member	Dinka Padang	Jonglei Bor	SPLM	M
62.	Mr. Benjamin Majak Dau	Member	Dinka Ruwen	Jonglei Padang	SPLM	M
63.	Hon. Arthur Akuein Chol	Member	Dinka Paliet	NBG	SPLM	M
64.	Hon. Nartisio Loluke Munir	Member	Päri/ Lopi	EE	SPLM	M
65.	Mr. Pascal Bandindi Uru	Member	Blanda	WBG	SPLM	M
66.	Mr. Wilson Peni Rekito	Member	Data N/A	WE	SPLM	M
67.	Hon. Kom Kom Geng	Member	Dinka	NBG Aweil	SPLM	M
68.	Hon. Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior	Member	Dinka Bor	Jonglei	FD	M
69.	Hon. Kosti Manibe Ngai	Member	Moru	WE	FD	M
70.	Hon. John Luk Jok	Member	Nuer	Jonglei	FD	M	Decease
71.	Eng. Donald Gideon Azomona	Member	Data N/A	Data N/A	SPLM	M
72.	Dr. Mario Arenk Awet	Member	Cello	UN	DC	M
73.	Hon. Magoot Maker Mayindi	Member	Dinka	Data N/A	SPLM	M
74.	Dr. Simon Ngor Awajor	Member	Dinka	Data N/A	SPLM	M
75.	Mr. Festo Simon Lemi	Member	Pojulu	CE	Academic	M
76.	Mr. Lual Deng Kon	Member	Dinka	Data N/A	SPLM	M
77.	Mr. Nyundeng Moses Jiek	Member	Nuer	Jonglei	SPLM	M
78.	Ms. Nyaruac Pal Gai	Member	Nuer	Data N/A	SPLM	F
79.	Mr. Steven Robert	Member	Data N/A	Data N/A	SPLM	M
80.	Ms. Munira Abdelwahab	Member	Anyuak	Pibor	SPLM	F
81.	Mr. David Okwer Akweny	Member	Anyuak	Pibor	SPLM	M
82.	Mr. Ali Burnm	Member	Borun	Maban	SPLM	M
83.	Hon. Lidia John Jok	Member	Nuer	Jonglei	SPLM	F
84.	Ms. Lily Albino Akol	Member	Dinka Aweil	NBG	SPLM	F	Daughter of Maj.Gen. Rtd.  Albino Akol Akol. Both father & daughter are members of the committee.
85.	Dr. Albino Bol Dhieu	Member	Dinka	NBG	SPLM	M
86.	Mr. Daniel Deng Bol Arua	Member	Dinka	Jonglei	SPLM	M
87.	Mr. Machok Majong Jong	Member	Dinka Malut	US	SPLM	M
88.	Mr. John Marik Makur	Member	Dinka	Warrap	SPLM	M
89.	Hon. Jasmin Samuel Adakayi	Member	Moru	WE	SPLM	F
90.	Ms. Grace Alex Abalang	Member	Lango	EE	SPLM	F
91.	Mr. Kalisto Ladu Faustino	Member	Bari	CE	SPLM	M
92.	Mr. Stewart Soba Budya	Member	Kukwa	CE	SPLM	M
93.	Ms. Rebecca Francis Gae	Member	Nuer	Data N/A	SPLM	F
94.	Dr. Lual Deng	Secretariat	Dinka	Data N/A	SPLM	M
95.	Mr. John Juan Dong	Secretariat	Nuer	Data N/A	SPLM	M
96.	Mr. Deng Gai Gatluak	Secretariat	Nuer	Data N/A	SPLM	M
97.	Archbishop Daniel Bol	Secretariat	Dinka	Jonglei	Religious group	M

* State Data: Not available for 10 members.

* Ethnicity Data: Not available for 4 members.

% BY STATE (2022)

STATE	CE	EE	WE	JONGLEI	US	UN	LAKES	WARRAP	WBG	NBG	Abyi	PIBOR
No of  Member	12	6	6	22	5	6	4	8	4	9	3	3
Percentage %	14%	7%	7%	25.2%	6%	7%	5%	9.2%	5%	10.3%	4%	4%

 

% BY GENDER (2022)

ITEM	FEMALE	MALE	YOUTH	REMARKS
No of Member	14	83	0	Defeats CPA 25% quotas for women
Percentage %	14.4%	85.5%	0%	It’s men committee.

*CPA: the Comprehensive Peace Agreement

% BY PARTY (2022)

ITEM	SPLM	IO	FD	USSP	DC	Academic	Religious	REMARKS
No of Member	80	2	3	1	1	2	8	N/A
Percentage %	82.4%	2.0%	3.0%	1.0%	1.0%	2.0%	8.3%	N/A

 

% BY FAITH

ITEM	CHRISTIANS	MUSLIM	CHRISTIAN WOMAN	MUSLIM WOMAN	Remarks
No of Member	96	1	0	0	Lack of diversity and  man show
Percentage %	99%	1.0%	0%	0%

 

% BY ETHNICITY (2022)

No.	Ethnic Group	No of Members	Percentage %	No.	Ethnic Group	No of Members	Percentage %
1.	Acholi	1	1.0%	33.	Angakuel	0	0%
2.	Avukaya	0	0%	34.	Bai	0	0%
3.	Baka	0	0%	35.	Balanda	1
4.	Bari	3	3.2%	36.	Banda	0	0%
5.	Didinga	0	0%	37.	Bongo	0	0%
6.	Dongatona	0	0%	38.	Burun	1	1.0%
7.	Horiok	0	0%	39.	Fertit	1	1.0%
8.	Imatong	0	0%	40.	Dinka	42	45.1%
9.	Jiye	0	0%	41.	Cello	3	3.2%
10.	Kakwa	5	5.3%	42.	Jumjum	0	0%
11.	Keliku	0	0%	43.	Jur Beli	0	0%
12.	Kuku	1	1.0%	44.	Kaligi	0	0%
13.	Lango	1	1.0%	45.	Kara	0	0%
14.	Larim (Baya)	0	0%	46.	Kichepo	0	0%
15.	Lokoya	0	0%	47.	Luwo	0	0%
16.	Lolubo	0	0%	48.	Mangayat	0	0%
17.	Lopit	0	0%	49.	Murle	1	1.0%
18.	Lugbwara	1	1.0%	50.	Ndogo	0	0%
19.	Ma’adi	1	1.0%	51.	Nuer	19	21%
20.	Makaraka	0	0%	52.	Sere	0	0%
21.	Moru	2	2.1%	53.	Yulu	0	0%
22.	Mundari	1	1.0%	54.	Anyuak	2	2.1%
23.	Mundu	0	0%	55.	Kresh	1	1.0%
24.	Ndogo	0	0%	56.	Juro Chol	1	1.0%
25.	Nyangwara		%	57.	Data N/A	0	0%
26.	Nyangatom	0	0%	58.	Data N/A	0	0%
27.	Otuho (Lotuho)	2	2.1%	59.	Data N/A	0	0%
28.	Päri	1	1.0%	60.	Data N/A	0	0%
29	Pöjulu	1	1.0%	61.	Data N/A	0	0%
30	Tenet	0	0%	62.	Data N/A	0	0%
31.	Toposa	0	0%	63.	Data N/A	0	0%
32	Zande/Azande	2	2.1%	64.	Data N/A	0	0%
				65.	Data N/A	0	0%
				66.	Data N/A	0	0%

THE LIST IS INCOMPLETE

 

Sudan Willing to Aid Investigations in Claims of Slavery

Please allow me to clarify some of the points raised in the Dec 28 reports, “
Where freedom costs $75,” “The world’s worst religious war,” and “Buy-a-slave plan under attack.”

• The Sudan has repeatedly called upon all national, regional and international organizations and diplomats accredited to Sudan to join the government in its investigations into these claims of slavery.

They can provide information, technical assistance or whatever measures they deem appropriate, and the government of Sudan is ready to provide them with any logistic support required to reach any site they wish to visit.

• The June 1998 Constitution of the Sudan, article 20 on liberty and life, states clearly that: “Everyone has the right to life and liberty and security of person in accordance with the law.
“Everyone shall be free and no one shall be in slavery or servitude or degraded or tortured.”

• The government of Sudan has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitments to relevant international agreements and conventions.

• Alex De Waal, African Rights Watch, had a clear warning: “The issue is a slippery one: Slavery slides off into issues such as hostage taking. The difference between a hostage and a slave is important. It shows how Sudanese history must be seen in it local context must be seen in its local context, and how it is a mistake to impose stereotypes from elsewhere.”

It also, points to solutions: inter-tribal negotiations rather than indiscriminate “buying back,” which runs the risk of inflating the ransom beyond what families can afford and, even worse, creating an incentive for further raiding and abductions.

• The approach in the Citizen’s reports is partisan, selective and has actually failed to present any substantial material evidence other than the usual stereotypes and sensationalist over simplifications.

They instigate hatred and beat the drums of war, notwithstanding the fact that Dinka is a respected tribe in the Sudan.

It is noteworthy that H.E. George Kongor, Vice-President of the Sudan and other high ranking officials are among the sons of the Dinka tribe who are working hand-in-hand with their fellow Sudanese to build a developed and peaceful country.
• In Sudan, as in many other countries, we have problems and we are making genuine efforts to end them.

Betipiny Obur Ayang
Second Secretary
Embassy of the Sudan, Ottawa
Tuesday, Jan 5th, 1999
Ottawa Citizen Newspaper



CLAIMS OF ENSLAVEMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDANESE ARE TRUE


I am writing in response to the January 5, 1999 letters from the second secretary of the Sudanese Embassy in Ottawa “Sudan Willing to Aid Investigation into Claims of Slavery”. It is very sad to see a southern Sudanese writing on behalf of the National Islamic Fundamentalist (NIF) government, which is milling and forcing Southern Sudanese Christians to practice Arab culture as well as to become Muslims.

Please let me explain what is happening. The reason that some Southern Sudanese are speaking on behalf of the NFF government is that the NIF gives a lot of money to them (buying their silence) so that they do not tell the truth nor reveal it to the international community. This is very clear in the response of the nominal second secretary of Sudanese Embassy in Ottawa.

The NIF government repeatedly denies what was published in the Ottawa Citizen arid other sources about the slavery in the Sudan. We should not pay attention to what the NIF or its representatives say because they are not telling the truth. On the other hand, let us search for the truth of the Voiceless Southern Sudanese who are the victims of this government.

Yes! the Sudanese government did ask for investigation into the "slavery”. The fact is that the NIF was and is always hiding the reality from the International community. If there is a visit by a foreign diplomatic agent or independent side, the NIF and its supporters will gather a group of NIF supporter‘s in the country to meet with the visitors and the NIF will tell them what to tell to the visitors. Most of the visits occur in Khartoum which is being controlled by the government and the security agents of the NIF are always keeping an eye on those who want to reveal the truth about the crimes of NIF. Those who attempt to reveal the reality put their lives in danger risking being killed, jailed or disappearing•

Article twenty, chapter one, of the June 99 Constitution which abolishes slavery has actually been in force since the British left the country in January 1956 and even before that. This is not the issue; the issue is the fact that it is ignored. If the second secretary is right, their why do we get so many reports about slavery?

In Point five the second secretary mentioned that there is not enough evidence to prove what was published in the Citizen about slavery in the Sudan. I have proof that slavery exists. Sooner or later I will supply the Canadian Newspapers with copies of video and audio cassettes. My question to the second secretary is, “why are the people suffering?“

The primary purpose of this response is to explain to Canadians how the NIF government never tells the truth to the World. The NIF government reports which have been issued regarding this matter are misleading. I sincerely hope that these points will help Canadians understand the background of NIF crimes as well as how the NIF is using some of the Southern Sudanese such as the second secretary to deny the truth. I will be most happy to provide the Canadian community with additional information should you desire.

Finally, the issue of slavery is one of the major problems that Southern Sudanese are facing, which disturb the international community. I would like to thank the Ottawa Citizen for’ publishing the reality of tire voiceless Southern Sudanese people.-


©Justin Laku
Co-Founder & Former Chairman
South Sudanese Community Association of Ottawa Carleton
Wed, Jan 6th, 1999

Op-ed: National Monologue

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) leadership under President Salva Kiir and the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) has failed to improve the living standards of South Sudan citizens since taking power in 2005. The President’s recent speech on national dialogue is not new: he has made similar pronouncements in the past that were never followed up nor respected by those who were required to do so. One has to wonder whether this “national dialogue” speech was well thought-out. The speech lacks substance because it failed to outline a holistic vision for resolving the numerous bad governance problems facing South Sudan now or in years to come. For example, the speech fails to mention how to bring the country out of this current political and economic crisis that is Kiir’s making.


The call for dialogue is short on details of how the country would be secured for the oppositions to attend a national dialogue convened by Kiir, when he was the one who led South Sudan to the present Quagmire”. How would a tribally dominated Government be impartial in addressing the problems it created of bad governance, exclusion of majority of non-Dinka people in the national political process, and the country’s collapsed economy and dysfunctional, illegitimate political institutions?


In my own humble opinion, the dialogue should among other issues address the exclusion of the vast majority of the people from echelons of government, injustice, blatant inequality and the dispossession of Equatorians, Ferit, Nuer and Shilluk from their ancestors land by some government officials. Likewise, the culture of corruption with impunity and the lack of accountability need to be tackled head-on. Furthermore, it is urgent that President Salvar Kiir puts an end to the existence of illegitimate ethnic dinka paramilitary of Mathiang Anyor that is carrying targeted killings of Equatorians, implement the security sector reforms across the security organs such as the national army, police, intelligence and prisons which are dominated by two ethnic groups as well as implement a plan to recover $4.5 billion pocketed by his tribesmen ministers.


As it stands now, most government institutions including the military and paramilitary reflect only one or two ethnicities. Instead of focusing on the real political crisis facing the country, including bad governance, failing institutions and corrupt officials, the President diverted the world attention by announcing a meaningless national dialogue. Yet, he knows very well this dialogue does nothing, but buy time for him and his tribes mates -- the Jieng Council of Elders to drag the country into more economic turmoil and political crisis.

For South Sudan to go forward, President Salvar Kiir must accept the implementation of the peace agreement signed with the SPLA-IO in 2015 and ARCISS in entirety. He must not interfere with implementation of national reform of government institutions such as police, national security, prison, military and public service and in order to correct all bad governance problems and the human rights violations committed against South Sudanese citizens ( ref: South-Sudan dialogue 2002/ and 2005, and Equatoria Conferences 2011 resolutions). It is through such reforms and inclusion policy that there can be real national dialogue and not the kind of superficial forgiveness Mr. Kiir talks about.


A critical look at the proposal for the dialogue quickly reveals the following: Thirteen out 26 Members of the “National Dialogue Steering Committee” are Kiir’s hardliners, peace spoilers, JCE members, and some members of advisory board are very ill-suited and have no competency in conflict resolution mechanisms such facilitation, mediations, impartiality, and leadership. Moreover, the list of national dialogue members demonstrated that, the national dialogue is no longer a dialogue, but rather a monologue since Kiir, the very creator of political crisis and bad governance, is also the chair with his associates appointed either as advisors or committee members.
In nutshell, the rule of thumb of dialogue is that the parties to the conflict, disputes and problems to be resolved by dialogue or mediation cannot chair dialogue committee. Dialogue processes require impartial, independent and qualified body to preside over the committee and its membership.


President Salvar Kiir has been in the office for over 10 years, ruled and has failed to govern the country for the good of all citizens. He has killed the aspirations and hopes of South Sudanese who fought against successive governments of Sudan regimes. Having struggled and shed their bloods for more than 50 years, South Sudanese people want nothing, but good governance, justice and equality for all and not for a select few; power and resource-sharing, inclusion and respect and dignity. These are the same demands that the Southern Sudanese political block demanded in the pre-independence at Juba Conference of 1947 as well as the first session of the first national parliament following independence from Britain in 1956.


As a South Sudanese, I believe the only Christmas and New Year gift Mr. Kiir can give to South Sudan is to resign and permit new leadership to take the country to a brighter future. The country needs new servant leadership that puts his/her own personal and tribal interests behind the interests of the country, has the knowledge, capacity, competency, and will to deal with the numerous man made (SPLM/A) challenges facing the people.


Finally, Kiir’s national dialogue call falls short of dialogue requirements, principles and mechanisms and it is not dialogue per se, but rather national monologue.


Hüstin Läkü,SR
Federalism, Decentralization, Conflict Resolution and International Development Consultant

South Sudanese Diaspora vs Suzanne Jambo

Paul Tambura (I'm glad you signed your email based in the UK),

Landi and the good reverend Andrew Henry, Nyatom et el,

You guys are so tired of washing dishes and doing dirty manual work in Europe & USA etc you think your best bet is an 11th hour wake up call to 'keyboard unguided missiles throwing serve' your nation after 15th Dec 2013.

If you google some of us, you will see our remarkable career history - some of us are here purely to serve our Nation. So please don't slither and salivate over nothing. More is yet to come brethren!

I am still young and you've a long way to put up with my face & services. So chill and do something useful.

As for Landi, what's wrong: you gave me a 'challenge' of meeting you: and I replied you, so what's your issues again? You're one of those characters who are ever going round and more rounds saying nothing really!

Suzanne Jambo
National Secretary for External Relations
The SPLM----------------------------------------------


Hi all,


I have always kept a distance from any discussion that has no substance and full of personal attacks. However, after I read Suzanne Jambo’s unsubstantiated attacks on the South Sudanese diaspora ethical earnings in the west, I decided to respond to attack with evidence and some facts about South Sudanese diaspora contributions to South Sudan’s development, liberation and independence.

I’d like to address Jambo’s claim about “washing dishes and doing dirty manual work in Europe & the U.S.A.,” from: lobby and advocacy; investment; foreign aid and donor contribution; the UNMISS funding; the CPA process, and the current peace talks funding.

Yes, it is true that few members of South Sudan diaspora are doing lower pay jobs. However, jumbo’s generalization of her claim to include the majority of South Sudanese diaspora who don’t fit into such classification is not doing history justice. Today, there are professional South Sudanese diaspora members who are employed in the west, the U.N., and INGOs on the basis of their strong educational backgrounds, competencies, competition, job merits of the western public services rules and regulations as opposite to South Sudan government appointments, and promotions based on loyalty to leader who controls government positions, and has upper hands in promotions, and appointments of relatives. The immense issue of loyalty has led to the current dysfunctional public services across South Sudan. In addition, the leadership of South Sudan government uses patronage to benefit loyalists, and makes family members and friends rich at the expense of the majority of the South Sudanese. This means that country’s’ economy would be control by one group.

South Sudanese diaspora earn their money ethically from whatever jobs they do 24/7, pay taxes to federal, state, and county governments, and in return they receive services from the three levels of government. For instance, the evacuation of South Sudanese diaspora from Juba, Bor, and Malakal in December 2013 & 2016 is a classic example of western governments’ responsibility for their citizens.

The 192 Kilometer tarmacked road from Juba to Nimule was funded by the USAID. What this means is that, South Sudanese diaspora, who are in your own words, “dish wishers and dirty manual workers in Europe Canada & the U.S.A.,” pay for this road that brings food and development materials to Juba for you and your family members to survive. Without the diaspora contributions for construction of this road, I don’t know how goods would enter Juba, and how government of the South Sudan would survive without goods and services tax revenues from Juba-Nimule Road.

Another example is the water project for Juba One Basic Schools opposite to All Saint’s Cathedral, funded by the USAID. The U.S.A. Embassy in Juba has all figures available.
A Mother and Child Health Care (MCHC) Program in South Sudan is funded by Local Initiative Project Funds for South Sudan through Canadian Embassy in Juba. There are humanitarian projects under the MSF and an agriculture project under Carl Bomby, all funded by government of Canada. Please, feel free to consult Ambassador Nick in Juba for further details. Below are other examples of diaspora contribution to South Sudan’s development.

The 2010 Study Tour of the SPLM and the NCP members to Ottawa, Quebec, Calgary, and Toronto to learn from Canadian experiences in Quebec’s referendum was funded by Government of Canada. Please, consult Hon. Ann Itto, and H.E. Lawrence Korbandy, if Juba Govt pays for the cost of the Study Tour trip.

The following western countries are the most generous donors to South Sudan since the CPA was signed. Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the U.K., and they formed the Joint Donor Team, which contributed $400 million in the interim period to address development issues.

During the referendum the European Union contributed $200 million Euros for development fund. In April 2013, the U.S.A, organized a donor forum to save the South Sudan economy form complete collapse. Donors added up to $300 million to the $1.3 billion already pledged to South Sudan for 2013.

Every time there is flood, humanitarian crisis or hunger problem, Juba government officials call on INGOs for help, and they usually respond quickly and positively. The operations and fix cost of INGOs in South Sudan are payed for by the South Sudanese diaspora taxes. Suzanne you cannot bite the hands, and cut the throats of South Sudanese diaspora who are feeding you, family, and your government on a daily basis.

Overall, the point here is to let you and your government officials who are hostile to diaspora know that each time government of South Sudan received funding from the western countries for development, health, education, peace talks, humanitarian assistances and study tour to Canada, the U.S., and Europe, South Sudanese diaspora contributed directly towards the funding. For example, the success of the SPLM and the NCP members study tour to Canada was due to diaspora proposal to government of Canada through their elected representatives in the House of Commons. Some South Sudanese diaspora helped the host governments with policy advice, logistics, and operations of the study tours, as well as lobby on behalf of the SPLM/A, and raised advocacy on humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. Therefore, South Sudanese diaspora through the Multi Donor Teams and other western countries foot the bills of the CPA Peace Talks; thus, paying for SPLM/A negotiators’ hotels, travel, transportation, pocket money, and other expenses. Please, tell us if SPLM/A pay a penny for the Peace Talks and the peace that you are enjoying now in Juba. Of course, South Sudanese in the diaspora did.

Who educated the western governments about Sudan’s civil war?

The dynamic of civil war in the Sudan could not have been understood well in the western countries without the tireless advocacy and lobby of South Sudanese diaspora are “dish washers and dirty manual workers” in the west. The Diaspora stories and their participations in the day-to-day politics of the governing party helped the SPLM/A to get support from the west. Yes, some of those “dish wishers and dirty manual workers in Europe, Canada, Australia  & the U.S.A,” at time left their jobs in order to appeared before the Foreign Affairs Committees of the western Parliaments, Senates, and House of Representatives to defend the SPLM/A.

The South Sudanese diaspora engaged the ten Emperors (known as the Council) to speak, defend, lobby White House, Congress and Senate and Canadian Parliament and EU Parliament for solution to Sudan’s long civil war in Africa. Through the South Sudanese diaspora persistent efforts, the following people became committed to working for an end to the Sudan’s civil war: Jendayi Frazer, Jonnie Carson, Hon. Bronx Cox, Deputy House of Lords, Roger Winter, John Prendergast, Prof. Eric Reeves of Smith College, Hon. David Kilgour, Hon. Maurice Vellacott, M.P, Hon. Prof. Irwin Colter, former Canadian Justice Minister, Hon. Jason Kenney, Rabbi Bulka, Eng. Roger Stone, St. Thomas Anglican church, Prof. John Weiss of Cornell, and many others. The South Sudanese diaspora put continuous and consistent pressure on the western governments to fund the CPA Peace; the current peace talks in Addis, the relief to IDPs and refugees in Malakal. Without diaspora efforts through rallies and demonstrations even in negative 39ºC to create awareness in the west the SPLA/M would have not gotten the exposure to attract the west to its side during the Sudan civil war. It was through the efforts of the South Sudanese diaspora that peace activists such as Roger Winter came to advise the SPLM to play the correct card in the national and international discussions and during the referendum period.

Further, the diaspora voting power during the western countries elections has play bigger role in bringing Sudan’s war closer to politicians’ eyes in the western countries, as well taking it to schools, universities, churches, and general public.

Now, let me bring South Sudanese diaspora contributions to South Sudan’s economic development closer to your fingertips, so that you can understand better, think, and see bigger picture.

In 2008, and 2009, a group of South Sudanese diaspora shipped 10 medical containers (full of medical supplies, 750 wheeler chairs, X-ray machine, Ultra Sounds, medical beds, medical mattresses, blankets, bed sheets, operating room equipment, operating room beds, delivery room beds, and others) to Juba, and equipped Juba Hospital, CES Children Hospital and Kator Clinic. The medical project equipped 13 medical clinics in CES. Please, talk to Mr. Felix Lado, Medical Assistant & the current CES Minister of Health, Dr. Kuran, Dr. Jamal, Dr. Mirghani, Dr. Louis, and Dr. Isaac to educate you on what the diaspora did to rescue and improve the poor South Sudan health care system. What have you done Suzanne besides writing disparagingly about South Sudanese diaspora?

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=269399906438579&id=100001057148645&sfnsn=wa

The 2008 diapora medical project has benefited medical clinic in the county of the Hon. Wani Igga, Loka West Hospital in the area of the Hon. Yatta Lugar, former GoSS Deputy Minister of Health, and Yei County Hospital in the area of Hon. Aligo LoLado, former CES Minister of Finance. Please, feel free to ask these Honorable men who equipped clinics with medical equipment in their areas, and let us know?


https://www.facebook.com/nyangwaradiaspora.nyangwaradiaspor/videos/634918906553342/?sfnsn=wa

In 2008, there was a flood due to rain in Aweil, and the same diaspora medical project donated 3000 blankets to the victims of Aweil’s floods. Please, consult Hon. Kom Kom, M.P., in the National Assembly for further details. How many blankets have you and your SPLM Secretariat donated for any humanitarian crisis in South Sudan? Show us your records not writings?
Furthermore, in field of education, the same group of diaspora (in 2008-to date) that you call “dish washers and dirty manual workers” equipped the University of Juba & South Sudan Catholic University libraries with 11000 medical and health Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology textbooks, Juba Health Institute library with health and medical textbooks as well as teaching aid. Please, visit U of J & SSCU libraries and ask Mr. David Lado about the diaspora medical textbooks donations. How many textbooks have you donated to University of Juba library to help South Sudan’s education system develop?

The visit of former VC of U of J, Prof. Aggrey Abate to Canada in 2010 to address the needs of U of J, was because of a diaspora proposal to Canadian government. Please, consult Prof. Abate.

With regard to investments, diaspora held investment forum discussions, and gave talks to western companies’ CEOs and encourage them to invest in South Sudan. It is these diaspora that you call “dish washers and dirty manual workers” who helped some investors to invest in South Sudan.

Every day, members of diaspora communities receive calls from the South Sudan regarding financial assistance. The South Sudanese diaspora has sent and will keep on sending $$$$$$$ of dollars to help pay for medical bills, school tuitions, Funeral expense, and buy foods for their relatives and friends. You know very well that employees in South Sudan at times work up to six month without salaries, and without diaspora financial contributions, South Sudan economy would have collapsed long time ago.

Suzanne you can write, but South Sudanese don’t eat what you write in the internet. my humble advice to you is, before you attack South Sudanese diaspora do research on them, before insulting them, see the big picture, thinks before you write, walk your talks, and think big to understand the role South Sudanese diaspora played in South Sudan’s, liberation and independence, as well now playing in its development, and the current Peace Talks in Addis.

Suzanne, think for a minute about the diaspora contributions to South Sudan’s development, liberation and independence, Why do you, other Sudan government officials, and the SPLM executive members have the audacity to disparagingly call the diaspora “dish washers and lower pay workers and not entitled to dual citizenship as stated by some South Sudanese government Officials, MPs who are mad and envious of South Sudanese foreign passport holders evacuations from Juba in December 2014. Instead of complaining about diaspora evacuation, the SPLM and South Sudan government need to learn from western countries responsibilities towards their citizens.”
There is one thing all will agree with me that South Sudan diaspora earnings are ethical, not stolen public money. Diaspora members have work ethics, and hired by the western countries the U.N., and INGOs on the basis of strong educational background, competencies, competitions, and job merits. In the west you never hear semi-illiterate cook helpers or and salesmen appointed ambassadors.

As much as the SPLA/M freedom fighters fought for South Sudan independence, and liberation, South Sudan diaspora also fought with their energies, education, pens, ideas, money, and contributed equally in South Sudan liberation and independence.

Now, the guns fighting for liberation of South Sudan is finished; however, the real big fight against tribalism, ethnicity, nepotism, favoritism, and loyalism remind the bigger challenge faces South Sudanese who believe in real democracy based on federalism, equal opportunities, and justice for all.

South Sudan’s economic developments, core value of believe, equality and justice for all require diaspora experiences, skills, competencies, and leadership. State of Israel was established by the power of Jewish diaspora in the west, and unlike, Israel, South Sudan government cannot undermine the power of South Sudanese diaspora for South Sudan’s economic development, and brighter future.


Thanks for your interest in South Sudanese diaspora, © Laku, Sr.

Will the Peace Hold in Southern Sudan after the passing of Dr. John Garang?

Will the Peace Hold in Southern Sudan after the passing of Dr. John Garang?
The roots of the conflict in the Sudan goes back to the early 19th century, several decades before the advent of the Western colonialism in the Sudan; which makes it one the longest wars in the world after the Israeli- Palestine war.
Also, the war in the Southern Sudan, between the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the National Islamic fundamentalism (NIF) in Khartoum is among Africa’s oldest and deadliest conflicts and largest in the region. More then 3 million were killed, achieving a death toll over twenty times higher than Darfur’s do date.
The NIF viewed the CPA as an opportunity to direct the international community’s attention away from their ongoing genocide in Darfur. While they have made some cosmetic changes, the NIF hasn’t fulfilled their core obligations to the CPA and don’t appear any more committed to this peace agreement than to any of the other treaties they’ve signed. In fact the NIF has put enormous obstacles in place to prevent progress on the CPA. It seems clear the NIF has no intention of sharing either power or oil revenue with the SPLA.

On the one hand it is impossible for the SPLA or the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGDA) to know if the NIF is sharing oil revenues according to the dictates of the CPA because the NIF won’t disclose what the total revenues are. It is also likely that the NIF will use oil money to manipulate voting in the upcoming referendum on separation, which will take place in six years time.

The NIF’s continued support for the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda is another problem calling the success of the CPA into question. How could the LRA cross the east side of the river to west, without the logistical support of the NIF? Yei is the only source of food to the population in Juba and most of the Arab trades are not happy that food should come from Yei, because it will have negative impact on their business in Juba.

As know you the recent attacked on the convey in early September between Juba and Yei, the NIF is behind it. How could (LRA) cross the east side of the river to west, without the logistic support of the NIF? Yei is the only source of food to Juba population and most of the Arab trades are not happy that the food should come from Yei, because it will have negative impact on their business in Juba.

The United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), could have prevented the recent attack in Yei-Juba road, but the 700 UNMIS peacekeeping troops are based only in Juba unarmed and mostly allied with Khartoum’s regimes and who have large investments in the Sudanese oil sector. Most of the UNMIS peacekeeping troops from Australia, Russia and other European countries are enjoying themselves in Khartoum’s expensive hotels playing cards and smoking cigars instead of patrolling the North / South border.
Besides this, the mandate of United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is very weak. They have no power to arrest treaty violators, detain suspects or fight back. This is a repeat of the situation in Darfur and if such attacks continue UNMIS will be as impotent as the AU in that region.
Furthermore, the NIF has not disclosed the number of troops it still has in Southern Sudan to the UNMIS, either in Juba or other part of Southern Sudan.

Added to this hostile elements are the 500,000 Janjaweed with their horses, women and children that the NIF relocated from Darfur to Rokon County, about 60 miles south west of Juba. Their presence tends to indicate that the NIF intends to unleash a campaign of atrocities on Rokon County similar to the one they have in Darfur.
Another tactic the NIF is using to destabilize South Sudan is the transfer of large numbers of Egyptian Arabs to that region. This is in keeping with their policy of Arabizing Sudan and the implementation of this policy is what leads to the violence in Darfur.

The NIF encourages immigration from Egypt by offering these migrants the following rights: freedom of entry to Sudan without visas; residence permits are provided free of cost; freedom of movement within the whole of Sudan; the ability to own land upon arrival; the right to vote as soon as they settle in Sudan.
All of this is going on while tens of thousands of Sudanese languish in Egypt in deplorable conditions with none of the aforementioned privileges. Nineteen thousand are registered with the UNHCR, but there are many more Sudanese stranded in Egypt, unable to return to Sudan.

The strategy is obvious; the Arabs are being relocated in the south while African Southerners are being kept from returning in an attempt to shift the demographic to favour Khartoum when the vote for independence comes in 2011.
The abuse of South Sudanese is not restricted to Egypt. There are countless Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in Khartoum or in the IDP camps around it such as Hagi Yousif , Kalakata and Al-Sal’ama Camp in Jebel.
Since the death of Garang the dumping of five to ten bodies of South Sudanese has become a daily occurrence. Those who had managed to scrape together enough to escape the IDP camps and eke out a living in Khartoum are being driven from their homes once again by landlords who are increasing rents by as much as 100%. Whole families are being driven back into the camps straining what resources are available there.

In another effort to keep Southerners from returning home the NIF has increased air fare from Khartoum to Juba from $100, to $200. These are just a few of the tactics implemented by the NIF to insure the CPA fails. It is up to the international community to monitor these violations and, more importantly, insure there are very real and very negative consequences for such abuse. Only through this type of foreign intervention will the NIF be made to respect their obligations under the CPA and implement it fully without delay.

Afro-Canadian MPs and african diplomats have a disappointing record on Darfur

Aug 24, 2005 (Ottawa) — If the Afro-Canadian Members of Parliament do not care about the genocide in Darfur, why should the Canadian government care about Darfur? Canada sent 1,400 troops to Bosnia because Canadians of European decent play a big role in Canadian government and politics today. Today, Africans do have a voice in Canada’s Parliament, but most have chosen to be quiet on issues affecting Africa. Bloc Quebecois MP Maka Kotto, a Canadian-African of Cameroonian decent, has chosen to keep quiet instead of supporting Independent MP David Kilgour in the fight against the genocide in Darfur, in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia.

Why is Maka Kotto so silent on Africans’ problems? Why are Senator Donald Oliver, MPs Jean Augustine, Hedy Fry, Marlene Jennings, Rahim Jaffer and Deepak Obhrai silent in the issue of Darfur? Thanks to Gurmant Grewal and Bhupinder S. Liddar for their continued support of Africans: you are true sons of Africa, may God bless you. It is a shame on our African MPs.
Additionally and most important is the silence of the African diplomatic corps (with exception of some embassies). I think when Europeans come to Africa as diplomats they are very vocal in the press in the countryside, with the people, but our OWN African diplomats as a unit are very silent except for photo opportunities during Independence Day celebrations and parties; leaving their children in Canada when their term has ended. Therefore, I’d like to see the Dean and the African Heads of Missions in Canada form a coalition to ensure that the government of Canada plays its part in peacekeeping in Darfur and to push their weight collectively to answer all of Africa’s concerns.

In 2003, I wrote a letter to Jean Augustine in reference to rape victims in the Sudan and asking how she could assist. I received no formal reply from her office until now. How many times has Ms. Augustine written to the prime minister about the suffering women of Darfur? Not a single letter, that I know of. Last May I wrote an open letter to all MPs regarding genocide in Darfur. I received no responses from any of the Afro-Canadian MPs. So why should the world care about Africans and the Caribbean if black senators and MPs are not concerned about Africa?

It’s too early to know how much the newly appointed governor general will do for the victims of the rape in Darfur, peace in the South Sudan, genocide in Congo, and hunger in Niger, Mali and Ethiopia. I do hope she will not turn her back on Africa and Caribbean. Can she make injustice visible?

©By Justin Laku,
Founder of the group Canadian Friends of Sudan

REINSTATEMENT OF SENIORITY WITH CORRECT RANKS, AND PROMOTION ADJUSTMENTS

May 29th, 2012

To: H.E. Major General Alison Elia Magaya

Minister of Interior

Juba, Republic of South Sudan

RE: REINSTATEMENT OF SENIORITY WITH CORRECT RANKS, AND PROMOTION ADJUSTMENTS

Dear Mr. Magaya,

I am a concerned citizen of South Sudan, researcher, an academic, socio-political activist, civil society member, and watch-dog. I am writing to you regarding reinstatement, and promotions of some of South Sudan Police and Prison Officers who have not been promoted according to their batch. The un-promoted Officers have served under the national government of Sudan with competency, efficiency and effectiveness, reinstated and integrated into South Sudan Police Forces with the lower ranks, while their peers of same class were promoted to higher ranks such as Major Generals.

As you know complaint regarding the Police and Prison Officers were submitted to your predecessor’s desk and to your office to look into the promotion concerns of the Police and the Prison Officers who are still not promoted to the same ranks as their colleagues and peers. But the office of your predecessor failed to address and resolve these issues holistically, and now it appears that the current office of Minister of interior is following similar policy of delay, depriving and suppressing the promotions and reinstatement of certain Police and Prison Officers.

Furthermore, I would like to remind you that during the 2010 swearing in ceremony of the President of government of South Sudan, President Salva assured the un-promoted Officers that, he will address the reinstatement and promotions issues promptly, once and for all, and in timely manner. However, it appears that nothing has been done to resolve reinstatement and promotions of the current active Police and Prison Services Officers.

In addition to this, the research showed that there is a new list of inactive Police Officers before President Salva’s desk awaiting Presidential Decree for their reinstatement and promotions. Furthermore, most of the inactive Police Officers were out of police services for over ten years, and some have lived in the Western countries for many years and might have forgotten the police system, while the outstanding Police Officers with excellent performances, excellent academic credentials and excellent experiences are left out from the current promotions and deprive from all constitutional rights. How could South Sudan Police system and the Ministry of Interior explain this discrimination of its own Police Officers? This discrimination will demoralized the effectiveness of police toward crimes reduction. This discrimination will help deprive Police Officers not to act or deter and prevent crimes the high rate of killing crimes in Juba and other parts of South Sudan, and why should priority be given to inactive Police Officers who spent many years abroad without active duty? The first priority should be given to South Sudan Police and Prison Officers who are currently active on duty.

Finally, as a concerned citizen of South Sudan, researcher, an academic, socio-political activist, civil society member, and watch-dog, I would like to see the promotions, reinstatements, and readjustments issues and concerns be addressed as soon as possible, so that the Human Rights and equality be recognized in a timely manner. People of South Sudan fought because of injustice, inequality, and discrimination in the old Sudan regime, and some of South Sudan Police and Prison Officers are experiencing similar injustice, inequality, and discrimination under the current South Sudan government system. Peace without justice and equality is not a peace.

Thanks for your interest in the concerns of citizen of South Sudan and I hope to hear from you soon with favorable results.

Yours sincerely, Justin Laku

P.S. I enclosed to you attached list of deprived and un-promoted Police and Prison Officers

Cc: H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President

Cc: H.E. Riek Machar, Ph.D., Vice President

Cc: Hon. James Wani Igga, South Sudan Parliament’s Speaker

Cc: H.E. Clement Wani, Central Equatoria State Governor

Cc: H.E. Louis Lobong, Eastern Equatoria State Governor

Cc: H.E. Joseph Baksoro, Westernn Equatoria State Governo

Cc: H.E. Joseph Bol, South Sudan Senate Speaker

Cc: H.E. the U.S.A., Ambassador to South Sudan

Cc: All Members of National and State Parliaments

Cc: All Foreign Mission Ambassadors in South Sudan

Cc: All International Media House

Cc: All Donors Members States

Cc: All Members of Diaspora

© Laku's Research Centre 2012