By: Bol K. Rom
February 13, 2014 (SSNA) — A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that suspends certain normal functions of the executive, the legislative or any other rights of the people for a period of time. It orders all government agencies to implement emergency or President plans. State of emergency always declares by dictatorial regimes. It’s necessary in countries; but, not in a way it’s being applied by Dictators, as it is the case in Greater Upper Nile. This state of serial killing or genocide, now ongoing in Greater Upper Nile, isn’t just a mere state of emergency as we hear from President Kiir and his likes.
However, there is a hidden objective behind that declaration. This objective is none other than ethnic cleansing. An ethnic cleansing in Greater Upper Nile, why? Greater Upper Nile is a home region to most prominent political challengers—political rivals of Salva Kiir. These rivals are Dr. Riek Machar, Dr. Majak D’agot, Mr. Pa’gan Amum, Mr. Taban Deng, Ambassador. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Mr. Gier Chuang Aloung, Mr. Oyai Deng Ajak, Mr. John Luk Jok…etc. All these leaders hail from Greater Upper Nile. Annihilation of these mentioned personalities altogether may secondarily come into the mind of Serial Killing plotter—Salva Kiir Mayardit. But, Kiir primary objective is to wipe out Dr. Riek Machar and his ethnic group, the second larger group in South Sudan at the first step.
He made it crystal clear in one of the meetings he attended in Warrap’s Akon district “We won’t enjoy for years the total freedom in an Independent Republic of South Sudan unless Riek Machar Nuer ethnic group is silenced in their behavioral search of seeking, leadership, freedom and justice for all. The worse thing is that, Riek now wants to take your power. The power I have. Should I give it to him? “A cie be gam “his people replied back in Dinka, meaning in English power (leadership) will not be given to Riek. Salva Kiir thinks if Nuer becomes controllable he would govern well for life without RIEK MACHAR’s ethnic group making resistance!
That was why Juba Massacre was ordered strictly against the Nuer. Juba Massacre, the ongoing killings in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states are meant to silence the Nuer. The SPLM’s Riek Machar group comprises of different political figures from different communities across South Sudan. Otherwise, all tribes including the Chollo, Bari, Dinka..Etc would have been targeted in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Bentiu. Without exception! The state of present Genocide or emergency in Greater Upper Nile is declared for six months to complete the ambition. The ambition of having Nuer exterminated! Though, in a later date, a six months state of emergency in Greater Upper Nile was publicly announced in the month of January, on state-owned SSTV. It was beforehand circulated to Dootku Beny forces—Kiir forces field commanders in Central Equatoria and Greater Upper Nile. It’s only a period of three months which was given, to complete Benydit’s aspiration. “Come March the 30th, this year, I don’t want to see anyone from his (Riek) group be it a child, women, elderly or whatever”. A source close to inner circle disclosed it to the writer.
Systematically, indiscriminate killing is ongoing especially in Unity and Upper Nile states, carrying out by joint foreign troops turned– government of South Sudan forces with such order in mind. These joint operations being carried out by Kiir’s soldiers—his private army, UPDF, SPLM/A-N from Southern Kordufan and Blue Nile and JEM from Darfur. So these joint Operations are executing the order which was first issued in Juba on 15th Dec, 2013. Col. Philip Aguer, SPLA spokesperson in his reply, when asked late last month by Journalists in Juba; over the allegations that Nuer people are being targeted by the SPLA in Greater Upper Nile. He said and I quote “ Nuer people aren’t being targeted, and if they are, an overall responsibility could be blame on two Governors, Army Generals who are in charge of operations there. Because, all the SPLA/SSLA Commanders currently in the field in Greater Upper Nile are Nuer, he lamented. In Upper Nile state you can find Gov. Simon Kun Puoch, Lt. Gen. Johnson Gony Bilieu, Maj. Gen. Lual Chuol and Brig. Gen. Buay Rolnyang all these are Nuer Generals now commanding the SPLA forces in Malakal. Concerning Unity state, Dr. Nguen Monytuil is a Governor, Lt. Gen. Bapiny Monytuil, Maj. Matthew Pul Jang are the ones running the state right now” end quote. I just cannot understand Philip’s statement. Did he mean Nuer Generals and soldiers are the one carrying out these immense killings in Malakal as well as in Bentiu? If he means it this way, then what is a different between a government and those SPLA’s Nuer elements within? Tangible answers to these questions must be provided!
In retrospect, in 2011 a similar statement was also uttered by Malak Ayuen after when Brig. Gen. Gatwech Gai, a SPLA Officer, with directive from SPLA Headquarters failed to kill in cold blood Maj. Gen. Gabriel Tanginye in Northern Jonglei’s Kaldak area. And I can also quote, just for public comparison “The people of Fangak always kill their Leaders, they killed Mr. John Kulang Puot, Chuol Deng Luth, William Nyuon Bany to mention but a few. All those leaders were killed in Fangak and by the people of Fangak. Likewise, Gatwech Gai wanted to kill Gabriel Tang on 24th, April, 2011 for no good reason. Why, what is a problem? Why people of Fangak would always wish to kill themselves? It is not good at all.” End quote. Brig. Malaak Ayuen was trying to dismiss allegations that GoSS/SPLA ordered Gatwech Gai to kill Gen. Gabriel Tanginye. He (Malaak) said Brig. Gen. Gatwech Gai, had only a Fangak-gene of killing each other as usual. Equally, Col. Philip Aguer was in the same token trying to vindicate that Juba government is not killing the Nuer civilians in Greater Upper Nile. However, a question is; who’s in reality killing the Nuer, burning, destroying their homes and properties, now in Unity and Upper Nile states? Looting UN’s agencies material goods! Are they Rebels? Are these statements uttered by two gentlemen literally nationalistic, realistic and governmental? Make your point please by answering these questions for yourself. To me, as far as my knowledge is concern, Nuer people are being killed massively. Their homes are being burned to ashes, cattle are driven away and properties are also looted or destroyed by the government forces. Whether or not there is a different between the government and the Nuer elements within that is none of our business.
This is what is happening in Greater Upper Nile. Therefore the question of who is committing these atrocities has been clearly communicated to the world. It is the so-called national legitimate government-turned Awan Chan’s in Juba. Intentionally, the way in which these atrocities are carrying out is very hilarious indeed. Yes, let me dig out something a bit in regard to Philip Aguer utterance and how the government works in Juba. President Kiir is blindfolding other none -Dinka people around him, Nuer included, that what is now in Juba with its all directives to the states are national Government’s directives. And it should be consider as government for all. This notion is illogical. The government is not a national government which is representing the interest of all South Sudanese. Practically, if you can follow up Juba government activities you will only see Gogrialians’ interest is advancing. President Kiir’s interest in particular! Look, the fight against SPLA/M pro-democracy in Greater Upper Nile, even in Juba is being fought by all forces including the Nuer SPLA elements. Yet, Dootku Beny or Awan Chan’s forces are given or have extra rights— privileges to kill any Nuer that they could find whether or not in presence of Nuer’s SPLA/SSLA elements who are fighting alongside Kiir’s forces.
The Nuer big gluttonous stooges that are now holding up Kiir’s illegal government have all lost people in Juba Massacre and in ongoing serial killing in Greater Upper Nile. Some have lost even their own sons, daughters, family members and relatives. What strange stories would they be if ever told! Thousands of Nuer people including children, women and elderly are murdered in cool blood in this civil war.
Especially in Unity and Upper Nile states where Kiir’s joint operations are facing less resistance. Unity state’s Mayom, Guit, Rubkotni, Koch and Leer counties are all turned into ashes by those joint operations. Thousands of people in these counties are being killed indiscriminately here and there. On everybody watch, including their representatives in the National Legislative Assembly! These so-called people representatives or MPs in South Sudan’s Legislative Assembly aren’t representing the grassroots populations, but themselves. Because there is no country on earth where its people representative in the National Assembly could fail to condemn the killing of his/her people in hundreds. Every Nuer MP in the National Legislative Assembly has lost approximately about 400-500 or more people in Juba, Malakal, Bor and Bentiu Massacres from his/her constituency. This accumulating number (s) can now sum up, more than thirty-eight thousands people in these massacres. Yet we haven’t heard about any condemnation by Nuer MPs starting from Speaker Magok Rundial downward. Shame on those so-called Nuer representatives in the National Assembly! They weren’t elected by the people. Should this be the reason? Or is it the (Betim) oil money that rainstorm their mouths?
Moreover, in Malakal and Unity state Nuer children, women and elderly are being slaughtered in presence of the SPLA/SSLA‘s Nuer field commanders and soldiers without question. We have just read Philip Aguer aforementioned and quoted statement. It isn’t Philip Aguer alone. Even the President Kiir is laughing at the Nuer people for they are the only people who are paying the prices of the current political violence! Engineered by him! Salva Kiir declared the state of emergency—serial killings in Greater Upper Nile. And ordered what is happening in Unity state’s Mayom, Guit, Rubkotni, Leer,Koch, Panyijiar, Mayiandit and Upper Nile state, Malakal.
Whose stupidity is it now? Is it SPLA/SSLA Nuer elements stupidities, who are blindly executing Benydit’s directives? Or should it be Kiir himself’s idiocy by ordering the killing of his own people whom even participated in voting him into the then regional (GoSS) office? Twisted the present bloody one! Yes, it is the SPLA/SSLA Nuer elements’ stupidities. Because their people are being killed in the vein of chickens, homes burned possessions destroyed or looted with mass displacement while watching. Why should you be blindfolded for such a long time without knowing the conspiracy of a beyond deformed regime against your people? If you aren’t stupid! Or do you think it is a national government in force? Why are you accepting orders which are only targeting your tribe and not President’s tribe if it is the national government?
Is Salva Kiir an elected President? Can a President who knows he was democratically elected by the people kill the same people? Is Salva Kiir a democratically elected President of the Republic of South Sudan? NO! Kiir was only an elected President of Southern Sudan Government and had governed Southern Sudanese as elected President for one year. Where he was later on in 2011 became interim Republic President based on South Sudan Political Parties consensus. Read the South-South Dialogue Communiqué of October, 2010. So Salva Kiir has been a Republic of South Sudan President since July 2011, but he didn’t come through elections. Elections in the Republic of South Sudan are yet to take place, only in 2015. Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit was rendered that power to promote the wellbeing of the whole nations. Instead, he has been using it for instigating tribalism, developed successfully a classic dictatorship which he eventually triggers against the Nuer ethnic group. Hence, invalided that July 2011 interim Republic Government of South Sudan.
Lastly and not the least, if you are among those who are in dot or still believe that what is in Juba now is a national government then you are cheating your good self. Please, you should change your mind now not tomorrow. Or else you’ll unknowingly hurt yourself by killing your own future legacy for nothing. As we are on this piece, should you get a chance to visit uprising affected areas and then have a critical look at Juba streets, all its deserted suburbs and the spirit in which our supposed national government is being ran. You’ll un-intuitively agree with me that there is no Government in the Republic of South Sudan at all. It isn’t only Kiir’s Legacy that has been shattered but also the entire nations. What we are witnessing wasn’t in our minds during determinations days from 9th-15th January, 2011.
In conclusion, given the present mayhem in the country where fighting or uprising has escalated from Central Equatoria state to, Unity, Lakes, Upper Nile, Jonglei, Northern Bhar el Gazhal and Warrap states, seven states out of the country ten states. Killings continue in these seven states. Then how could it hold water that the so-called states and national institutions legitimacies are still in place? A Government doesn’t equally provide its internally displaced persons (IDPs) with food and none food items because of tribalism. These are IDPs of tribe X they will not be given assistance. A Government which its people have run away, about half a million flee to neighboring countries, like Kenya and Uganda etc.
Not only had that, the heart of the governments, which is the civil populations aren’t even in the government controlled towns and cities within the country. Abruptly, in UNMISS’s compounds in Malakal, Bentiu, Bor and Juba. Others who did not manage to go to UNMISS’s compounds have had fled to places away from Government(s). In the bushes for safety! Such a government is disowned, for it becomes illegal and illegitimate government. So to save thousands innocent people live in South Sudan. Salva Kiir’s current illegal Government must be replaced with another yet interim government! Because his Government’s legitimacy is already rinsed away!
The author is a witness to all processes of President Kiir’s ploy which has engulfed the country into present abyss or chaos. And a survivor of Juba Massacre—where over Thirty Eight (38,000) Thousands Nuer are believed to have been massacred or missing. He can be reached on [email protected] or [email protected].