For IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Excellency,

February 19, 2016 (SSNA) -- We, the members of Collo Global Action (CGA) based in the United States of America, would like to seize this opportunity to bring to your considered attention fateful event of calculated cold blood massacre of Collo (Shilluk) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in UNMISS Protection Camp in Malakal Upper Nile State on the 18^th February, 2016.

We strongly condemn this callus and cowardly act perpetrated by members of the Dinka Apandang with the full support and knowledge of the Government of Upper Nile State using elements of the SPLA soldiers who are directly under the command of the newly appointed Governor of the so-called Eastern Nile State, Lt-Gen. Chol Thon against innocent unarmed civilians taking refuge in the UNMISS Protection Camp in Malakal.

Excellency,

Lt-Gen. Chol Thon (Governor) since his unconstitutional appointment by President Salva Kiir on the 24^th December, 2015 has vigorously embarked on the policy of displacing members of Shilluk tribe (the third largest tribe in South Sudan) from their villages within the environ of Malakal town which historically belongs to Shilluk. The attack on the 18^th February, 2016 was a well planned and executed operation by the Governor and his Dinka supporters and shall be understood in the context of operationalization of the Presidential Establishment Order 36/2015 which divided the Republic of South Sudan into 28 new States. It is worth noting that the Presidential Establishment Order 36/2015 was unanimously rejected by the Collo (Shilluk) communities inside South Sudan and in the diaspora. It has for the first time in 500 years of the Shilluk kingdom divided its territories and illegally annexing all the villages in the Eastern bank of the Nile to Dinka Apandang. The attacked of innocent civilians inside UNMISS protection side constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes and it will further aggravate tribal hatred between different communities in South Sudan in particular Shilluk and Dinka, with dire consequences to the implementation of the signed August Peace Agreement.

Excellency,

We therefore, call upon your esteemed office to immediately carry out full independent investigation into the 18^th February incident. The envisaged report shall examine the reasons as to why UNMISS soldiers stationed in UNMISS Protection Camp in Malakal failed to detect the smuggling of arms by members of Dinka Apandang into the camp. Equally, it shall also examine failure by UNMISS soldiers who are operating under Chapter VII and tasked with the protection to the internally displaced persons in executing their legal mandate. This barbaric incident if not handle with utmost consideration could lead to breakdown of trust between our people and UNMISS, hence it necessitates immediate investigation by the UNMISS.

We urge members the United Nations Security Council to take serious measure against the Government of South Sudan in their complicit implication in the cold blooded massacre of Collo (Shilluk) internally Displaced Persons in UNMISS Protection Camp. Lt-Gen. Chol Thon name should be included in the list of individuals threatening the peaceful co-existence of communities in Upper Nile state which could result in the complete collapse of the signed August Peace Agreement in accordance to resolution 2206(2015) of the UNSC pertaining to sanctions on South Sudan. We the members of Shilluk community demands that the report into the 18^th February, 2016 shall be made public as soon as possible to avoid retaliation from our community.

Excellency, we look forward to your prompt response to issues raised in this letter.

Yours,

PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT:  GENERAL BRIEFING ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SOUTH SUDAN

Canada, February 21, 2016 (SSNA) -- On behalf of SPLM/A Canada Mission and my own behalf as SPLM/SPLA Deputy Representative to Canada, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate and salute the SPLM/SPLA Chairman and Commander in Chief General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon for his appointment as the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and his successful visit, meeting with South African President Jacob Juma this week.

SPLM/SPLA Canada Mission condemns in the strongest term the barbaric act committed by the government forces of the SPLA Juba and their militias in Upper Nile state (based on 10 states) under the leadership of Major General Chol Tong. The act of terror inflicted on innocent Chollo and Nuer in the protected IDPs camps under UNMISS on February 17, 2016 in which more than 18 lives were lost and over 100 wounded is not acceptable especially when we the SPLM/SPLA and Juba regime had signed agreement to end the war in our country. The government of South Sudan and President Salva Kiir need to control his army and militias from continued violations of the Compromised Peace Agreement and mascaraing innocent citizens based on tribal targeting.

We in the SPLM/SPLA mission also condemns the continued killing of innocent civilians in Western, Central and Eastern Equatoria SPLM/SPLA cantonment areas. We also condemn the killing of innocent civilians in Western Bahr El Ghazal specially areas under SPLM/SPLA control.

The SPLM/SPLA Canada also want to clarify to the public that SPLM/SPLA (IO) is not owned as a Private property by our Chairman and Commander in Chief General Machar Teny-Dhurgon as it was alleged by Moulana Khan Tut during his defection to Salva Kiir Juba SPLM neither do SPLM/SPLA leadership promote unqualified SPLA members in the Military ranks, all Officers promoted in our SPLA forces are qualified and committed volunteers who sacrificed their lives to liberate South Sudan from dictatorship and gross Human Rights violations and genocide inflicted in Juba in December 2013. I want to inform the public and the people of South Sudan that people who go to Pagak capital are members who have decided to join the SPLM/SPLA and some of the members are registered members in diaspora who decided to go and implement the Compromised Peace Agreement through volunteering and are promoted based on their qualifications and experience.

The SPLM/SPLA Canada Mission also want to clarify the hot debate on social media regarding the congratulatory message sent to the President of Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on his re-election in office by Ugandans voters by our Chairman and Commander in Chief SPLM/SPLA General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon who is also the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan under the Compromised Peace Agreement provisions and Article 6 under Chapter I of the agreement. The SPLM/SPLA Chairman and Commander in Chief is also now the First Vice President of the Republic and on diplomatic relations the SPLM/SPLA Resistance Movement had turned a new Chapter with Uganda  with the visit of our Chairman and Commander in Chief General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon to Uganda on January 25, 2016 and had made a number of agreements with Uganda government example on the implementation of the Compromised Peace Agreement, the issue of 28 states and its violation of the Compromised Peace Agreement and lastly the lifting of the state of emergency to allow our SPLM/SPLA Advanced Team and citizens of South Sudan free movement. The Uganda and its President as a guarantor of this agreement play a major role in realizing and achieving the implementation of the above mention issues that violates the peace agreement. Comrades SPLM/SPLA and its leadership is committed in the implementation of the Compromised Peace Agreement and SPLM/SPLA Canada Mission want to take this opportunity to thanks those countries willing to transport our 2910 forces to Juba and other locations as agreed in ARCISS especially the security arrangement agreement of November 2015, condemning Juba on Malakal attack. It is very imperative that these forces and our Chairman and Commander in Chief bodyguards are transported on time to speed up the implementation of the Compromised Peace Agreement through the arrival of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon.

Comrades SPLM/SPLA Mission want to appeal to you and the international community to support the suffering innocent citizens now continuously been killed by the government of South Sudan and its arrogant and barbaric militias who are taking innocent lives with impunity. It is time for Canada and Canadians to raise up their voices and protest this criminal acts committed against innocent citizens. We also urge you to donate anything in your capacities as SPLM/SPLA Mission members and as Concerned South Sudanese Canadians through our Humanitarian Organization that is Relief Organization for South Sudan, Canada branch Director Comrade Nhial Korow and his team. In conclusion I want to urge our members and supporters to continue with their support and loyalty to the SPLM/SPLA Chairman and Commander in Chief General Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon in ending the war peacefully and implementing it according to the provisions of the Compromised Peace Agreement he signed in August 17, 2015. Defecting to Juba in the time of Agreement and selling our people is not a solution to the conflict that was imposed to us in December 2013, however SPLM/SPLA is a free and volunteer Movement and with strict principles where only loyal members can survive and continue the struggle. Thank you very much for coming and listening to our Press Conference on the Humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Struggle Continues and Victory is Certain.

Press release

According to members of the Jieng community, the JCE is an unelected, self-appointed, self-interest group headed by former politicians of Sudan’s Nimeiry and Bashir regimes who do not represent and/or speak on behalf of the entire Jieng community at large.  Sadly, some prominent members of the group were steadfast opponents of the referendum and independence of South Sudan, while dining with our enemy, President al-Bashir of Sudan, during our struggle. Although this group billed themselves as an independent community based organization, its activities and meddling in the national affairs of the country are detrimental to national unity and nation building.

Our country and its people have endured 24 months of a brutal, gruesome and senseless civil war. Hundreds of thousands of lives are lost and millions are displaced and living as refugees in neighboring countries. After concerted efforts by IGAD and the international community, a Compromise Peace Agreement was signed in August 2015, calling for the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity based on 10 states. The signing of the peace agreement was exuberantly received by the people of South Sudan, providing a sense of hope for stability, and a return to normalcy and peace.  Unfortunately, it was a short-lived celebration because the JCE, with the backing of some military generals, immediately rejected the signed peace agreement as "an imposed peace agreement."  Additionally, to create a stalemate in the implementation of the peace agreement, the JCE hastily advised the President to unilaterally divide the country into an additional 18 states, totaling 28 states.  The newly created states are ethnically based with the potential to ignite a tribal war.  The JCE recklessly continue to give ultimatums, threatening the very peace our people have yearned for.  Because of the JCE's negative rhetoric and misguided advice to the President, leading to national decisions that threaten the unity of South Sudan, the JCE are perceived as contributors to disunity and disintegration of South Sudan along tribal lines.

Contrary to the division of the country into tribal enclaves disguised as the "popular demand of 28 states" orchestrated by JCE policy, South Sudanese people are known as hospitable, united, and living side-by-side regardless of their tribal and cultural differences.  For example, during our liberation struggle, we fought our common enemy as one people, NOT as separate tribes.  It’s also known in our culture as South Sudanese that elders are accorded leadership roles if they demonstrate a sense of responsibility while advocating, through dialogue, for unity, peace, love and harmony within the community.  Unfortunately, the JCE has demonstrated the opposite character and intentions. 

We, as an umbrella organization of South Sudanese communities and friends of South Sudan at large detest and are appalled by the activities and the entitlement behavior exhibited by the JCE in order to disenfranchise the other tribes and to take the country hostage.  JCE activities and behaviors are putting the entire Jieng community at risk with other tribes in South Sudan.  For example, today in South Sudan many innocent Dinka are living in fear of retribution because of JCE meddling in the national affairs of the country as policy drivers that negatively affect other communities in South Sudan.    

According to news reports:  The JCE has proven itself detractors of peace and unity in South Sudan by issuing threats from its leader that he “will fight to the last Dinka man if Dr. Riek has to return to Juba.” 

Recently, a prominent member stated, “I will leave South Sudan if the 28 states are revoked and I will go back to Khartoum and fight for a united Sudan.”  This quote is from an elder who was dispatched around the world to rally the Dinka against the other tribes of South Sudan, saying  the “Jieng liberated South Sudan, so we deserve to be the rulers.”  These are just a few reportedexamples of what the JCEapparently believes and will try to execute if left unchallenged. 

Given the fragility of the current peace agreement and in the interest of the suffering, ordinary citizens of South Sudan, we strongly urge the JCE to desist from advocating policies that threaten the unity of the people of South Sudan and the spirit of nation building.  Above all, with the current positive trend towards formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity and the anticipated return of Dr. Riek to Juba, we call upon the JCE and their supporters to give peace a chance.

Juba/New York, February 23, 2016 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has condemned last week killing of civilians by armed soldiers inside a UN-run camp in Malakal and called on the government of South Sudan to launch an investigation with the help of UNMISS to bring those who carried out the attack to justice.

“[Members of the UN Security Council] called on the Government of South Sudan to swiftly investigate this attack, with the assistance of UNMISS, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” a statement released by UNSC President Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño of Venezuela said.

In the document, the 15-member world body says it is disturbed by credible reports that those who attacked IDPs were in South Sudanese government uniforms.

“The members of the Security Council were particularly alarmed by credible reports of armed men in Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) uniforms entering the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) camp and firing on civilians, and the looting and burning of tents,” the statement added.

The deadly violence left at least 18 people dead, including 2 humanitarian workers. The incident also destroyed 2 medical clinics inside the camp.

Last Friday, the SPLA-IO condemned the killing, saying the attack was “tribally motivated and well-planned and that it has “indisputable evidence” which link Upper Nile State’s Governor, Chol Thon, to the killing. The armed opposition also accused UNMISS of burying its head in the sand while civilians were being slaughtered by government soldiers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, DC, February 24, 2016 (SSNA) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to visit Juba, South Sudan, where he is expected to meet tomorrow with President Salva Kiir and tour a UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) site. The UN chief’s visit comes on the heels of a massacre of civilians last week at another UN protection camp in Malakal, Upper Nile State, in the northeast of the country. News reports indicate that soldiers from government forces, possibly working with militias, may have carried out the attack.

John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, said: "The visit of the Secretary General comes against the backdrop of yet another reminder of the lack of any accountability for serious human rights abuses being committed in war-impacted areas like Malakal.  In the absence of any consequences for the commission of atrocities or the looting of state assets and resources, the cycle of violence will continue.  Even as some positive steps are being taken to implement the August peace agreement, UN Security Council countries and others with leverage should reinforce diplomatic efforts by using financial pressure on those elites and the networks that fund violence."

Brad Brooks-Rubin, Director of Policy at the Enough Project, said: “As South Sudan’s peace process continues to limp along as spoilers continue efforts to delay and derail it, Ban Ki-moon should use his visit to South Sudan to impress upon its politicians the urgent need to respect the terms of the peace agreement, remove all obstacles to its implementation, and form the transitional government as soon as possible.”

About THE ENOUGH PROJECT

The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities. Enough aims to counter rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes that are fueled by grand corruption, transnational crime and terror, and the pillaging and trafficking of minerals, ivory, diamonds, and other natural resources. Enough conducts field research in conflict zones, develops and advocates for policy recommendations, supports social movements in affected countries, and mobilizes public campaigns. Learn more – and join us – at www.EnoughProject.org

Juba, February 26, 2016 (SSNA) -- The World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has excluded the Republic of South Sudan from annual global human development report, the Kenyan-based Daily Nation reported.

The paper stated that Juba has protested how the bank treats the young nation, saying South Sudan has never been rated by the world bank since the world’s youngest country gained independence from Sudan in July 2011.

The annual global human development report, which the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) cannot independently verify, is a comprehensive and detailed document published every year by the UNDP and the World Bank. The report is based on how countries perform in major services that are vital to development. The list of the services that qualify a country to be included in the report includes security, water, education food, nutrition, among others.

“We want to know how our performance compares with those of others and compare with desirable benchmarks. We want to know how we are serving our people in terms of services and many other desirable of attributes in life,” Former finance minister and Presidential adviser Aggrey Tisa Sabuni was quoted by the Daily Nation as saying.

“Not to be reflected in the community of nations in these respects has been disturbing and unwelcoming and shows a sense of global isolation,” Sabuni complained.

The paper also reported that South Sudan’s government blames the its exclusion on “weak institutions” incapable of producing data needed by the World Bank.

Most South Sudanese believe that their violence-ravaged nation is being looted by political elites who care less about their future and development of the country.

New York, February 26, 2016 (SSNA) -- Angola has proposed an arms embargo and asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose it on South Sudan, adding that the community of nations should support its proposal as the situation evolves.

The United Kingdom (UK) supports Angola, saying South Sudanese are suffering and need humanitarian aid.

The move comes as South Sudanese rebel leader indicates his willingness to return to Juba to take up his position as the first vice president of South Sudan.

Angolan Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Ismael Abraao Gaspar Martins asks the UN to do what he described as “necessary,” asserting that the UNSC should support his nation’s proposal.

“Now what is necessary to do is an arms embargo," Angolan Ambassador to the United Nations Ismael Abraao Gaspar Martins declared.

“The situation evolves and you have to evolve with the situation,” Ismael says.

The United Kingdom (UK) has also indicated that it supports Angolan proposal, arguing that half of South Sudan’s population is in need of humanitarian assistance.

“In South Sudan, half the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. It is clear that despite the peace agreement, the continued fighting is further entrenching the humanitarian crisis. That is why the UK is calling for an arms embargo now,” UK’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Matthew Rycroft, said.

On February 19, the UN accused South Sudanese rival leaders of ‘talking peace while killing civilians’. It is not clear what path Russia will choose as it has in the past blocked punitive measures against the young nation, arguing that UN sanctions would simply complicate the ongoing armed conflict.

February 27, 2016 (SSNA) -- Our Community have decided to responses to the following presses [which] were released by people names appearing besides presses titles. So our press is going to consists of three main sections based on authors’ presses and other extra-essential points:

(A) Response to Mr. Wilson Mading Koc press

Mr. Wilson Mading, in your press whom our office did come across on February 2, 2016 at Paanluel Wel website. Before we response to some of your press messages, we would like to associate you with Greater Bor of Bor County, especially; we do base our criteria on the way you have written our name ‘Twi/Twic/Twij’ on your press as ‘Tui’. Anyway, we might be wrong in any imaginable way where you are hailing from yet still the manner you have spelled our people name is relatively likewise the way Bor people write our name Twic as well. In contrast though, we Twi Dinka people write their name as “Boo’ or Buoo’” as our Dialect constitute it. Sorry, if you are truly from Twi Dinka, just forgive us or if not, just forget it.

Another point we would like to reject on your press, is your generalization of Greater Warrap region Dinkas as the only main source of unfortunate reasons that didn’t fair well with Twic East County people in President Kiir Mayardit government. This is not true, because as always we don’t priority generalize of people when it comes to few individuals we know. The only time through any means to seconded generalization is whenever our adversary/adversaries have had started generalize our whole community of Greater Twic East. One example to take, was when current conflict fear high-temperature agitated our neighbor to generalize humble and trusted Twic East community under their undependable word, “rebels". So we just follow suites like our neighbor monopoly of word generalization of whole community of Eastern Twi Dinka.

The point is, Mr. Wilson Mading, we don’t see our exclusion or non-promotions of our officers in military as President Kiir Mayardit problem alone. In any extended of reasoning, He might have part of the game being the leader of everybody, so whoever have done anything wrong against our community from his leadership. He will be accountable for anything wrong because “the buck stop at his desk" as people leader. Within too, any good or bad apple in his leadership, President Kiir Mayardit is responsible for good or bad things as a result of him hiring bad apples that don’t work for people who did elect him to that honorable office. So forget about your generalization of Warrap Dinkas. We do consider as problem that was created by few politicians from Warrap and others. Our community don’t agree with your political standard of monopoly ideal. “Maker Mayom Gurech, Mr. Alier Ateny and three others from Bor County are with SPLM-IO. So why Eastern Twic Dinka people didn't generalize Dinka Bor as 'Rebels'?” By TwicDinka Panda Page Group

Mr. Wilson Mading, the deaths of our honorable son, the SPLM/A long time Chairman and founder of South Sudan, South Sudanese & Sudanese hero or icon, Dr. John Garang e Mabior in his questionable deaths in 2005 through helicopter crash. Compatriot, we know everything, even we know those who been thinking they are hiding his deaths record out of Eastern Twi Dinka people reach. Take this, Mr. Abel Alier from Dinka Bor once time said, “Garang ka ne-e/nek ker momde or nomde-translate to Twi people Dialect". We don’t fear anybody but we don’t want to spill precious bloods of our brothers and sisters because of our Garang e Mabior who have achieved the goal that benefit everyone right now. Even those who used to go against the movement he was leading. Last and not least, Twic people have many unique ways of understanding things differently. So in this case, we know everything folks.

Who are those elements? Well, those who pushed Mr. Kiir are the same people who allows him to created a made up things to cause disagreements between Garang & Kiir [2004]. Those people are puppets of former foes. Dr. John Garang can’t be revenged by anybody from Eastern Twi Dinka due to Dr. John Garang himself says these quotes to Twic people [2004-Panyagor] when CPA has come to completion stage in Kenya: “Twi, yan ci bi tou, baai aca na-e/nak riong"-Panyagor 2004. Dr. John Garang has stated that, “ran ba noe;/nok aci bi kon/kong tiam." So it doesn’t matter to us now because Garang himself was God creator or giver of everything he was stood for his people justice. However, what matter the most at this particular times is to save our nation from extinction by bringing stability, and also to save our people lives. 

1. Mr. Abel Alier from [Dinka Bor] immediately after CPA in 2005, he said to Bor people, “jake baai beer cie cam waa, we Buoo’”. When our son, Dr. John Garang die in questionable helicopter crash, Mr. Abel Alier was commissioned to be head of investigation. Do you know what he had to says afterword, “Garang ka ne-e/nek” kernomde.” Not that only, “many people from Bor County did celebrate his deaths” which is something rarely common within Dinkas’ cultures.  Garang was not a killer, if he was a killer he would have killed many people who have violated SPLM/A manifesto rules through looting or stealing other communities belongings. Among violators, many of them were the same people who documented the SPLM/A manifesto in 1983 when SPLM/A was founded.

2. Mr. Kuol Manyang [Bor County] is the one holding these positions, the Minister of Defense, Deputy Minister of Defense, and many other positions in South Sudan’s government: When he was appointed as Minister of Defense, according to leak source,  Mr. Kuol was refusing to allows anybody to hold deputy Minister of Defense. True or false, we need to dig more on this leak one. Mr. Wilson Mading Koc, “When white army came in waves and captured Bor town in 2013-2014, Brigadiers Kongor Reech, Deng Forty two, and Dhieu Warrabeck, led Brigades and Bor Town was captured from the marauding White army.” This is not true, why? If it was true, those sons of ours should have been granted promotions by Mr. Malual Ayom whom we know as the Commander of Division 8.

3. Mr. Michael Makuei [Bor County]: He and Mr. Malak Ayuen were the first two people to announces on national SSTV that, the Eastern Twi Dinka people are “rebels”. As soon as they said so, their suites were immediately followed by Greater Bor County citizens.

4. Mr. Maker Thiong [Bor County]: He is in Vetting Committee of South Sudan’s government. The main he is there is to not allows any Greater Twic East persons to obtain any Minister positions in South Sudan’s government under Kiir leadership. For now we will not released his records during the movement. Also, we heard him last year talking trash against our Greater Twic East Community in funeral, may be later on on spotlight.

Wages denying to former Jonglei State employees from other communities. Especially those who worked before December 15, 2016 conflict erupted. Among many who have been denying their salaries or wages claimed from our community been told by Bor County that they are “rebels’ and they are not reliable for their salaries or wages raising for those who are still working. This is true story folks. We got people from our Greater Twic East community who were denying their wages or salaries because they are rebels according to Michael Makuei Lueth and cohorts from Bor County.

Furthermore, none-increase of their salaries or raised of our people because everybody from former Jonglei State are being labeled by Bor County’s people as “Rebels”.

Denying of rights to employment in State Jobs, if anyone hails from Eastern Twic Dinka, Duk  Dinkas and Pgi Dinkas. The only people who were entitled for their rights to salaries or pay raises were only from Bor County who are not rebels. “Maker Mayom Gurech, Mr. Alier Ateny and three others from Bor County are with SPLM-IO. So why Eastern Twic Dinka people didn't generalize Dinka Bor as 'Rebels'?” By TwicDinka Panda Group Page

No security forces or polices being deployed to other communities’ areas by former Jonglei State governor who is from Bor County [Mr. Kuol Manyang]. Was intentionally well calculated ideal.

The case of Eastern Twic Dinka officers non-promotions

“All in all Twi people are betrayed under Comrade Salva, in the army for instance officers hailing from Twi are skipped when promotions are made, majority of Twi officers are sent parking and they are visibly young and competent.” The way we percept this message from author, we are little confusing about your intentions here though. But what we know about how military rank hierarchy work, we believe the promotions of officers don’t start from above but from low level of miliary to higher level. So in this case, the blame should start from lower level of military ranks to President Kiir Mayardit.

Likewise, is about who should be promoted and who shouldn’t be promoted to next ranks of military hierarchy after individual or group have achieved a good deeds at battlefields? According to way we understand how military hierarchy work, we think, the promotions of officers do start from lower rank levels to highest ranking levels of military. Successful candidates begins with Divisions lower rank officers to Commanders of Division, General Chief of Staffs office to Defense Ministry office and finally to Commander-in-Chief [President Kiir Office].

Thus, in our views, the skipping of our officers or non-promotions of them in military hierarchy should be blamed on Division 8 leadership. Starting with lower level officers to the highest Commanders in Greater Jonglei region under general command of Mr. Malual Ayom and his deputy Commanders. That is the only way we can put our blame on for time being until we might change later if we get more information about this saga. Based on our knowledge, whoever being reported by Division 8 Commanders or other military branches has to go through the Office of General Staffs, Defense Military before their names reached President Desk for final signature. This is the technique should has to be followed when it comes to military ranks promotions, and not other way. Military rank system link: http://www.militaryfactory.com/ranks/army_ranks.asp

Therefore, if these officers of ours were picked by Division 8 or any other Divisions officers or Commanders to be promoted, and then they were later rejected by President Kiir Mayardit office. Ultimately, your argument author is going to hold some clean water to us, also at the same scheme, we will be satisfied if any Divisions of South Sudan’s military shows us a really paper where our sons and daughters of ours names did appear on President Kiir Mayardit desk.

In any obvious reasons that Mr. President rejected our sons and daughters because they did hail from Eastern Twic Dinka community after they were promoted by their Divisions. Creditably, we will blame President Kiir Mayardit for denying our sons and daughters who have done a fantastic jobs in such way granting them to be promoted to another level of military ranks among their peers. But for now, we will continue to blame any Divisions’ Commanders of South Sudan where our sons and daughters were not promoted. Last and least, we will blame whole thing to President Kiir Mayardit, if we have obtained creditable evidences from Commanders showing that, our sons and daughters were reliably granted by them but President Kiir Mayardit turns them down because they were from Greater Twic East Community.

The issue of Twic East Community omission in 2013 Cabinets allocations

1. Mr. Makeer Thiong who hails from Bor County, the currently Member of Vetting Committee, Jieng Council of Elders in South Sudan’s government plus others from Bor County. These groups were responsible for Greater Twic East and Greater Duk Communities exclusion from being part of South Sudan’s Ministers representations. This scheme was done through scam organization so-called Greater Bor Community. This organization was created as another tricked way to takes advantages of Twic East and Duk peoples as well as to eradicated Twi and Duk people names in History. For example, the organization in outside, it was portrayed to their two neighbors of Twic East and Duk Counties as the only way to get positions from President Kiir Mayardit government. Meanwhile in reality, the inside or dark-side reasons, the Twic East and Duk peoples were being cheated by Bor County politicians. So President don’t bears any blame here in anyway or another. Twic East and Duk Communities should blame themselves for not stand for their own feet and not other fake alliances that always disadvantaged their people. What would be an ultimate solution? Greater Twic East and Duk Communities must start to go directly to President Kiir Mayardit in exclusion of Greater Bor Community of Bor County. Another solution is to have an independent States of Twic East, Duk or one State for these two Counties. Deserting of what-so-called Greater Bor Community of Mr. Michale Makuei Lueth. This is an alarm message to President Kiir Mayardit. He has to gives Twic East and Duk County their own State, fail to do so could create more troubles whom our president be responsible for it.  As we speak, behind close-door, worrisome signs have already emerged over new State of Jonglei. Just a matter of time before they visible to public. For now, we decided not to release Mr. Makeer Thiong records during the SPLM/A movement. 

2. Mr. Michael Makuei, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting is the man behind everything going bad among three sub-tribes of Dinkas in Jonglei. He is well-known by his nickname “Mr. Big Gossipers.” His labeling of our whole Community of Twic East as “Rebels.”

Why Greater Bor Community organization was actually formed?

1. According to Professor Agrey word in 2009 when he visiting the United States of America with former Governor of Jonglei State, Mr. Kuol Manyang. This is what he had to says that time to his really Bor people, “you people of Bor, John Garang has done something we didn’t anticipate from him, by bringing back Twic name through Twic East County and Duk meanwhile meanwhile we as elders of your community we were planing erased names by created by Bor North, Bor Central & Bor South. But, we the elders from Bor are working so hard to clear out Twic and Duk names in existence.”

The man was saying this thinking that the meeting was really attended by Bor Dinka people alone. He didn’t know, the meeting was having people from Eastern Twi Dinka and Duk Dinkas in attendance. After he has said all these things, people start to show some dismays in their faces, the room becomes gloomy and atmosphere starts to changes to uncomfortable zone. When Mr. Kuol who was in attendant see this unfolded hidden agenda being classified by his brother. Mr. Kuol Manyang tries his best to calm everything down, but the damage already been done.

Immediately, after Mr. Agrey [Bor County] and Mr. Kuol Manyang [Bor County] went back to South Sudan from the United States. Thus, in 2010, Mr. Akec Koc [Bor County] becomes South Sudan’s Ambassador to United States of America. The idea of Greater Bor Community organization emerged in 2010 to carry on the agenda of erasing Eastern Twi Dinka and Duk Dinkas [Nyarweng & Hol] names. Also, it was intentionally formed to ripping offs Twic East and Duk Counties of resources or other benefit stuffs too. But, Twic East Community and Duk Community leaders plus their citizens who were active suddenly rejected the idea in 2010 in State of Michigan.

2. Other reason GBC creation was another method to takes advantage of Twic East and Duk Counties when it comes to resources by Bor County. For example, Mr. Michael Makuei residing on top of this Organization was to block Twic and Duk people from gaining any access to president Kiir Mayardit leadership or anyone from these be able to come close President Kiir Mayardit. Cover-up idea, Mr. Makuei would be the only person that will go to President in the name of three Counties visibly but invisibly anything that comes in the name of three Counties would be for Bor County.

3. Mr. Maker Thiong [Bor County] was actually assigned to Vetting Committee of South Sudan government to smeared any intellectuals from Eastern Twic Dinka and Duk Dinkas in such away that wouldn’t  allow them to have any higher positions under President Kiir Mayardit leadership. 

4. GBC was a scam machine behind Twic East and Duk Communities omission in 2013 Cabinet positioning. http://www.southsudannewsagency.com/news/press-releases/the-greater-bor-community-of-the-united-states-criticizes-kiirs-new-government-accuses-him-of

(B) To Borglobe website editor: Mr. Majir Deng Nhial article concerning our presses

Mr. Majur Deng Nhial, you might not knowing that you have belittled Greater Twic East Community sons and daughters under legal authority of Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA. You think you have made critical research yet you fail short trebly in your journalist ethics research. As we speak, we are challenging you to do more research because you accused Mr. Mayak meanwhile he didn’t write any of these presses. All these presses were written by Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA leaderships being led by Twi Engong/Twi-Mathondit, Mr. Agutmanyang, true son of Eastern Twic Dinka who doesn’t depends on other people things.

Mr. Majur Deng Nhial, “Bor Globe Network does have a duty to protect members of Bor Community who are being anonymously attacked by cyber criminals such as Mayak Deng Aruei and Wal Garang Majak...  .” By Majur Deng Nhial [Majur Dengtueny]. Well, you have said it all Mr. Majur, what you said is the same thing Mr. Wan Agutmanyang and his Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA been doing in encountering of your Bor community people like: Jangdit Dengajok aka Mabior Awien, and Arou Bior aka Deng Nyieth. And some politicians from your community like Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth, Maker Thiong and many others. Again, as you have absolutely says it, Mr. Wan and his leadership teams have natural rights as well as you do to protects their leaders, intellectuals, and whole community of Twic East from malicious attacks. For example, most of the presses been released by Mr. Wan leadership over 97% of those presses been encountered attack presses to your community people attacks. Some of noticeable ones are:

(C) Our message to Mr. Mayak Aruai

We know how emotionally you were when you wrote that press of yours published on Paanluel Wel website. Nobody blame you though because you were wrongly accused, our leadership know evidently you were totally smeared by mistake. As an assurance, those presses are ours and we are standby them. Also, you were misinformed by wrong elements about our Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA legitimacy. Frankly, that is totally not true at all due to the Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA was founded by our sons and daughters in 2002 in Commonwealth State of Pennsylvania. Again, the founding cradle location is Pennsylvania State where our organization Lawyer is dwelling right now as we speak. You need prove, please don’t hesitate to reach us through contact at the end of this press. 

Mr. Mayak, we know you, you are a man of integrity, dignity, knowledge, vocal individual, who doesn’t hide your own identity, and trustworthy on your own way. We base this characterization of you on your determination to be one of our sons and daughters who have stood firm against odds that been trying to buried alive our people historical, and the oldest name among Dinkas’ descendant sub-tribes, Twi/Twic/Twij. You and others have been credited by Greater Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA for your ambitious and idea that have allowed you and your brothers and sisters to founded the Twic East Social and Civic Engagement web-site as it is: http://www.twicworld.com/twic-people/.

Another point we want to clarify from you, and others. Mr. Thon Garang is part of Media and Information Team leaders in our office. He is an author of Book [2011] that did shed some lights about our people History. Before he was official elected to Media & Information Team of our Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA. He was known for his God given talents, Advocating for Dinkas’ people History, proprietorship, website designed and other of his God given talents. Some people know him too, through his two nick-names: Maror Diingbol & Garang de Faith & Truth. This Garang de Faith & Truth even did appear on his book of 2011 [Dinkas of Jonglei histories first version that was over 90% errors free, first edition often don’t fulfill everything]. He uses his both nick-names on media like Facebook and others. Mr. Thon Garang is one of the few Mathon/Mawaa’ within Eastern Twi Dinka who doesn’t hide his ancestors’ identity name [Mr. Thon-Makol is like Mr. Wan Agutmanyang and others). He is known for his compassion about his Advocating for Dinkas’ people Histories, and also he always love to stand for his people justice and whoever need justice against odds of injustice without border.  The Red-Army veteran of Dimma. People described him as, “God blessed mind” or “God person” and many others. God gave him mission in-line of Eastern Twic Dinka behind outstanding people like:

About TwicDinka Panda, this page was created by our Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA office of Media & Information to monitor Media world when it comes to what been written about our Community that might be worthy response from our office, and also this page was created as other venue to share any messages concerning our community and need to be known by our citizens around the world.

Finally, no animosity between you and our leadership because you were misinformed about our entity legitimacy. As we speak, our entity is not illegal it is a legal one, period.

Extra-essential Points:

We urgent South Sudanese citizens and our leaderships on both sides to vying for peace of our country to stop bloodshed of innocent people.

We urgent our President Kiir to release our son here if it is true he has been jailed. “When war breaks out in any parts of South Sudan, military officers hailing from Twi would be called to lead the battle. In 2011, when South Sudan clashed with Sudan in Heglig/Panthou a junior officer known as Biar Manyang, a captain in the Military police was sent for a Helicopter to come to Juba and ferry him to the battle field alone. He is said to have been requested by the commando units who were battling Sudan army. Immediately the war was over in Heglig he was arrested, and the vehicle he used was commandeered, by people calling themselves military intelligent officers.” By Wilson Mading Koc

Announcement:

Twic East Community around the world at this critical time, you are being urgent our citizens to come together for our community future. Please, if you are in USA, Canada, Australia, South Sudan and other areas around the globe. Please, join your leadership body there if you have one, and have some kind of brainstorms about Eastern Twi Dinka people wade/wadeng. We need our own State from President Kiir Mayardit and this ideal your efforts an urgent need. We don’t even care about budget if it is a matter of budget in any case President Kiir Administration to be concerned issue. Our office position: http://www.southsudannewsagency.com/news/press-releases/twic-east-community-of-south-sudan-usa-wants-own-state

We need you our citizens to come together, as often nothing impossible if we Eastern Twic Dinka have studied that thing critically as a right thing to do. Even that nation whom we had been wrongly accused by jealousy elements, we can destroy it within short period of time than longer time our own sons and daughters under Dr. John Garang have done it through their blessing minds. Our great, great, grandfather have blessing us long time ago to be the leader of his descendants within Dinkas’ sub-tribes, and that why we have admirable characters that often go along with many. That nobody is going taken away our blessing. Few of those are:

N/B: For people who don’t know anything about Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA. Apparently, the Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA was founded in 2002 in Pennsylvania State by our citizens of Eastern Twi Dinka purposely to serves our community in diaspora and back home in our Twic East area. Jonglei State, South Sudan. It is unfortunate our brother, Mr. Mayak was wrongly advised that, this organization was illegal. That is not true at all. Moreover, the Twic East Community of South Sudan-USA even have it own Lawyer that can deal with any legal issues against it affairs. So this is our message to Borglobe Editor website, Mr. Majur Deng Nhial. Please if you happen to have any legal issues concerning our presses, please don’t hesitate to file any legal grievances against us, and we are ultimately ready to deal with your obligations against our presses.

Thanks our people, God bless

This information was validated by:

Juba, February 28, 2016 (SSNA) -- The United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-wha Kang said she is outraged after visiting a UN-run camp in Malakal and calls for those responsible for killing civilians to face justice.

“I am outraged by what I have seen in Malakal,” Kang said.

Mrs. Kang, who is also Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, admitted that IDPs who live under UNMISS protection were in fact attacked, killed, traumatized, and displaced. She also calls for those who carried out the attack to face justice.

“Those responsible for these heinous acts must be held to account,” she added.

This month, gunmen believed to be government soldiers stormed a UNMISS-run camp, killing at least 18 people, including 2 humanitarian workers. The incident also destroyed 2 medical clinics inside the camp.

South Sudan’s rebels called the attack “tribally motivated and well-planned” and demanded punishment for anyone who participate directly or indirectly in the killing.

Early this week, The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the attack and called on South Sudan’s government to launch an investigation with the help of UNMISS to bring to justice those who carried out the killings.

Pagak/Addis Ababa, February 29, 2016 (SSNA) -- The military command of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) has warned of possible delay of peace implementation, saying Salva kiir government is refusing to designate locations for troops of the armed opposition.

The allegation came days after peace partners indicated willingness to transport rebel forces to in and around Juba.

In a statement, a copy of which was obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA), the rebel military command say peace partners are still working to transport its soldiers and criticizes the way the government is handling the peace process and warns of delay unless provisions in the power-sharing deal are met.

“The peace partners are still on the plan to transport the largest contingents of SPLA/IO forces to Juba but this would not [happen as planned],” SPLA-IO says.

The armed opposition says at least 1370 soldiers of the SPLA-IO are expected to arrive in Juba on or about March 1^st.

However, Pagak says the move is not happening, blaming Juba for the failure and demands that South Sudanese government for not respecting the pact.

“South Sudan government needs to designate clearly the cantonment areas within Juba for the quick transportation of SPLA/IO force right from Airport to the sites,” rebels demanded.

Rebels also demand that they want to know how basic services such as food, water, medical care, and other necessary services will be provided to their forces, adding that the Ethiopian government is also needed to first approve transit process of the rebel light weapons from Pagak and other areas to Juba.

The SSNA understands that the SPLA-IO soldiers will be picked up from rebel outposts to in and around Juba.

Golo/Khartoum, March 1, 2016 (SSNA) --The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed reports by the UN on the number of people who have been displaced by the fighting between the army and rebel forces in Darfur’s Jebel Marra since 15 January. OCHA, the coordinating office of the UN’s humanitarian affairs, reported on Thursday that more than 90,000 people from Jebel Marra are estimated to be displaced by the conflict as of 21 February. ‘This includes 87,500 new internally displaced persons in North Darfur, according to aid organisations, and 2,750 displaced in Central Darfur’, OCHA’s weekly news bulletin read.

The spokesman for the Ministry, Ali El Sadig, said that those figures are “based on verbal and hearsay information” from persons who are not able to reach inner Jebel Marra. According to El Sadig's press statement on Monday, the number of displaced people by the fighting has reached 73,000. He claimed that most have returned to their home villages after the end of the military operations, and that government authorities have provided much humanitarian aid to these returnees. The spokesman added that Khartoum has denied international aid agencies access to the people in the affected areas in order to ensure “the safety of the workers operating at the UN and the humanitarian activists."

The government’s military operations against the rebel SLM-AW stronghold in Jebel Marra have not yet come to an end, although for the first time since 15 January, no Sudanese aircraft were reported above west Jebel Marra for a full day on Sunday. The following morning, residents in the western part of the mountains woke up to loud explosions around Golo, one of them told Radio Dabanga.

Tens of thousands of people who have fled their villages remain trapped in Jebel Marra’s mountain top and caves, and the health situation continues to deteriorate. “There is no adequate supply to treat the newly displaced. More and more children suffer from malnutrition,” a witness from west Jebel Marra said. Diseases such as diarrhoea, flu, and malaria are becoming common. Another concern is that displaced students are unable to sit for their final exams.

Travelling to schools in Nierteti is dangerous because of the closed roads. Militiamen in Golo assaulted and robbed a number of school boys of their belongings on Monday, as they were on their way to sit for the basic stage exams. Several of them have gone missing, their parents told Radio Dabanga on Monday.

World Wildlife Day as Elephants Face Extinction in Bloody Ivory Trade

Washington, D.C., March 2, 2016 (SSNA) -- As tomorrow marks World Wildlife Day, the Enough Project speaks out against the slaughter of wild elephants across Africa. Enough has documented in recent reports an out-of-control ivory trade that is deadly for both elephants and people, and urges support for critical anti-poaching legislation now gaining momentum in the US Senate, following passage of parallel legislation in the House late last year.

In partnership with African Parks, Enough also urgently calls for increased support for park rangers battling to save elephants from increasingly well-organized and heavily armed poaching crews.

Kasper Agger, Field Researcher for the Enough Project based in Central Africa, said: “Some of Africa’s deadliest rebel groups, corrupt officials and criminal gangs are killing elephants at an alarming rate and this iconic species could disappear within just a few decades if left unattended. Park rangers remain the first line of defense and need much greater assistance, including training and material support in their fight against violent poachers.”

Ian Schwab, Director of Advocacy at the Enough Project, said: "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has an opportunity to move forward strong legislation that would protect wildlife and help stop the flow of money and resources to armed groups from elephant poaching and other forms of wildlife trafficking. With committed bi-partisan support in both the House and Senate, this is precisely the type of issue where the American people expect action."

Andrea Heydlauff, Director of Communications, African Parks, said: "African elephants are being targeted increasingly by militarized and well-outfitted poaching gangs across their range. While terrorizing elephants and other species, poachers also wreak havoc on surrounding local communities. In certain cases, park rangers are the only stabilizing force for both wildlife and people."

Holly Dranginis, Senior Policy Analyst at the Enough Project, said: “This legislation would be a game-changer in two of the most intractable crises threatening lives across Central Africa -- brutal armed group violence and the rapid deterioration of some of our most cherished wildlife species. Human security and conservation are inextricably linked. They should no longer be treated by policymakers as on separate tracks. That link has made armed groups stronger and more threatening than ever before, but it also presents an untapped opportunity for effective interventions before it's too late."

Designated by the United Nations, this year’s official theme for World Wildlife Day, “The future of wildlife is in our hands,” places a special focus on elephants. In Africa, wild elephants are facing extinction due to massive poaching by armed groups and a lucrative, criminal trade in ivory that spans the globe.

Sasha Lezhnev, Associate Director of Policy at the Enough Project, said: “Deadly armed groups such as Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, as well as Sudanese and South Sudanese armed factions, rely on poaching and trafficking ivory for ammunition and supplies. But this illegal trade wouldn't be sustained if it weren't for corrupt actors in governments in east Africa who help smuggle the ivory. To combat this, the Obama administration should step up its anti-corruption and customs enforcement efforts on wildlife trafficking in the region.”

Kasper Agger added: “Violent groups like the Lord’s Resistance Army and the Janjaweed, which are responsible for the killing of thousands of innocent civilians and the forceful displacement of populations across Africa, are deeply involved with elephant hunting and illicit ivory trafficking, because of massive profits.  Blood ivory is now a major driver of insecurity across Africa and not only threatens elephants but also directly leads to killings of people.”

In 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3rd, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

RESOURCES:

• Read the Enough Project report “Tusk Wars”: http://eno.ug/1P1rlf2
• Testimony of Sasha Lezhnev, Enough Project Associate Director of Policy, before the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, on the role of the Lord’s Resistance Army in the poaching of elephants: http://eno.ug/1JD4e3E
• Short film “Last Days” by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow: http://eno.ug/1OMQAh2
• Information about UN World Wildlife Day: www.wildlifeday.org

LEGISLATION:

• Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Act - S.2385 (Introduced in Senate): https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2385
• Global Anti-Poaching Act - H.R.2494 (Passed): https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2494

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, +1 310 717 0606, gh@enoughproject.org

About THE ENOUGH PROJECT: The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities. Enough aims to counter rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes that are fueled by grand corruption, transnational crime and terror, and the pillaging and trafficking of minerals, ivory, diamonds, and other natural resources. Enough conducts field research in conflict zones, develops and advocates for policy recommendations, supports social movements in affected countries, and mobilizes public campaigns. Learn more – and join us – at www.EnoughProject.org

About AFRICAN PARKS: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. With currently ten parks under management in seven countries – CAR, Chad, Republic of Congo, DRC, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia - African Parks is protecting more than six million hectares and has the largest counter-poaching force in Africa.  To learn more please visit www.african-parks.org

Enough Project, 1333 H St., NW 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20005 United States.

Juba, March 4, 2016 (SSNA) -- The United Nations (UN) has announced Friday that the killing which was carried out last month by armed men dressed in the SPLA uniforms has claimed at least 25 lives, adding that the massacre also wounded 120 people.

The UN has in past said gunmen who stormed a UNMISS-run camp in Malakal, killed at least 18 people including 2 humanitarian workers and that the incident destroyed 2 medical clinics inside the camp.

The report comes as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), body tasked to investigate the deadly incident released a report, accusing UN peacekeeping forces of failure to protect civilians.

The attack has raised questions whether or not civilians are safe inside UN-run sites.

South Sudanese rebels called the attack "tribally motivated and well-planned."

Press release

March 2, 2016 (SSNA) -- This is a response to the press statement of the so-called “Eastern Nile State Political Activists” published on January 28, 2016 carried a statement by a group of Ngok LualYak Dinka laying outrageous and provocative claim to Chollo (Shilluk) lands on the eastern bank of the White Nile River. The purpose of this statement is really not to engage in a tit-for-tat rebuttal with this group of Nyok Dinka regarding their claim, both because everyone knows this claim is completely fabricated and because Chollo people have sufficiently addressed this matter previously on the basis of the histography, geography and demography of South Sudan that has been documented since the colonial times. It is rather to analyse the political circumstances in the country that has led to this claim. In this respect the claims should be discussed in the present context of social, economic and political engineering of South Sudan as a nation-state, and the emergence of Dinka ethnic nationalism as a prominent political force under the leadership of General Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The Padang Dinka, to which belongs the Ngok Lual Yak sub clan, comprise small isolated clans inhabiting isolated territories of land stretching from Abyei through Unity state, northern Jonglei state to Abailang in Renk in northern Upper Nile state. Their other tribesmen and clans, particularly the Rek in Warrap and Awiel, the present Jieng power house, vaguely were aware of their existence until the power shifted from Bor to Bahr el Ghazal. That explains why some of them were murdered in Juba alongside the Nuers in December 2013. 

The Jieng is the largest single group in South Sudan, but not the majority. In the war of national liberation, they contributed in terms of human resources proportionate to their demographic weight. This has now become the basis of the claim by the Jieng political elite to monopolize power and wealth of South Sudan. This became apparent immediately following the tragic death of Dr. John Garang de Mabior and ascension to the helm of the SPLM leadership and the Government of Southern Sudan of General Salva Kiir Mayardit. 

The conspiracy to dispossess Chollo of the ancestral lands on the eastern bank of the White Nile River started as early as 2006 driven by two powerful Padang ministers in the GOSS in the context of a Padang State encompassing Abyei, Ruweng, Pawiny-Luach, Ngok, Dongjol, Nyiel, Ager and Abailang, when the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in Sudan rejected the Abyei Border Commission (ABC)’s Report, which prompted the sojourn to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. The NCP intransigence to grant recognition to the Abyei case energized the Padang and their pressure on Salva Kiir to decree the Padang imaginary State. The awarding of Obango as the mutual headquarters of the Paweny-Lauch (Khorflus) County in April 2009, the creation, without warrants of establishment, of the so-called Pigi (Jonglei) and Akoka (Upper Nile) Counties were steps in the construction of Padang dream State.

The Padang State would be such a large territory that the combined population of these clans would require augmentation from other populous areas like Gogrial, Awiel, and Bor, where there is a combination of demographic, ecological and security concerns which would prompt mass migration to this vast land after the forceful eviction of the Chollo to west bank. It is therefore a matter of land grabbing. This has been rendered feasible by the kleptocratic regime erected by Salva Kiir dominated by the Warrap-Awiel mafia with its mouny-jiang ideology.  

The mouny-jiang ideology postulates Jieng complete domination of South Sudan political and economic power. This had been echoed by Ustaz Bona Malwal Madut, that the Dinka fought for Southern Sudan; therefore it is their right to rule for the next one hundred years. In this context, Salva Kiir rendered the state institutions dysfunctional to enable the JCE to loot the financial and economic resources until the country has become bankrupt. He had to unleash war first against the Nuer and then against all the other ethnicities after first neutralizing or enlisting their support (Chollo). The civil war has colonial occupation characteristics reflected in the EO 36/2015 establishing 28 states that awards the Dinka 42% of the land area of South Sudan. 

The alliance between the Dinka political military elite, the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) and their parasitic capitalist class is the driver of the political instability in South Sudan that has rendered our masses pawns in this ethnicized political game. This conspiracy to dispossess the Chollo has connections to the quest for land for large scale capitalist agricultural investment. The presence of the Nile and the Sobat make a good combination for irrigated agricultural production in crop and modern animal husbandry. 

This demonstrates that the Ngok Dinka and their Padang clans are completely oblivious of the repercussions of this conspiracy against the Chollo as also a conspiracy against them by their elite. They have been ensnared into conflict with the Chollo with whom they have lived peacefully for more than two hundred years. Only peaceful co-existence could provide a firm basis for the building of the nation-state in South Sudan.

The Establishment Order Number 36/2015 dividing South Sudan into 28 states was the embodiment of President Kiir’s connivance with Ngok Dinka of Upper Nile and other sections of the Dinka to use state authority, military and other resources to annex the lands of Chollo and other tribes to his Dinka tribe. It is a well-coordinated conspiracy planned at the level of the so-called Jieng (Dank) Council of Elders.  This ill-advised tribal conspiracy is meant to establish Dinka dictatorship and dominion over other South Sudanese tribes.

The focus and thrust therefore should be to defeat the unconstitutional EO 36/2015 with its 28 states and focus on the implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. This is our response to the Ngok group.

Signed by Concerned Chollo:

Juba, March 7, 2016 (SSNA) -- Human Rights Watch has said South Sudan’s government troops have expanded their abuses by carrying out numerous killings, rapes, enforced disappearances, and other serious human rights violations in Equatorial region.

Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement published on the HRW website that both government and rebel forces have committed atrocities in the west of the country.

“As South Sudan’s fighting has shifted west, so too have the atrocities by government forces and rebel groups. South Sudan’s leaders should put a stop to all abuses,” Bekele said.

Bekele also calls on the UN Security Council to an arms embargo and urges African Union (AU) to establish war crimes court so that those who committed crimes should be punished.

“Both an arms embargo and an effective war crimes court are also crucial to help stem the abuses and send a message that the crimes will be punished,” he urges.

“Rather than seeing improvements following the peace agreement, we are seeing continuous attacks on civilians and other abuses carried out with impunity. It is high time the AU and the UN act, by moving forward with the hybrid court and implementing the long-threatened arms embargo,” Bekele added.

HRW further revealed that its researchers were in Western Equatoria last month and found that Juba-backed soldiers systematically target non-Dinka local armed groups, civilian areas, burned and looted homes, and arbitrarily detained summarily executed people.

TO: Hon. Philip Aguer Panyang, Governor of Jonglei State

FROM: Twic East Community Representatives

DATE: March 5th, 2016

Dear Hon. Governor Philip Aguer,

March 7, 2016 (SSNA) -- On behalf of Twic East Community in South Sudan, East Africa, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, and across the globe, we are here to declare the pull out of Twic East County from the Government of Jonglei State. All civil servants from Twic East County serving in the Government of Jonglei State, including the newly appointed Minister of Local Government, Hon. Dut Achuek Lual, Advisor on Economic Affairs, Hon. Diing Akol Diing, Technical Advisor on Land and Survey, Hon. John Amuor Kuol, and all State MPs from Twic East County are asked by Twic East citizens to resign immediately. This decision was triggered by the unfair distribution of Jonglei State MPs and cabinet ministers and many other grievances.

As you know, Twic East County is a peace loving community. We believe that people of South Sudan are bound by principles and not by blood. Therefore, fairness and equality shall be the basis of our strength and togetherness in respect to nationality, culture, religions, tribes, beliefs, gender, age, disability, and political ideals. These principles are core values of the SPLM and they are your vision as the new Governor of Jonglei State. They are also shared values amongst South Sudanese people. They fall within the boundary of the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan. Based on these principles, we, the people of Twic East are and will always continue to support the SPLM vision under the leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit.

The rationale behind the establishment of 28 states as articulated in the Presidential Decree No. 36/ 2015 is clear. It is intended as the basis of taking the town closer to the people, jump start development and promote equal fair sharing amongst South Sudanese people. This includes balance of power, justice and equality in order to execute nation-building objectives.

Despite all these, Bor County Community or Greater Bor Community failed to understand and abide by the codes of good governance. They view the new Jonglei State as an opportunity to dominant majority Dinka Twic and Duk communities in all public sectors in the form of a fictionally disputed 2008 census that gave Bor County a population of 221,000. Out of Bor County’s population, 106, 000 was from Bor Town and the other estimated 30, 000 troops were from Pariak and Panpandiar. These areas were densely populated by Nuer, Murle, Twic, Duk, Pigi, Anyuak, Jie, and Kachipo communities. Bor, Twic and Duk are the only remaining communities in the new Jonglei State. In this scenario, the estimated population of 136,000 does not belong to Bor County. Therefore, it is unfair and unjustified for Bor County to claim the disputed 2008 census as the best model for allocation of the State seats.

The repercussion of failure to preserve the principles of good governance in the State of Jonglei enforced by Bor County Community has resulted in Twic East Community consensus to pull out from your administration. This letter is a response of the Twic East Community against this injustice and inequality. The letter is presented in four major categories. This includes topics related to unfair distribution of State MPs and Cabinet ministers, population, Greater Bor, and resolutions. These topics are analyzed in a case-by-case narrative explaining why Twic East Community is distancing itself from the crisis of Jonglei State.

The Unfair Distribution of State MPs and Cabinet Ministers

The unfair distribution of State MPs and Cabinet ministers was one of the first injustice and inequality that became instantly visible in the new Government of Jonglei State. When His Excellency, President Salva Kiir Mayardit dissolved the nation’s 10 regional states and created 28 new states in October of 2015, the egotistical self-appointed Greater Bor Community (GBC) leader and the South Sudan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth wasted no time in calling all the GBC members to discuss the gubernatorial nomination process. The meeting took place in the country’s capital, Juba.

In that meeting, it was decided that the Governor of new Jonglei State will come from Twic East County as Duk and Bor counties have had their fair share of governing in the previous administration. Hon. Makuei, in an interview on state-owned SSTV, said “we have told the people of Twic East community to go and sit, discuss and come up with the list of nominees to be vetted by the community of the state.” As prescribed by Hon. Makuei, community leaders and members from Twic East County met and agreed that each Payam shall bring an electable candidate that will contest for the state highest chair. Four out of five Payams of Twic East County except Kongor expressed interest in the position.

The race for the governorship set off right away with Ajuong Payam primaries. The then SPLA Spokesman (you), won the hearts of Ajuong community members over Peter Dut Kezekiah, Machar Akech, and the Twic East MP, Hon. Deng Dau Deng. Your win in your own Payam was a feather in the hat that gave you the momentum to compete with other contenders. You went on to compete and also won over candidates from Nyuak Payam, Hon. Dut Achuek Lual, Pakeer Payam, Hon. Ateng Amos Agok and Lith Payam, Hon. Dr. Dau Aleer Abit.

The Twic East Community leadership then presented their best three candidates, Col. Aguer, Mr. Ateng Amos and Mr. Dut Achuek Lual to the GBC leadership for scrutiny before their names could be forwarded to the President to appoint the best candidate. When the news broke confirming you as the new Governor of Jonglei State, the citizens were all walking on air. The celebration first started in the country’s capital, Juba and the phenomenon metastasized all over Jonglei State. The feeling was nothing short of God’s grace flowing through one’s veins. You received the red-carpet treatment from celebrants in Juba and in the state capital, Bor Town. Worth mentioning is that you had the blessing of having Hon. Gen. Kuol Manyang and Hon. Makuei Lueth danced for you during your inauguration celebration. Hon. Kuol and Makuei never dance for anybody, not even for their boss, his Excellency Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit when he was elected president of the Republic of South Sudan let alone during CPA and when South Sudan was recognized the world’s youngest nation.

Your nomination to governorship has resuscitated hope among Jonglei citizens. Many people were hoping that your prior store of lifetime experiences and your level of education would make you a good leader compare to your predecessors. Unfortunately, this hope was crushed by your formation of an imbalanced cabinet and unfair distribution of State MPs. Honorable Governor, without a reticent bone in your body, awarded seven (7) out of thirteen (13) cabinet seats to Bor County. These key positions include, Deputy Governor, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Minister for Education and Gender, Minister for Health, Political Affairs Advisor, and Revenue Authority Commission Chairperson. The remainders of the seats were divided in the ratio 4:2 between Twic East and Duk counties respectively. For Bor County to be the majority in the cabinet was not a surprise as they have been the majority in previous administration of Hon. Philip Thon Leek and Hon. Gen. Kuol Manyang.

While it is the Governor’s liberty to nominate any capable talent to his cabinet irrespective of their numbers and where they come from, it is also equally important that the cabinet reflects diversity and not a one-county cabinet as it has been the case with previous Governments and the current one. It is ironic for you as a Governor who is highly revered mostly for your fairness and whose campaign mantra has been about fair distribution of resources, peaceful co-existence, security and road building to form a cabinet that is in the likeness of your predecessors. It is also completely unfathomable how you, a Governor who promised change during his quest for governorship could re-appoint the same people who have been in the State Government since CPA implementation and yet hope to build roads, health clinics, schools, and generate revenues. What specific skills do these people have that make them indispensable that you cannot risk trying new blood, new faces or give the cabinet majority to another county besides Bor? The sad reality is that these people have no skills at all and nobody will ever know what cowed you, the highly respected leader to do this.

After the creation of 28 states, 7 additional MPs were added, making a total of 21 MPs in new Jonglei State. In the former Jonglei State, Bor County had eight (8) MPs, Twic East with four (4) MPs and Duk with 2 MPs. Using the inaccurate disputed 2008 census as a guide to distribute the additional State MPs, GBC leadership and you divided them in the ratio of 4:2:1 among Bor, Twic and Duk counties in that order. The total number of State MPs for Bor County has now become 12, Twic East with 6 MPs and Duk with 3 MPs. It is beyond imagination what made you, the knowledgeable Governor to fail simple arithmetic of dividing Parliamentary Seats in a fair manner. Instead of striking a happy medium by dividing the additional MPs between Twic and Duk counties in the ratio of 3:4 respectively since they were under represented in the previous Parliament, you went on to give Bor County 4 more MPs that they do not need. Hadyou divided the additional MPs as suggested above, Bor County would have 8 MPs, Twic East with 7 MPs and Duk with 6 MPs, and nobody would have complained. Another solution to this issue would have been to give each county 7 MPs until a credible census is collected.

The number of Ministers and State MPs given to Bor County are out of all proportion to what can be justified as being fair and impartial. There has never been a time in the history of Sudan and South Sudan that the population of Bor (current Bor County) was more than the people of Twic (current Twic East County). There is no clear explanation as why Bor has been and currently is the majority in the State cabinet and the State Legislative Assembly other than greed and egocentricity. The way things stand with Bor County having 12 MPs in the State Parliament and in control of the cabinet, it is fair to say that Bor will be governing in all but name in Jonglei, which will likely put the already troubled relationship of the three counties more on the fritz.

Honorable Governor, you are not a new face to public service. You worked with displaced people mostly from Jonglei in the mid-late 1990s. People you worked for described you as a homely man of towering intellect and the integrity of a Christian saint, the unmistakable largeness in your character, your innocence of a dove, fair and open mindedness, and hardworking were amongst your other great qualities that caught your former boss, Dr. John Garang’s attention to appoint you to work with displaced civilians. You have also been described as dependable and straight in times of testing. You are credited for serving many lives in the 90’s through your fair food distribution. Your humanitarian work experiences carried you to your current rank in the army and to being the SPLA spokesman. With all these experiences, why do you allow injustice and inequality in the State of Jonglei Government? In this token, people of Twic East would like to reiterate to you that we are extremely disappointed in your lack of diversity in distribution of State MPs and Cabinet ministers. We will not be part of the Jonglei State Government until justice and equality is served. We have counted the cost of the steps that we have taken as well as the fearsome price of those we are about to take and we are prepared to bear without hesitation. In dissolving the newly formed cabinet and State Parliament and form a Government that reflects fair distribution of power among the three counties of Jonglei State, the people of Twic East will accept this as a material representation of your apology and gesture of summoning back your wisdom and compassion to resolve this matter.

Population

The disputed 2008 population census of Bor County is also one of the many challenges facing the people of Jonglei State. It is constantly cited by Bor County Community as a model for the State Seats allocation. This population has become a source of problem in which the Bor County Community based their argument to secure more Seats in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly to dominate state policy making in order to fulfill their community interest and intimidate other communities. Bor County is interested to take advantage of this population census that undermines the Twic and Duk communities. They claim that they are the majority in this fictionally disputed census that gave Bor County a population of 221,106, Twic East County with 85,349, and Duk County with 65,588. The fact is that the census being used by the new Government of Jonglei State in compliance with Bor County interest does not serve justice and equality. First, it has no legal base in the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan as the President of the Republic and the South Sudan National Legislative Assembly nullified this census in its entirety (Fick, 2009).

Second, the population of Bor Town, Pariak, Panpandiar and other military bases were included in the Bor County population. In this population census, Bor Town was 106,000 and the other towns were approximately 30, 000 military personnel. If you add these two numbers and subtract them from 221,000, you will find that the estimated accurate population of Bor County is 85,000. These areas were largely occupied by Nuer, Anyuak, Murlei, Jie, Kachipo, Twic, Duk, and Pigi. All communities in this population census except Twic, Bor and Duk are no longer part of the new Jonglei. Therefore, the disputed 2008 population census must not be used by Bor County to dominate the State decision. This also explains that Bor County has fraudulent tactics to divert the State resources into their own pockets. As a victim of this fraudulence intention, it is our recommendation to investigate the ring leaders pushing this agenda of division and use the law to hold them accountable for their actions.

In another perspective, it is unfair and an insult to the entire residents of old Jonglei state to hear that Bor County brought down the new Jonglei State to its knees because of consistent use of relocated population to deceive the other two communities in the allocation of resources.

Twic East community strongly disagrees and condemns the use of the disputed 2008 census as a model for the State Seats allocation. It is totally unfair and unjustified to use the population of Bor Town, Pariak, Panpandiar and other military bases to inflate and elevate the total population of Bor County. This is like giving Bari the whole population of Juba just because it is their town. The 2008 census was rejected by the Government of South Sudan and it should not be used to allocate resources whatsoever in South Sudan. According to the takeaways from the 2008 census, there were general consensuses that the major urban centers (cities) that were hosting capital were more populated then the rest of the towns in the country. This was a fact documented and using shrew tactics to get the lion share of the state resources is totally unacceptable.

As the people of Jonglei, we believe that fairness can take us far and have the potential of unifying us to advance the work of developing our State in unison. However, if focus is solely on who needs to get the lion’s share as the basis of taking the town closer to the people, we might as well declare that Twic East is the majority in the disputed 2008 census and it should receive the lion’s share in this perspective. The Figure 1 below illustrates the disputed population census of 2008.

Population: 2008 Disputed Census

Bor County Twic East County Duk County

18%

23%

59%

Figure 1. Source: South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics [Bor County: 221,106; Twic East County: 85,349; Duk County: 65,588]

In the above disputed population census of 2008, Bor County was 221,106 or 59% of the total population of the three counties. Twic East County was 85,349 or 23% and Duk County was 65,588 or 18%. The total population of these three counties was 372,043. Bor County was leading in population. However, in contrast, this does not mean Bor has reproduced more people and therefore, they are more in number than Twic or Twic and Duk combined. History can anchor this. It is Twic that is the largest Dinka community in Jonglei State. Based on our community database where Twic reside, the accurate estimated total population of Twic is 200,000. Over 58% of this population lives in Equatoria, East Africa, Bor Town, U.S.A, Canada, Australia and Europe. According to the Upper Nile Province Handbook (1931), the population of Twic Dinka (East) was 17,728, whereas the population of Bor was 16,846 and Duk was over 6000 in the 1930s. The disputed 2008 census is the only single census that Bor leads over the Twic population.

In a perspective view of accuracy, if the above population of three counties in 2008 is adjusted based on county, then the population of Bor County shrinks significantly and Twic East County slightly takes the lead. One must account for the military bases in and around Bor County which according to estimates stands at around 30,000 plus the census of Bor Town at 106,000 equating to 136,000. Let’s not forget that Bor Town is the capital city of Jonglei and hence other tribes within old Jonglei were living there and were counted during the census. The Figure 2 below illustrates how we come into this conclusion.

Population: 2008 Disputed Census Adjustment

Duk County 28%

Bor County 36%

Twic East County [PERCENTAG E]

Figure 2. Adjusted estimated population: [Bor County: 85,000; Twic East County: 85,349; Duk County: 65,588]

In this scenarios, accounting for the adjustment of Bor Town and the military bases population of 136000, the total percentage to the whole population of Bor County changed by 62%. The adjusted population of the 3 counties constitutes 85,106 or 36% for Bor County, Twic East County for 85,349 or 36.2%, and Duk County for 65,588 or 27.8%. Therefore, if the distribution of resources is based on the disputed 2008 census, then Bor County is not qualified to take more Seats than Twic East County in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly. It should be the Twic East community that should be allocated more Seats in the Parliament of Jonglei in this perspective because of its population in the diagram. Bor Town must stand alone as its population census comprises of everyone from all the remaining three counties. In this case, Bor Town must have a lion’s share in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly and all seats allocated to Bor Town should be shared equally among the residents in respect to these three counties.

In another view, if Bor County still insists on this adjusted population that their population is still bigger than the Twic East County population, then add the population of Twic East County of 85,349 and Duk population of 65,588, and you will find a sum of 150,937. In this sense, the population of Bor County is less than a sum of two counties of Twic East County and Duk County. Therefore, Twic East County and Duk County population should have the lion’s share in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Bor County included the population of Bor Town in its jurisdiction, took 12 MPs and 54% of ministerial positions, divided them by its five Payams, and gave Bor Town no seats. Logically, that is morally wrong. This proves that Bor County has an unpredictable intention against the State of Jonglei, and Twic East County must stay out of that mess by pulling out from Jonglei

Government until justice and equality in distribution of resources is prevailed. The following formula was used to arrive at this conclusion.

Disputed Bor County Population = DP Adjusted Bor County Population = AP Bor Town Population plus other military bases = BT Bor County = Adjusted Bor County Population Bor County (AP) = DP – BT

➢ Bor County: [221,106 – (106,000 + 30,000)] adjust to 85,106 which translate to [85,106/236,043]*100% equal 36% ➢ Twic East County: [85,349/236,043]*100% equal 36.2% ➢ Duk County: [65,588/236,043]*100% equal 27.8%

In order to resolve the current impasse in the State of Jonglei, we believed that creating a fair formula to distribute power can solve this issue of population and disregard the mudslinging of any county. You, the Hon. Governor of Jonglei State and your new found elite that are not interested in developing the state could have thought about the distribution of MPs and cabinet better than what has been advanced so far. All this would do is introducing of mistrust and hatred among our people and we cannot afford to travel on this kind of road. The summary of Twic East’s proposed equitable distribution is depicted in Table 1.

Table 1

Twic East’s Proposed Equitable Distribution

Current County

Payam MP Cabinet Bor County 5 7 2 Twic East County 5 7 2 Duk County 6 7 2 Grand Total 16 21 6

Greater Bor

It becomes clear that Greater Bor has played a major drawback in the current crisis in Jonglei State. It has been proven to be a tool used by Bor community to confuse the entire population of Twic East and Duk Counties with the purpose to achieve their domination agenda. To make matters worse, the leader of this unrecognized organization of Greater Bor put himself in the decision making process between the Jonglei State Government and the Central Government in Juba. He and many other Bor community leaders confused you, the new Governor of Jonglei State who hailed from Twic East with the expression, “atom a wen Athouda”, meaning yes indeed, our daughter, Athou gave birth to him.

Therefore, your ability to make your own decision on how to run the state affairs is constantly being overshadowed by leaders of Greater Bor or Bor County. This unknown organization has recently emerged from the middle of nowhere and hijacked the history of Jonglei Dinka and destroyed it in its entirety. This organization that you associated yourself with and report to instead of reporting to the President of the Republic, has dramatically failed your Government. Greater Bor is a controversial name that does not unify the three counties of Jonglei State. It must not be used as a model to allocate political posts. Unfortunately, in this case, it was secretly used by the new Government of Jonglei State as one of the models to allocate State MP seats and Cabinet. Bor County and you, the Governor may deny the use of this model, but the application of it is seen in giving Twic an equal number of seats as Athoc or Gok. In fair distribution, Twic East County should have more or equal number of seats to Bor County; not just one section of Bor. Twic East Community in South Sudan and around the world is angered by these unethical behaviors and reject and denounce this unknown organization for the following reasons:

First, Greater Bor is not officially recognized by Twic East Community because nobody clearly understands how it comes to its existence and what its mission is. It is not a political party, state, constituency, tribe or region. It is also not a county as Jonglei State only has three counties, namely Twic East, Bor and Duk. There is no Greater Bor payam or boma either. It has no legal jurisdiction in the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan to meddle in the affairs of Jonglei State. According to the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, a Governor reports to the President. Unfortunately, we have learned that you first report to Greater Bor Chairman and then Greater Bor Chairman reports to the President of South Sudan. That structure undermines the power of the Governor vested in the Constitution. Like previous Governors such as Gov. Philip Thon Leek, Gov. Kuol Manyang and Gov. John Kong, it is our recommendation for you to consult all three county community leaders in decision making process and report directly to the President of the Republic of South Sudan, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit; not the Chairman of Great Bor. Great Bor is just a very divisive entity that was introduced by interest groups in 2010 as an ad hoc strategy to marginalize and promote a domination agenda of Bor County against Twic and Duk. Since the formation of this divisive organization, all three counties were left in a state of confusion. They were not involved to create a unify name for three counties. Many people from Twic East wonder what the Greater Bor is and who authorized them to represent Twic East in the Government of South Sudan. Precisely, the intention of Greater Bor is to change Twic East and Duk counties’ administrative names and replace them with unwanted names of Bor County such as Bor Central and Bor North. This is seen by Twic East as an absurd idea and an unacceptable. Twic East Community position is crystal clear. Any implementation of this idea has severe consequences.

Second, Greater Bor does not represent all three counties of Jonglei. It is the name of Bor community that is not accepted by Twic East Community. In other words, Twic East and Duk have nothing to do with this divisive name. We believe in co-existence as Jieng De Jonglei or Jonglei Dinka in three counties with their respective names in their geographical areas. In this sense, we are Dinka Twic; not Dinka Bor as miscommunicated by Bor County. Bor belongs to Athoc and Gok in Bor County, whereas Twic belongs to Lith, Ajuong and Pakeer in Twic East County. Duk County belongs to Nyarweng and Hol. The book of The Upper Nile Province HandBook: A report on peoples and Government in the Southern Sudan by Willis (1931) proved this case. According to Willis (1931), the Dinka sections in current Jonglei State were: Bor, Twic, and Duk. These sections were further divided into seven major sub-sections. Bor was divided into Athoc and Gok. Twic was divided into Pakeer, Ajuong and Lith, and Duk was comprised of Nyarweng and Hol (Willis, 1931). These seven major sub-sections of these three Dinka communities are still existed today in Jonglei State. These people are collectively called Dinka of Jonglei. However, Greater Bor has its own definition of these communities. Without the knowledge of Twic East Community, it included Twic in its campus and then it regrouped these seven sections into five sections of Athoc, Gok, Twic, Nyarweng, and Hol and named them the Greater Bor or Bor. In this grouping, Greater Bor has reduced the three sections of Twic East to only one section. In this scenario, Twic East is the minority in Greater Bor representation, whereas it is the majority in population and sections. If Greater Bor was the agreed representational institution, then it should have all seven sections of three counties presented and promote an equal share of public resources. This is not the case. We understand that this was intentionally done by Bor politicians to retain power of their county over the other counties, with the reason to remain as an overall dominant in decision making and intimidation. It is an insult to Twic East Community to remain under an organization that undermines its future.

Furthermore, the application of Greater Bor and its negative consequences were seen in the allocation of State MPs and Cabinet ministers. We have seen and learned greatly about the negative impact of Greater Bor or Bor County through the formation of this new Government of Jonglei State. As mentioned earlier, we discovered that Bor County and you, the Governor used this marginalization strategy by giving Athoc six MPs, Gok with six MPs, Twic with six MPs, and Duk with 3 MPs, whereas you and Bor are using population census as the means of convincing the general public that Bor people has a larger population than Twic and Duk combined. In fact, you and Bor brought Twic to the level of the Athoc or Gok mini-section. This also explains why Bor County claims to have the lion’s share in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly. It increases the number of Bor sections’ representatives to 12 MPs and makes them the majority in the Parliamentarian seats. Twic East Community was and is aware of Greater Bor’s direction. We were aware that there will be suppression of the relationship within these three communities because of the hidden agenda by Bor County that are now surfacing. Twic East Community denounced Greater Bor as one of the most divisive organizations that no one in Twic or Duk should associate him or herself with. As Dr. Martin Luther King stated, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This intentional domination of Bor County is a threat to justice among the Twic and Duk people in Jonglei State. With this mistrust in mind, if Bor law makers are the majority in the Parliament of Jonglei State, one can predict that they can introduce any controversial bill that can be against the other communities, but interested to them and passed into law without challenge. That serves no justice to Twic East and Duk and must be rejected at all cost. Without fair representation in the Government of Jonglei State, the union of Bor, Twic and Duk has no substance. It shall be dissolved once and for all and restructured. There is much at stake at this junction to bear with. Aggressive Bor County domination in the State Parliament and the looming lack of trust among the people of Jonglei State explained it all and we, the people of Twic East cannot afford to deal with these shameful behaviors. This is why Twic East is pulling out from your Government.

Twic East Community’s Final Resolutions

Unborn children will read our history in the State of Jonglei and will realize that too much had been at stake and that generations fought hard too long in order to breakdown imaginary walls, lay a strong foundation for a fair and just society and the stake could not be any higher than presently. Inscribed in the South Sudan coat of arms is Justice, Liberty and Prosperity in the presidential seal yet those words are being tamper with by the newly shaped State of Jonglei.

Few people around Juba and in Bor Town from Bor County Community are out to reintroduce marginalization in the form of the unfair distribution of state resources, unfair distribution of MPs in the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly and Cabinet ministers, and unapproved use of a disputed 2008 census and meddling of unrecognized organization of Greater Bor as a shrewd tactic to undermine and justified the unjustifiable. The writings on the wall are very clear to the counties of Twic East and Duk. Our very own son Dr. John Garang and the generation before him had to deal with this constantly and that is why Garang allowed the creation of Bor, Twic East and Duk counties respectively to put to rest the overreach and attempt to dismantle the very existence of Twic East. Even those of late Akuot Atem, late Elijah Malok Aleng, late Mading Garang and all other past politicians can attest to this if they were alive.

The constant wrangling and now resorting to unhealthy tactics to use you, our son and the Governor of Jonglei State to execute the desires of belittling and marginalizing using false pretense to set a precedence is just illogical at its best and does nothing but elevate the longstanding political discontent among our people. All these does is uncover the disease of history and encourage division, undermining hope and the promises of tomorrow.

Across South Sudan and indeed in the state of Jonglei, future generations to come will not remember us for how we killed each other and not even by how we divided ourselves along tribal lines but they will remember us by the foundation we built together as people of one land guided by the principle theme of One People, One Nation. With that in mind, thoughtless actions take people back to the old instead of forward and at this juncture our people need hope and we can make choices and decisions to not sit idly by and do nothing as negative forces mindset inherit the promises. We, the people of Twic East County have reached a global consensus and resolutions on our ways forward to provide more feasible solutions in resolving this nightmare:

• First Resolution: If there is no fair distribution of State MPs and cabinet ministers, Twic East County will not be part of the Government of Jonglei State. However, in dissolving the newly formed cabinet and State Parliament and form a Government that reflects fair distribution of power among the three counties of Jonglei State, the people of Twic East will accept this as a material representation of your apology and gesture of summoning back your wisdom and compassion to resolve this matter.
• Second Resolution: Twic East County’s administration must not report to Jonglei’s Administration until this crisis is addressed. In the meantime, the Twic East Community will ask for a decision and direction from the President of the Republic of South Sudan, His Excellency, Lt. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit to where Twic East County should be administered.
• Third Resolution: We are calling all recent appointed State MPs to the Jonglei State Legislative Assembly, and Cabinet ministers and advisors, including civil servants from Twic East County to pull out and resign immediately.
• Fourth Resolution: Instructing all Twic East Community leaders in Greater Bor to dissolve their structures.
• Fifth Resolution: Recommending that you should ask for help from the Government of South Sudan to investigate the current crisis in Jonglei State.
• Sixth Resolution: If your gut tells you that you are not capable to make your own decision on how to run the state affairs by promoting equal share distribution of State resources and your decision can be overshadowed by leaders of Bor or Greater Bor, it is worth meaning that you should resign.

In summary, the purpose of this letter is to bring equality and fairness in the State of Jonglei. People of Twic East proposed that each of the three counties should have 7 MPs and 2 Ministers regardless of their population size. Bor community and your actions are against this unity proposal. Bor County community leaders and you brought this State to its knees. The unfair distribution of State MPs and cabinet ministers, use of the disputed 2008 census as a model for allocation of political seats, and misclassification of Twic identity as Bor and misrepresentation of Twic in the egotistical self-appointed Greater Bor Community are great sources of why Twic East decided to pull out from your Government. In this event of no equality and many dysfunctional behaviors committed by Bor against Twic and Duk, the union of these three counties must be dissolved. The people of Twic East County have rejected and distanced themselves from the Government of Jonglei State and Bor’s intention to dominate Twic and Duk.

Sincerely,

Signed by Twic East Community Representatives:

Enclosure: #

Nairobi, March 7, 2016 (SSNA) -- SPLM chapter in Kenya last Saturday elected new Country coordinator and deputy coordinator.

The Kenyan-based chapter elected its new leadership in a successful function chaired by its outgoing coordinator, Hon. Mary Nyabeil Simon, supervised by Amb. Lam Chuol Jock, acting head of mission in Kenya, Justice Simon Maar Reath, council’s members voted Hon. Jago Adongjak as coordinator, and Hon. Anne Nyahok as deputy.

The election which was conducted on Saturday morning was heavily attended by SPLM council’s members who successfully voted for their leaders and witnessed them sworn in at same function.

Members from Justice’s National committee led By Justice Simon Maar Reath presided over the swearing ceremony.

In a press statement sent to media houses, the chapter’s information secretary, Aborcup J. Akuer Maze, praises the process and calls it “democratic”.

“The process of Hon. Jago Adongjak and his deputy, Anne Nyahok coming to offices is clean and very democratic,” Stated Aborcup J. Akuer.

Hon. Mary Nyabeil Simon who was appointed to would be National Transitional Assembly was elected to office in October last year. She had held the office since then till her appointment to the National Assembly in the upcoming transition government of South Sudan.

In her last remarks at Saturday’s function, Hon. Mary appreciated and encouraged the mission and chapter’s members to continue with the spirit of comradeship in the struggle. She assured them of her support wherever she will be.

“Amb. Lam Chuol Jock, my former secretaries, and honorable members of the SPLM council in Kenya, I am so delighted and grateful to have worked with you, I thank God and will keep praying so He can help you keep this comradeship spirit,” she said.

“I would like to congratulate the new leadership and assure it my full support, I am not gone, I am still with you and I will always be with you in the struggle,” Hon. Mary assured.

On his side, the newly elected chairman, Hon. Jago Adongjak appreciated the outgoing chairlady and the mission as well as council in general. He also assured the chapter his full commitment to the new assignment given.

Juba, March 7, 2016 (SSNA) -- The Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) meeting which was first scheduled take place tomorrow has been rescheduled for March 16, Spokesperson Ruth Feeney has said.

In a statement obtained by the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA), Feeney said the meeting has been rescheduled and that the venue of the event remains the same.

“Please note the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) Meeting scheduled for the 8th March has been moved to 16th March,” Feeney said in the statement.

Feeney didn’t give any reason as to why the meeting was moved to next week.

CTSAMM’s Spokesman urges media to attend the event at Nile Fortune Hotel located in Tomping, saying the chairman of Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism will speak at 10:00am, South Sudan local time. Feeney also invited media to return to the event location at about 4:00pm for a brief statement from the CTSAMM’s Spokesperson.

The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) is body tasked to monitor and verify any peace violation and report it to peace partners.

Kalokiting/Golol/Tawila/Nierteti, March 8, 2016 (SSNA) -- More than ten people were killed in Darfur's Jebel Marra as of Thursday. Seven people were killed and 20 others injured in attacks by the Sudanese military and allied militiamen on areas in southern Jebel Marra on Saturday.

Ten villages northwest of Kalokitting burned to ashes, making about 30,000 villagers homeless, a listener told Radio Dabanga from the area. “In the afternoon the soldiers and militiamen raided and torched the villages. Four women, two men, and a child were killed.”

That same day, two secondary school students were killed in air raids in the south, on the area around Golol, and a boy was fatally hit by a missile when government troops shelled the area of Toran Touna. In Tawila locality, a minor and a man were killed in an aerial bombardment on Thursday night. The bombardment coincided with a visit of the North Darfur Governor, who held a speech in Tawila town, calling on the tens of thousands of displaced people from Jebel Marra to voluntarily return to their homes.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Sudan, the number of people displaced by the recent violence in Jebel Marra reached 96,000 by 28 February. Of this reported number, 65,800 people have been registered. The majority of the newly displaced are in North Darfur.
People fleeing the attacks on villages in Jebel Marra are still pouring into the camps for the displaced in North and Central Darfur. The newly displaced in North Darfur have received food aid, while those in Central Darfur are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

An activist in the camps in Tawila reported that 47 families arrived there last week and the Sudanese Red Crescent has registered them. The activist said that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) distributed millet and lentils to a group of newcomers in the Tawila camps. “This brings the number of those who have received food aid to 28,000.”

In a joint statement on 3 March, the AU Commission chairwoman, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, call on the Sudanese government to fully cooperate with Unamid to facilitate its freedom of movement, as well as that of the humanitarian actors.

Pagak/Addis Ababa, March 13, 2016 (SSNA) -- The military command of South Sudanese rebels has accused government forces of launching surprised attacks on their outposts located in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, warning that soldiers of the SPLA-IO may not go to Juba if the South Sudanese government keeps attacking rebel forces.

The accusation came a few days after South Sudan’s waring faction clashed in Upper and Unity States.

Colonel William Gatjiath Deng, an official Spokesman for the Sudan People’s Liberation army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) on Saturday released a statement, a copy of which was extended to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA), proclaiming that Juba-backed soldiers attacked SPLA-IO positions in Kangabar County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

“The Government forces attacked our cantonment areas in Northern Bharel Gazal yesterday [Friday] at 7:00AM. They attacked Kangabar County in Northern Bhar El Ghazal and pushed out our forces this morning [Saturday],” the statements reads in part.

“This is an indication that the South Sudan government is not serious to implement the security arrangement. This is a serious violation that SPLA/IO forces may not go to Juba as expected if the government continue with its military aggression,” the statement continues.

In the document, rebels alleged that government soldiers could be seen moving from Wai to Bazia, a town the SPLA-IO says is now a place where the two rival forces wage intense fighting.

The armed opposition also accused Juba of preparing “full scale war” against the SPLA-IO’s forces, adding that government troops are moving out of Leer County of Unity State to Port Adok in an attempt to try to push rebels out of riverbank of the Nile.

Numerous media reports suggest that South Sudan’s rival forces have recently been trading accusations of peace violations, raising fear whether or not the internationally brokered-pact will stick.

Pagak calls on South Sudan’s peace monitors and the international community to investigate what it described as “peace violations” committed by Juba.