Tension is still high in the Norther Kenyan Town of Lokichokio.

Tension is still high in the northern Kenyan town of Lokichokio following the killing of three people on Sunday at Locor-Akope, 48 kilometers from the town25 August 2009 - (Nairobi) - .The men who died were part of a security convoy sent to rescue people wounded in a cattle raid last Saturday by attackers who are believed to be Sudanese from the neighboring Toposa community.The local people suspect that the convoy was ambushed by a combined force of SPLA soldiers and civilians.The coordinator of an NGO which works for peace between the Turkana and Toposa communities, Alex Losikiria, described the situation.[Alex Losikiria]: "It is not theft, this was an organized raid. In fact, you are even able to see that the members of the SPLA were involved in this. So everybody is afraid because when they killed the local people and took the animals and then you are told the forces were involved and then they also ambushed the vehicle, it is very unusual, it is not normal. People are struggling to establish the motive behind this incident. What annoyed the local community was that a vehicle was shot at and even somebody was killed, the driver. The first incident involved four pastoralists three men and a lady, they were actually watering the animals in the well. Four people were wounded in that incident on Saturday. My driver and an administration officer were killed and a KPR and a councilor were wounded when they went to verify the incident and to bring the wounded to hospital. Locor Akope is in Kenya, not in between, it's within Kenya, within Lokichokio Division."Alex Losikiria was speaking to Sudan Radio Service from Lokichoggio on Monday.The Sudanese ambassador to Kenya, Majok Guandong, confirmed the incidents which he described as "unfortunate" . However, he said the two incidents were carried out by members of the Toposa community and not by the SPLA.Guandong said he has been meeting his Kenyan counterparts to resolve the issue.[Ambassador Guandong]: "Yes, I am aware of this incident. And in fact yesterday, I spent the whole day at the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we discussed this issue. Yes, it is true, the Toposa came and raided Turkana cattle on Saturday, on the 22nd August 2009, and according to Kenyan government officials, took a thousand head of cattle. They killed 4 civilians from Turkana and injured another four. On Sunday, when the Kenyan police were trying to follow the trail of the cattle, they fell into an ambush by Toposa tribesmen and a policeman was killed, as well as the driver of the vehicle and a councilor from Turkana north county council. Definitely, this is a very unfortunate incident because it took the lives of Kenyans and they lost their cattle."The ambassador said that following the discussions between him and the Kenyan government, a meeting will be held at the Sudan-Kenya border on 23rd September, between the governments of Kenya and southern Sudan, to resolve the issue and reconcile the two communities.25 August 2009 - (Khartoum) - The World Food Programme of the United Nations, says there is a "fifty-percent food gap" in Darfur following the expulsion of thirteen NGOs in March this year.The NGOs were expelled in what was seen as retaliation after the indictment of President Omar al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court.In a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday, the WFP's representative in Sudan, Kenro Oshidari, explained how the absence of the NGOs has had a huge impact on food security in Darfur.[Kenro Oshidari]: "Over the last three to four years the security situation has seriously deteriorated, it is almost like a lawless region. Now let me just touch briefly upon the post-ICC expulsion of the NGOs. WFP was also very much affected by this, four of the NGOs that were expelled were big WFP partners for food distribution. So, they left behind 1.1 million beneficiaries without the NGOs to distribute food. So what WFP did was we just went straight in, hired some of the NGO's Sudanese staff who were left behind, we hired them and we did the distribution ourselves. Now we have found some new partners - both international and Sudanese NGOs - and they are helping us out but in about 50 percent of gap area cases WFP is still doing its own distribution. "Oshidari added that at least 3.6 million people in Darfur are receiving WFP food assistance during the current rainy season.[Kenro Oshidari]: "About 70 percent of our entire assistance in Sudan goes to Darfur. We are currently assisting about 3.6 million people in Darfur. Roughly 2 million of them are IDPs, many of them in camps; some are not in camps but are displaced. Another 1.6 million people, who are not IDPs, receive our food and we also assist people in the rural areas, it is a form of seasonal assistance."Oshidari said humanitarian organizations are very concerned about insecurity in Darfur especially this year.He said insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing humanitarian organizations who deliver aid to the people of Darfur.25 August 2009 - (Abu Zar) - A director of a center for old people in Abu Zar IDP camp in western Darfur says that the elderly have been ignored and abandoned for too long.Mohammed Abdullah spoke to Sudan Radio Service on Monday. He says the main challenge is that most of the aged have no families and therefore rely on the centre for everything.[Mohammed Abdullah]: "We have around 322 old people, 95 of them are men and the rest are women. We provide them with food and health services because they are all displaced and we also give them medication and we bring them clothes during the heavy rains. During Eid we give them dates, sweets and clothes and the fact that they don't have families is one of the major challenges that we are facing because they are totally dependent on the organization. Some people went to Chad and others came here, we have formed a committee to take care of them and we call it the Old Peoples' Committee."Mohammed Abdullah was speaking to Sudan Radio Service on Monday from Darfur.25 August 2009 - (Khartoum) - The GONU Ministry of Roads and Transport says that work on the 229 kilometer Abyei - Gogrial - Wau road will start by the end of the week.Speaking to Sudan Radio Service, the Minister of Transport, Phillip Thon Leek, said that the road will be funded by the Unity Support Fund which was set up to foster peaceful coexistence between the Ngok Dinka and the Messiriya.[Phillip Thon Leek]: "This Abyei - Gogrial - Wau road is one of the development and unity projects between the north and the south with sponsorship from the Unity Support Treasury. We will start working on the road immediately. The road is 229 kilometers long and is going to cost 458 million SDP. The work will start at end of this week. It is a very important road because it connects areas in Abyei with areas in Lakes state and Western Bahr el-Ghazal and the nearby states in the south. It will connect the north and the south and South Kordofan state."The Minister added that a meeting is planned for the end of this month between the GONU, GOSS and the Ugandan governments regarding a railway project which will link Uganda and Sudan.Four of the major Darfur anti-government groups have agreed to unite and form a joint front.The meetings which led to the unification took place in Addis Ababa last week, in the presence of the US especial envoy to Sudan, Scott Gration.Sudan Radio Service spoke to one of the advisors in Gration's team, Omar Gamar El-din, in Addis Ababa on Monday.[Omar Gamar el-Din]: "The movements which have united are the SLM, led by Abdullah Yahiya and Sharif Harir, the SLM, led by Ahmed Abdulshafi, and SLM of Abdulwahid Al-nur, although Abdulwahid has not agreed with this initiative, his field commanders have agreed and the communication with them started earlier. The first meeting between them and SLM Unity faction started last July in N'djamena. It continued in Addis Ababa and was crowned by unity between these factions on the political program, their shared vision, and the prospect of a road map for peace in Darfur. The United Resistance Front led by Bahar Idris Abugarda also has joined them, so the four factions have agreed on unity. They also agreed that the integration will take place in what is called the liberated lands in Darfur in a period of time not exceeding two months."El-Din said that Gration and his team are urging Abdulwahid to join the talks with other Darfur anti-government groups.[Omar Gamar el-Din]: "We have called Abdulwahid - General Gration himself called him as well. I think Abdulwahid should soften his stance and listen to the voices of all the people who contacted him. It is impossible that the whole world is wrong and Abdulwahid alone is right. At least from a tactical side, you should say to yourself, I will come to talk to them and will see what they want, Everybody is going to see him in Paris or other places to talk to him but he is refusing."Omar Gamar el-Din was speaking to Sudan Radio Service from Addis Ababa.
24 August 2009 - (Khartoum) - The World Food Programme of the United Nations says it needs 44 million USD to buy 22 thousand metric tonnes of food in order to save the lives or more than 1.3 million people in southern Sudan.Addressing a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday, the WFP's representative in Sudan, Kenro Oshidari, said that due to insecurity which made many areas inaccessible, the WFP will begin air-drops of food to the areas affected by hunger in Southern Sudan.[Kenro Oshidari]: "The difficult part of this is that more than half of those 22,000 tonnes will actually have to be transported by airplanes. Many of these areas in southern Sudan as you know get cut off, the road access is impossible during the rainy season, particularly in areas like Jonglei, Akobo, where there was a big tribal conflict. What we will need to do is hire large airplanes and we will start air drops - dropping the food from the sky. We did this for many years during the war times but we stopped this back in 2007 and now we have to revive the airdrops again for this purpose. It is going to be very costly but at the same time it is going to be very much needed. The total cost of these twenty-two thousand tonnes - including the airdrop cost - will come to 44 million dollars."Kenro Oshidari said that food will be airdropped because a few weeks ago WFP tried to deliver food aid by barge using the Sobat River but the barges were attacked, sunk and over 7 hundred metric tonnes of food were lost together with the boat. He said that WFP has been taking food into Akobo using UNMIS helicopters and small cargo planes but it has not been sufficient.Kenro Oshidari said the six states that were mosty seriously affected are Jonglei, Upper Nile, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal, Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Warrap and Eastern Equatoria.He said WFP has temporarily suspended its operations in Ezo County in Western Equatoria State due to recent attacks on the county by the LRA and can only resume its operations in Ezo under escort from the SPLA in order to ensure that its staff is safe.Kenro Oshidari said the funding need for food assistance for Sudan for the year 2010 is estimated at 870 million USD.

24 August 2009 - (El-Fashir) - The joint United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur, UNAMID, is urging parties to the conflict in Darfur to declare a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan.Speaking to Sudan Radio Service by phone from UNAMID headquarters in El-Fashir in Northern Darfur State on Saturday, UNAMID spokesperson Nouraddine Mezni said the Joint AU and UN Special Representative for Darfur has called on the parties to the conflict in Darfur to observe a ceasefire.[Nouraddine Mezni]: "Mister Rodolphe Adada, the UN and AU Special Representative for Darfur, has appealed to all parties to the conflict in Darfur to declare a ceasefire and to stop all acts of violence in respect to the commencement of this holy month of Ramadan and we are hoping that all parties will respect this appeal so that the people of Darfur may observe this holy month in peace and tranquility so that they can concentrate on their prayers so that all may understand that peace is fundamental and that peace is the only solution for ending the suffering of the people of Darfur."Mezni added that UNAMID hopes that the parties to the conflict will respect a ceasefire because UNAMID believes that there is no military solution to the Darfur problem.[Nouraddine Mezni]: "These days, there are many diplomatic and political visits to Sudan, and we hope that the declaration of a ceasefire will encourage commitment to the political process. There is no military solution to the Darfur problem and this is what we always say. The solution should come through dialogue and through a political process. This holy month of Ramadan is the best and most appropriate time for the declaration of a ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities. It is the time to begin a new page, to embark on dialogue and forgiveness. "That was UNAMID spokesperson, Nouraddine Mezni, talking to Sudan Radio Service by phone from El-Fashir in Northern Darfur State on Saturday.24 August 2009 - (Darfur) - Internally displaced persons in Darfur are complaining of the high cost of food in the north, south and western states of Darfur.Sudan Radio Service spoke to some of the IDPs from the displaced camps.[Voice 1]: "The difficulty that we are facing nowadays is the high price of commodities. The sugar given to us is not enough because they only give you 6 ounces per person. Secondly, there is the problem of firewood and charcoal. Honestly, the price of these two things is rising and also that of sugar and cooking oil."[Female Voice]: The price of everything has gone high, things like sugar, dates have gone high. Now sugar is 15 pounds and the vegetables are also so high and the condition of the people is bad. Some people cannot afford to buy. The charcoal is expensive, even firewood is expensive. The condition of the people is bad because so many people are not working and the rations they are given is not enough. Some people, when they receive their ration, they sell it because of they are so poor."[Voice 3]: "For example, for us in the displaced camp in Zalinji, everything is very expensive. The normal bread and millet (the one that is soaked in water) and 2 kilos of grain is nine pounds. That is without any vegetables at all. One kilo of sugar is one pound and 70 cents. A kilo of meat is 14 pounds."Those were the views of internally displaced persons who were commenting on the rising price of food in Darfur.24 August 2009 - (Bor) - As the Government of southern Sudan boosts the status of the Anti-corruption commission, Jonglei state governor Kuol Manyang has ordered a new pay-sheet clean-up exercise in his state.Speaking to civil servants in Bor on Friday, Kuol stressed the need for zero-tolerance towards idlers and in dealing with corruption in the civil service.[Kuol Manyang]: "Why do you pay him/her when he/she is not doing any work? Why do you employ them when you are not going to make use of them? If it is the right of everybody who is not working to be paid money, then let us pay everyone who sitting in their homes. They are also citizens and they have the right to be paid if we are to pay people who are not working. So we are going to make a clean-up of the pay-sheet. We will go office-by-office to see who is doing what. Some people stay at home, they don't want to work and expect to be paid. Why do we pay that person?"Governor Kuol was commended in the governors forum for retiring senior citizens in his government and outwitting 'ghost-workers' .Over the weekend, the GOSS Council of Ministers passed a resolution giving more powers and status to the Southern Anti-corruption Commission.The chairperson, Pauline Riak, has been promoted to the position of a minister in GOSS while her deputy becomes a state minister.Apart from the additional status, the workers in the commission will receive higher salaries than other workers in the other ministries. According to GOSS Vice-president Dr. Riek Machar, this would discourage anti-corruption staff from falling prey to corruption or money laundering.24 August 2009 - (Yei) - The commissioner of Yei county is calling on the people of southern Sudan to protect the environment by planting more trees in the region.Speaking to Sudan Radio Service by phone from Yei, David Lokong'a said that many people are destroying the environment by cutting down trees for commercial purposes without replacing them.[David Lokong'a]: "I'm saying, even to my colleagues the commissioners all over southern Sudan let us protect the forest. We are the people on the ground, we are the people with the community and we are very close to them. Then we should put some by-laws and other things in place to protect the environment, that is my advice to my colleagues. Like in Yei, from 2008, people have been attempting to cut almost all the trees for charcoal and other things. And now we started telling the chiefs about the danger of this and the chiefs are on the ground telling people, please don't do this. And again the next advice that I want to give is that we should plant trees, we are trying to see to it that the department of forestry puts up a nursery so that we can be able to plant. When you cut one tree you plant three others and that is the motto we are applying in Yei and I would like to advise that each and every county should do this to protect the environment. "The commissioner of Yei county, David Lokong'a, was speaking to Sudan Radio Service by phone from Yei on Monday.Charles HaskinsNews Programming AdvisorSudan Radio Service (SRS)A project of Education Development CenterMobile: +254 715 05 2924 or +254 722 20 8598Thuraya: +882 1643 339 226Office: +254 (20) 387 0906Fax:

THE Baruli-Banyala are not in Buganda and do not support federo, their prime minister Sebwato Lutaya Gawera has said. “We are not in Buganda and cannot be forced to become Baganda,” he added. In a petition to Parliament yesterday, the Baruli also said Mengo should stop undermining their cultural leaders. The petitioners said Buruli was the ancestral area of the Baruli people. “Mengo collaborators in Buruli must stop holding subversive meetings and activities in Buruli aimed at undermining the culture and the cultural leaders of the Baruli people,” they said. According to the Constitution, Buruli in which Nakasongola district is located, is part of Buganda. It is one of the counties which Bunyoro and Buganda kingdoms have historically fought over. The petition, handed over to the Speaker Edward Ssekandi, in the presence of Nakasongola MP Grace Tibwita (NRM), was signed by Buruli minister for information Bagonza Mohammed Muruli. It said: “We do not support federo as advocated by Mengo. We support the regional tier.” The document contained the resolution of which the Nakasongola district council passed on July 16, describing the Baruli as the indigenous people of Buruli. The resolution also accused Mengo agents of issuing death threats to 10 prominent Baruli. The petitioners warned of retaliation if the Baruli were killed. “This scenario must be stopped,” they said. The Baruli also declared a boycott of the Mengo-sponsored soccer galas. “The players ostensibly representing Baruli are neither Baruli nor selected from Buruli,” they said. Ssekandi asked the delegation if they considered Buruli part of Buganda as the Constitution states. In reply, Sebwato said: “We are not Baganda and cannot be forced to become Baganda.” However, Ssekandi urged them to sit with Mengo and iron out their grievances. “I have received the petition and I will forward it to the concerned committee for scrutiny. However, my appeal is that you agree to co-exist,” he said. As Ssekandi met the petitioners, the Kabaka was swearing in Ssentongo, a Muruli, as a minister in Mengo. However, they said Ssentongo is a rebel who does not respect Baruli culture. The Baruli-Banyala vowed to document the “Baruli crusade for cultural emancipation”. They added that the Baruli were not against Baganda but the “Mengo clique”. They also said they were ready to resist the “cultural colonialism of the Mengo clique”. Recently, Baruli peasants expressed fear of eviction from their “bibanja” by Baganda landlords and asked for the Government’s help. The petitioners also said they respected Buruli’s cultural diversity and were committed to living in peace with the different tribes and cultural institutions which recognise and respect their culture. They urged the Government to support indigenous minorities enjoy their cultures and to make a law that allows two cultural institutions to exist in the same geographic area.

Kabaka words on Kingdom

The Kabaka and the Nabagereka waving to the crowds in Mengo where he opened the Lukiiko yesterday
By Henry Mukasa KABAKA Ronald Mutebi has rejected what he described as attempts to split his kingdom by creating chiefdoms within it. Opening the Buganda Lukiiko (parliament) at Bulange - Mengo yesterday, the Kabaka said it was an abuse of Buganda’s hospitality for people who had been welcomed and settled in the kingdom to “desecrate” it. He also hoped that such people would not “despise and trample upon us”. Buganda, he argued, had in the past united people from different places into one entity, making the kingdom the most powerful in central Africa by the mid-19th century. “We still welcome people without discrimination and unite them under Buganda. “We would not like people that were welcomed to split into factions to start or build their kingdoms within Buganda,” the Kabaka said. The Buganda boundaries are documented, he said. “It hurts the Baganda when their kingdom is sub-divided.” When the Kabaka arrived at the Bulange in a convoy of cars, he proceeded to the courtyard for the sounding of the royal drums before entering the Lukiiko hall. Dressed in ceremonial robes and a crown, the Kabaka was greeted with deafening applause by his subjects. Chants of Ssabataka (the custodian of Buganda land) filled the air as the king walked to his throne accompanied by wife Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and Katikkiro JB Walusimbi.  The Kabaka condemned the on-going land violence which he described as worrisome. “Each day we hear of someone killed over a land dispute. Blood should not be shed over land,” he said. The Kabaka recalled a time when landlords lived in harmony with tenants on their land. “But now there is acrimony between landlords and tenants. Both cannot use the land but live in fear. This should be solved for the tension to end.” The monarch said since his coronation 16 years ago, the central government had returned some of Buganda’s properties for which he was thankful but said many other assets should also be handed back. He cited them as land, sub-county headquarters and granting a federal status to the kingdom. During the Lukiiko session, three new ministers were sworn in: Tony Kiyimba Kaggwa (lands and properties), Elly Sentongo (forests and environment) and Samalie Namazzi Mwanje (protocol). Sentongo, a retired auditor from Buruli, amused the Lukiiko when he swore his loyalty to the Kabaka. Sentongo, who is of the Bayinda clan of Ankole, said his grandparents settled in Buganda a long time ago. “Because you are visionary, you have appointed me,” Sentongo said as he stood before the Kabaka. “What happened in the past angered us. I hope those concerned will think twice and give you free reign in your kingdom. I know they are listening,” Sentongo added. He was referring to a case in the past when the Government blocked the Kabaka from visiting Buruli over security reasons. The Katikkiro outlined various projects Mengo is undertaking. He called for the deferment of the Land Amendment Bill and the Kampala city Bill until consensus is generated, vowing that Buganda would not give up the quest for federo. “The quest for federo is intended to unite the country and ensure equitable distribution of resources,” Walusimbi noted. He lamented the school fires, child ritual sacrifices, murders, unemployment and biting poverty. Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi, MPs, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leader, Bidandi Ssali, FDC leader Col. Kizza Besigye, UPC’s Miria Obote and religious leaders attended. The presidential adviser on Buganda, Robert Ssebunya, was booed in the gallery when he was introduced.

Message to Equatorian Folks

Message to Equatorian Folks,

I hope all is going well with you. We had had Dr. John Garang's Memorial service held yesterday at the Church By Side of the Road. Many turned up from the Nuer and Dinka side with the exception of 4 Equatorian.

This is really a challenge to us. I was very disappointed in our Equatorians to see our row were empties. Our numbers are great in Seattle. This show that we are the most in discriminating against others. Non of the Chapters representatives from the Equatoian were even there. Why did they take the office then if they cannot do the job they are call to?

We seemed to claim ourselves as the best people in the south Sudan, but without action. We know best how to gossip and blame others. How do we think that without our availability we can be known to other communities? We are like bugging dogs who never bite. Your personal hatred for Dinka will not help if you don't come forward and present yourself. Wisdom is better than folly.

Unless we leave such weakness of our proudness. We will never get anywhere. We will be always second or even third class in our own state. This is true and fact. We have nothing only hatreds for others with no confrontation. Who cares, if you are angry and don't stand up for yourselves? Our personal problem should not be a public or a community matters.

I am so distressed and fed up with this continue unnecessary behaviour of our Equatorian Folks. We are only strong amongst our fellows Equatorian, but coward to confront or meet the reality. All we know is talking about "De amulu de, da amulu da; Jenge del ma aruf haza". But Jenge are going ahead of us despite what we think of them. They are coming out of Mura each day and turning us into Mura. What do we really want? Do we want to remain Abit (slaves) as Arabs says?

Words without action has no effect. Now election for the presidential office of the South Sudanese Community in Washington State is coming up. If we remain with the same behaviour, we shouldn't even expect of taking that office. Our fellows Bar el Gazal and Upper Nile States will not vote for you as they have their own people and are well organised. And we will never get the benefits from the community. But they will take all the advantages of using our names and numbers to fill the population of the South Sudanese here in Washington State. The benefits are for them.

Stopped crying and blaming. Instead to support our brothers and sisters who are there willing to stand up and represent us. Come out from your caves and speak up. Your voice and vote will make a different on the community. Make yourself available!

Alex Labal

Catholic Church throw one of there member into jailing becouse of Kidney problem.

You would never think a church would throw one of her members to the hands of of the government. You would also think of the church as a sanctuary and place of refuge in times of need. Not so, with the church in the United States at least with our experience recently with the jailing of Samuel Gai Kulang.Samuel Gai Kulang has been attending Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for the past five years as a dedicated member. He is suffering from kidney problem and goes for dialysis three times a week. Apparently, the church promised to pay for the medical bills when his time comes to receive a kidney donation. However, the priest who was sympathetic with him died and a new one took over.The new priest couldn't care a bit for this man. When Samuel pressed his case to him more, the more angrier the priest became. So, Samuel was given a warning not to come to the church property or otherwise face trespassing charges.Samuel Kulang could not just give up going to the church as he believes this is his family just as in the Sudan. Each time, he stepped there, the church called the police on him. One Sunday, Samuel braved himself and tried to explain his case to the congregation. He took as much time as he could and could not back out. This last episode landed him in jail for over a month now.The case was supposed to have been heard on the Aug. 18 but was rushed without notice to Aug. 13th. Now, he is sentenced to two more months in jail.It appears, the man is definitely guilty of trespassing but I think the church went so far by treating one of her members as a criminal.The church showed no mercy or compassion as the Sudanese community tries to engage in dialogue so as to keep this man out of the jail. The community would also involve in keeping this man from ever stepping on the grounds of this church.We are shocked to see that this particular church showed no interest in helping this needy man. Is it because he is black? Is it because he is poor? One of the accusations is that this man is scaring people away from the church? How is he scaring people? Is it because of his marks on the face and his color?So, the gist of this story is don't mess with churches particularly in America. It is very different here than in the Sudan. Pick your church carefully so when you need them, they will be there for you and not abandon you!
Sam Dilla
USA

Addressing SPLA War Vetrans.

Addressing SPLA War Vetrans
JUBA- The SPLM Deputy Secretary General for Southern Sector, Dr Anne Itto, Monday, congratulated all war veterans on the 54th anniversary of the Torit Mutiny, and appealed that they continue to support the struggle to liberate the people from all types of oppression.
Fifty four years ago a group of soldiers from the Equatoria Corps based in Torit turned down orders to relocate to the North in what they saw as a move to diminish the negotiating power of Southerners ahead of independence and consolidate the dominance of the North over the South.
It was then that they fired the first shot that was the opening salvo in our long and protracted war of liberation from all forms of oppression; political, economic and social.
The war lasted for 17 years and ended with the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement, which President Jaafar Mohammed Nimeiry later deliberately and systematically dismantled.
The war the SPLM/SPLA launched in 1983 was a continuation of the liberation struggle the Equatoria Corps started on August 18, 1955, a date our leader Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit has designated as Veterans’ Day throughout southern Sudan.
As we commemorate the 54th anniversary of what came to be known as the Torit Mutiny, I wish to, on behalf of the SPLM’s Southern Sector and on my behalf, congratulate and salute all our war veterans wherever they may be.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to you and your families for all the contributions you made in the course of our liberation struggle. I realize that many of these contributions were painful and that is yet another reason for us to be proud of you.
The freedom we enjoy today would not have been possible without your selfless sacrifices.
Despite all these, our struggle, the struggle of the marginalized people of Sudan continues.
I appeal to you to continue to support the SPLM, as it continues the struggle to liberate our people from political oppression, economic exploitation and cultural and social degradation and from the bondage of poverty and ignorance.
The SPLM under the wise leadership of Comrade Salva Kiir Mayardit shall ensure that the dream of our founder, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, his dream of a New Sudan of freedom, justice, equality and prosperity for all, a New Sudan of democracy, becomes a reality in our lifetime.
Our country is going through a critical period right now. This makes the remaining 16 months a crucial and critical moment that requires everyone to contribute in and remain united.
The Darfur conflict rages on with no end in sight. And the global financial crisis has taken its toll on Sudan too.
But let me assure you that the SPLM shall never, ever let you down. The people’s movement shall stand with the people and remain with the people to the very end.
The struggle continues.God bless our veterans.Yours in struggle,
Dr. Anne Itto
SPLM Deputy Secretary General,Southern Sector

Questions for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

August 23, 2009
Questions for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Madame President
By DEBORAH SOLOMON
As the only female head of state in Africa, what did you think of the recent documentary “Pray the Devil Back to Hell,” which gives the women of Liberia complete credit for ending the country’s bloody civil war? I have seen it, and I applaud the women who sat in the rain and sun promoting peace, advocating reconciliation and the end to the war. I say our country owes them a whole lot. You took office in January 2006, in a kind of feminist fantasy come true. People didn’t think it would happen in Liberia because we are a poor, war-torn country that they thought required a man and a macho person — but the women showed differently, and I must say that I hope we’re proving them wrong. On her trip to Africa earlier this month, which included a stop in Monrovia, your nation’s capital, Hillary Clinton railed against the rape epidemic in eastern Congo. Is that also a problem in Liberia? Absolutely. It certainly is a big problem in Liberia. It still is because for one thing there’s a culture of silence — silence because of shame to the families.Yes, there’s that recent case in Phoenix, Ariz., where an 8-year-old Liberian refugee was raped by four Liberian boys, only to have her parents initially shut her out of the house. We have asked our ambassador to work with the family to see that the child is put in some protective shelter for a while. Also, we think the boys need counseling because during the years of war, morality and discipline and legality all broke down. It made these young people men before their time. What does that say about the inherent character of men? I just think that unless you have that cohesiveness in the family unit, the male character tends to become very dominant, repressive and insensitive. So much of this comes also from a lack of education. As more men become more educated and women get educated, the value system has to be more enhanced and the respect for human dignity and human life is made better. What percentage of your country is literate or educated? I am sad to say that the literate population is not more than 30 percent. Although you are popular internationally, in your own country you have been denounced for your association with former President Charles Taylor, who is currently on trial in The Hague for murder, rape and conscripting child soldiers. I assume you have broken with him? A long, long time ago. Six months into his movement, I found that his intention was wrong, and I have personally fought him from that time consistently.Do you plan to invite President Obama to visit Liberia? I am sure he knows that every African country, Liberia included, has an invitation to him. The population just loves him so much. I’m very surprised — I’m driving around sometimes, and I see the Obama grocery or the Obama minimart. People have opened little stores that are named in his honor.As president, how much are you paid? I get $7,500 [U.S.] a month.How much does the average Liberian civil servant earn? We have now raised it to a minimum of $80 U.S. a month. If women ran the world, would wars still exist? No. It would be a better, safer and more productive world. A woman would bring an extra dimension to that task — and that’s a sensitivity to humankind. It comes from being a mother. But if women had power, they would be more likely to acquire the negative traits that power breeds, like selfishness and territorialism. It would take a very long term of women absolutely in power to get to the place where they became men. Why do you think we’ve never had a female president in the United States? I have to ask you that question. You’ve got to vote for her.INTERVIEW HAS BEEN CONDENSED AND EDITED.

Glenn Beck words of Racist.

Writer David Bauder, Ap Television Writer – 1 hr 44 mins ago
NEW YORK – Glenn Beck returns to Fox News Channel on Monday after a vacation with fewer companies willing to advertise on his show than when he left, part of the fallout from calling President Barack Obama a racist.
A total of 33 Fox advertisers, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., CVS Caremark, Clorox and Sprint, directed that their commercials not air on Beck's show, according to the companies and ColorofChange.org, a group that promotes political action among blacks and launched a campaign to get advertisers to abandon him. That's more than a dozen more than were identified a week ago.
While it's unclear what effect, if any, this will ultimately have on Fox and Beck, it is already making advertisers skittish about hawking their wares within the most opinionated cable TV shows.
The Clorox Co., a former Beck advertiser, now says that "we do not want to be associated with inflammatory speech used by either liberal or conservative talk show hosts." The maker of bleach and household cleaners said in a statement that it has decided not to advertise on political talk shows.
The shows present a dilemma for advertisers, who usually like a "safe" environment for their messages. The Olbermanns, Hannitys, O'Reillys, Maddows and Becks of the TV world are more likely to say something that will anger a viewer, who might take it out on sponsors.
They also host the most-watched programs on their networks.
"This is a good illustration of that conundrum," said Rich Hallabran, spokesman for UPS Stores, which he said has temporarily halted buying ads on Fox News Channel as a whole.
Beck can bring the eyeballs. With the health care debate raising political temperatures, his show had its biggest week ever right before his vacation, averaging 2.4 million viewers each day, according to Nielsen Media Research.
He was actually on another Fox show July 28 when he referred to Obama as a racist with "a deep-seated hatred for white people." The network immediately distanced itself from Beck's statement, but Beck didn't. He used his radio show the next day to explain why he believed that. He would not comment for this article, spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said.
ColorofChange.org quickly targeted companies whose ads had appeared during Beck's show, telling them what he had said and seeking a commitment to drop him. The goal is to make Beck a liability, said James Rucker, the organization's executive director.
"They have a toxic asset," Rucker said. "They can either clean it up or get rid of it."
It's not immediately clear how many of the companies actually knew they were advertising on Beck's show. Sometimes commercial time is chosen for a specific show, but often it is bought on a rotation basis, meaning the network sprinkles the ads throughout the day on its own schedule. Sometimes ads appear by mistake; Best Buy said it bought commercial time for earlier in the day, and one of its ads unexpectedly appeared in Beck's show.
One company, CVS Caremark, said it advertises on Fox but hadn't said anything about Beck. Now it has told its advertising agency to inform Fox that it wanted no commercials on Beck.
"We support vigorous debate, especially around policy issues that affect millions of Americans, but we expect it to be informed, inclusive and respectful," said spokeswoman Carolyn Castel.
Besides the unpredictability of the opinionated cable hosts, the rapid pace of today's wired world complicates decisions on where to place ads, said Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokeswoman for Sprint. She said she was surprised at how fast the Beck issue spread across social media outlets and how quickly advertiser names were attached to it.
UPS' Hallabran said the decision to pull commercials "should not be interpreted as we are permanently withdrawing our advertising from Fox." He said the company wants to reach viewers with a wide spectrum of opinions.
Except for UPS Stores, there's no evidence that any advertisers who say they don't want to be on Beck's show are leaving Fox. Network spokeswoman Irena Briganti said the companies have simply requested the ads be moved elsewhere and that Fox hasn't lost any revenue.
She wouldn't say whether Fox was benefiting from any anti-anti-Beck backlash, with companies looking to support him. Some Beck supporters have urged fans to express their displeasure at companies for abandoning their man.
Beck supporters have suggested that retaliation might have something to do with ColorofChange.org's campaign. One of the group's founders, Van Jones, now works in the Obama administration and has been criticized by Beck. But Rucker said Jones has nothing to do with ColorofChange.org now and didn't even know about the campaign before it started.
Beck's strong ratings — even at 5 p.m. EDT he often outdraws whatever CNN and MSNBC show in prime-time — make it unlikely Beck is going anywhere even as the list of advertisers avoiding him approaches three dozen.
But it could mean advertising time becomes cheaper on his show than such a large audience would normally command. Some of his show's advertisers last week included a male enhancement pill, a law firm looking to sue on behalf of asbestos victims, a company selling medical supplies to diabetics and a water filter company.
Rucker said ColorofChange.org has contacted about 60 companies regarding Beck, and is heartened by the response.
"It's causing a certain conversation around Beck, which I think is important," he said.
___
On the Net:
http://www.colorofchange.org
http://www.foxnews.com

Opposition.

Opposition hits headline in every person’ own mind than support
Is Dictatorship a natural tendency or that of peoples’ making?
By: Ateny Wek Ateny
As Christians, Lord Jesus Christ asked us to ‘love one another’ – he also went extreme by asking his disciples to love their enemies and to pray for them’(Matthew 5:44). As humans, commons sense dictate ‘ we loves those who loves us’ and abhor those who despise us. A Sudanese renowned Artist Saleh Ibin El Badiya composed a song that urges people not to be ‘too lenient to loves those who don’t love them’. In politics – ‘no permanent friend or permanent enemy’ which means ‘no permanent love or permanent abhorrence entertains in politics. You could be friends when your interests identifies together and be enemies when they fall-off – what a terrible field! Theoretically, churches embraces equality before God, and so as the politics embraces equality before the law. However, realities in each of the two may be different. Whether the Priest is equal to ordinary worshiper or the politician with the lay man in God and in the law, remain a very interesting story.
The most relevant loves here is political love. As complicated as it is, politics is a very interesting filed all together. The author would like to share his view about politics with as many penitential readers as possible. To be popular leader in politics you need as many supporters as possible. Most supporters may gives you their supports simply because they think you are representing their aspirations, others supports you for ‘shared interests’ or because of the notion of ‘the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know’, or that you are better than nothing. Others and the few, gives their supports because you had had unequivocal recognition for them, or because you comes from their clan at the worse etc. But the most important part of these scenarios is – how do a given leader react to the support given to him/her? Does the leader have to give a reward to a given supporter/s for supporting him/her? If the leader had to give rewards for the support accorded to him/her by a given individual/groups, then how do he/she deals with his/her detractors or those who opposes him/her? As politicians or political leaders for that matter, do we have to alienate our detractors or to appease them is the best way? If we had to appease our detractors by providing them with inter alia, political positions or money so to relive them from money worries, should that appeasements be on the expenses of our supporters? Can we take our supporters for granted simply because they only support, and can’t oppose?
The above questions are not expected to be answered by a given leader – as this piece of writing is not meant to be personal against a given leader. Rather, my intention is to alert those who takes support for granted, or employing methods of appeasement to silent their detractors that the public knew what it takes to support or opposes them. However, principles should be the key in one’s own destiny. The world might be ‘interests-infested’, but there is a need not to move with the weather. Weather-moving politicians do not work for public good and so the Dictators wherever they may be.
In Sudan for instance, dictators had come and gone, some are on the way, or on the making. Dictatorship is define as ‘an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator, without hereditary ascension’. There are two main types of dictatorship; military dictatorship and secretarial Dictatorship. Notwithstanding, there are two causes of dictatorship; natural dictatorship, and this is found in natural tendency in a given person that embraces dictatorship. And the most dangerous dictatorship is what people makes. A given leader may not have necessary natural tendencies of a dictator, but opportunists politicians can make him/her to become one. During Pharaoh era in Ancient Egypt in the First Dynastic Period, some 3050 to 2890 BC the people of Egypt had thought Pharaoh Naqada III was not only King, but he was also the creator of mankind. This was done in an attempt to spare the lives of the people he was so merciless in killing them ‘ that a creator do not kill and you are the creator’. This kind of glorification went on time and again, until the Pharaoh conceived the idea and begun to address people as if he had in fact created them. He (the Pharaoh King) was once reported to have said in his speech to the people of Egypt “my people, when I created you I didn’t give you the same minds”. In fact God did not give people the same minds, but God was not Pharaoh Naqada III of Egypt, but shared fear or shared opportunism made the people of Egypt to have thought that way. Sudan had lived under both military and secretarial dictatorships since its independence from Anglo-Egyptian Condominium in 1956 – both of which did not benefit Sudan. Support was in fact the key to a given dictator, but opposition was either killed or given top reward. Turabi was rewarded by decreeing Sharia Laws in September 1983 by then President Jaafer Numeri.
Apart from devastating civil wars, Sudan had achieved nothing. However, this is because Sudan had never had any stable governments. Bad governance and discrimination had become the norms in Sudan – hence its produces ‘bad politicians’. Bad politics only produces bad politicians. No matter how long a given successive Khartoum’s regime had stayed in power, the style had been always similar – bad governance and glorifying of a leader. Of course, a leader in Islam is at the same time the Imam and no sensible Muslim dare to take the risk of opposing the Imam. The republican leader Mahmud Mohammed Taha lost his life because his teachings were opposed to the then Imam Ja’afer Numeri’s September laws. The list is long.
Southern Sudan is innocence until proven guilty. We had never saw good governance, we had no clue of what good governance is all about, we grew under bad governments, we had gained nothing under those bad regimes other than how to acquire wealth by all means. Southern Sudan is the victim of Sudan’s Imams. As dictators comes and go, they often identifies their cronies in Southern Sudan (who are not aware of Southernism) . The regimes in Khartoum taught us how to appeases our detractors (sometimes on expenses of our own supporters) if we had no mechanism to silent them. Albeit, we had the CPA (the mother of GoSS) – the most autonomous government to come to Southern Sudan since independence, Khartoum had continued to imposed itself as our ‘Invigilator’. We cannot fire or detain corrupt government official because Khartoum may use them against us, we cannot given Anti Corruption Commission full power to investigate and persecute corrupt officials for the same reason. We have to appease anyone because we are waiting for 2011. We need to be independent first before we begin to persecute ‘corrupt officials’. We do not need to know how much money does one earn monthly so as to build mansions, simply because Khartoum will intervene and use such person against us; we do not need to know how many cars a given official should own, and from which source! Simply because of the same reason. The more our President confirms his ‘Zero Tolerance on Corruption’, the more we see new millionaires officials emerging; the more the Inquiry Committees are formed to probe on matters related to corruption, the more we see the corrupt officials celebrating their innocents. All these matters ends in appeasement on the expense of an innocents Southern Sudanese simply because we fear exposing corrupt officials being exposed for the same reasons above – Khartoum may use the exposed corrupt official. Good things happens and we say well-done to the given leader; and bad things also happens and because we had no power to question, or we are opportunist – we can also say – well-done for good things. Always in the third world politics everything is good so long as the doer is someone with some powers in his hands. Third politics does not entertain the fact that powers are drawn from peoples.
In conclusion, given the above facts, the bigger problem does not lies with our leaders, rather it is our ignorant of what as people are our rights. We are divided between those who betray for living, and those who support to live, and those who in pursuit of their principles can only support what is right in a given situation and condemn what is wrong in another. Like law, politics is too dynamic. What is seen to be right today in politic, can tomorrow be false. Situation is the master of politic and so in the law . Lawmakers can legislate on given behaviour to become criminal, and can (after sometimes the same behaviour may revert to no crime. So as human, we need to support as an appreciation for the job well-done, but must oppose as we are dissatisfied in things that do not meet our expectation. However, opposition is seriously taken than support. As we get more frustrated when we hear our detractors talking badly about us, we often had a nice sleep when someone is said to be praising us. And when the time comes for us to see whether we can give reward in return, we can simply say ‘so-and-so loves me and he/she talks good things about me’ – so how what can I do to him/her! The thinking on how to reward do not live for long before the one who the privileges of being supported start to sleep with nothing about the supporter. In Contrast, opposition however it may be can quickly get to the mind of someone being opposed and often do not allow him/her to have good sleep. In our lives, we think how to rid ourselves of detractors by all means, but when those means do not materialised, we better appease our detractors to keep quite – leaving our supporters to rot in hell. God loves those who worships him and abhor Satan, but the opposite is true with political gurus.
The author is Southern Sudanese Citizen living in Juba, and a delegate to SPLM 2nd National Convention, he could be reach by either of the two e-mails addresses; atenywek@hotmail. com and atenywekateny@ yahoo.co. uk or by the following phones; 0911212517, or 0477111508

Al Paul Run for ESCA-USA Office.

Brother Lu’Bakare and Equatorians at large,
Lu’Bakare, I appreciate a great deal questions you have raised that I am sure majority of people here would agree with you 100% that ESCA-US leaderships structure as well as every one of us has not done our parts, respectively, since the inception of this organization. As for money squander unwisely in expensive hotels, that surely can create an atmosphere of mistrust between ESCA leaderships and its constituents.
As I was contemplating making an announcement to the Election Committees as a candidate for the post, I have thought thoroughly through quiet wide range of issues includes notably weakened ESCA-US and what I believe needed done in order to have it working again for its people here in US and back home. Issues that I believe we are weak on and I would very much like to be part of solution are the following:
1, Lack of leadership communication is what I have identified as a top priority, and here is how I will tackle it if elected:
A, convene a biannual meetings with the states leaders-this can be done either via teleconferences or by gathering in one of the central states. Here together we would be able to; (1) compare notes and see where we are lagging on, (2) identify states that may need some visitations to help sell the important of unity and restore confidence on people to see this organization as something more greater than ourselves or whatever the case maybe.
B, Communicate to you here as frequently as possible where things stand as far as proposal I make to you on one of the following paragraphs. I will make it a habit that every issue arising is responded to without a long delays. Such as matters our people back home are experiencing on daily bases can not go unanswered. I will keep every peace loving people informed of illegal land grapping in Equatoria in the name of libration.
2, Lack of Equatorian participation is a crucial one and ought to be address. It is my hope under my leadership, we will be able to convince people by our actions that ESCA is for real and their involving would help to strength it in order to accomplish what the initiators of this beautiful organization envision the very day they gave their pledges that lead to its creation. Thus, if ESCA mission and vision is ever to be realized, every one of us would have to take ownership of it.
3, Lack of vocal leaderships that won’t afraid of calling spade a spade not the other way around has being a challenge for us. Quiet often we hear cases of Equatorians back home been killed by non-Equatorians and our ESCA leaders say little or nothing at a time. So, I will do my part as I stated on part one section B above to mitigate such suffering.
4, Lack of leaderships commitments and strength. I will create a committee of Equatorian intellectuals from every corners of the world to sever as liaisons dealing with issues our people are facing back home. ESCA will not just going to be focus solely on USA, we are going to expand it. Perhaps, we could hold conference in other contents as well if we are ever going to get serious. As soon as I am elected I will elaborate more on this so we are all on the same page.
How about the use of your contribution money? To spending our hard earned cash in some expensive hotels definitely is not a smart move. I think you ask a very great question and my answer would be that friend once I am elected, we are going to put stop to that once and for all. If we have to hold our conferences at the park (hoping it won’t rain those days) so let be it. I had witnessed a year ago, Bari held theirs at one of the local parks here and I do not know if there were any complaints from the attendees.
As a matter fact, please allow me to share with you a portion of a letter I sent to the Election Committees regarding my intent to run for this post:
I live in Sioux Falls, SD-the city where according to veterans of the city is a place of a birth of ESCA, in theory at least. So, it is only natural that today with the encouragement of my city dwellers, (specifically some of the Equatorians whom I share the city with) do I come to lament the lost pride of those people who helped in crafting ESCA as we know today and their worries over what’s the future of this wonderful organization may hold for all of us, that I choice to come to the conference and run for ESCA Presidency position in hope of revitalizing ESCA marred image.
Although my experience in public work is limited, I know what I can bring to the office of Presidency is my 5 years of students loan industry service, a new energy that I see missing from currents and previous leaders, strategic planning thinking for the way forward I have acquired through years of MBA research and most importantly a determinations fueled by despairs our Equatorian people are going through day in and out. Either, be it of the lack of leadership or other challenges they faced in their daily lives, they need a way out of it and as well as a way forward. I have seen in my own eyes small infractions turned into jail time back home. This should never allowed to continue as if our people do not have us and we need to turn our privileges of living in the western world into proper service for our people.
I am running for a Presidency post to get insecurity situation in Equatoria under control by any means necessary; I will do my best to expose any alleged leaders abuses of their own people and stealing people meager funds, by publically blowing alarms through direct communication with various contributors of such funds; I will introduce a real internet IPO website where vital information will be stored and be used, constructively (such as directing well wishers to donor for our cause online); I will urge for reinstitution of all Equatorians accused of militancy or be welcoming back home; and more importantly if possible I will urge for dismantlement of Equatoria forum and create one that would require only Equatorian memberships subscription. I think currently it is a mess.
As a President, I want to make sure that ESCA is in deed an institution with teeth that can deal head on with about most issues our Land, Institutions, People face in a daily basis. The reason of taking a stronger stands is very simple: our land has been robe from us by non-equatorians, our institutions are very ineffective in combating insecurity, and our people are being subjected to abnormalities, such as harsh humiliations, murder, assassinations by bad elements of visitors from afar and our people are being taken advantage off by unscrupulous businesses from neighboring countries. Since these are men made anomalies, I have not yet to see a crystal reason why we can’t reverse such inhumane practices. And I am confidence together working as a team we will soon turn a tide and free our land and people from despair. Working for the greater mission is at the core of why ESCA was created in the first place-to deal with issues such as these.
Brother Lu’Bakare, hope I answer your questions thoroughly. But if you feel I might have left something out please do not hesitate to drop me another line.
Thanks you all for reading and hope to have your endorsement.
Albert L. Paul

E2K News.

Dear my fellow Equatorians en tal.


As most of you all know we are just thirteen days away, from the 9Th- ESCA-USA annual conference to be held in the great city of salt lake city Utah, needless to say, it is our responsibility to support the conference to be successfully, morally financially, and being there physical, for those whom can't make it to the conference, your support is needed as well, if you have not sent in your support yet it is not too late to do so.

This years ESCA-USA conference will mark if not the beginning or the overhaul of the organization, for the purpose vision, mission and the future of ESCA-USA, it is time now to stop blaming ourselves and take action to revive this great organization, if one asks ESCA-USA had not lived to its mandate and obligations since inception you bet you, but that shouldn't be taken as a recipe for the ward failure, I would rather use the ward mistakes, which we learn thru, it is a process needs collective constructive ideas, and support from every equatorian members, no matter who/she, we elect to the office if we don't support that office, financial physical nothing Will get done, and again the critics can back to the Samoa same blame game ESCA-USA a failure, I advise this if you got an idea bring it and share it with the office instead of standing on the side opposing, you are just opposing yourself because ESCA -USA is you and me together we succeed.

For the records ESCA-USA is an organization to be reckon with, being non profit organizations with tax exempts from IRS 501(c)(3) US. Gov, and the political recognition it have had for the past years, eg, in Iowa 2004 when the Late Dr. John Garang attended the conference and addressed the mass, in 2006 in Arizona Secretary general of SPLA/SPLM, Mr. Pagun Amum was invited and addressed the mass, and in Dallas Texas, some GOSS officials attended and addressed the mass, and so many others, this folks are all achievements need to be recognized, and put to book for those who had served this organization in the past, they deserve credit by putting their efforts and time to do the small they had done, when are we gonna start thanking ourselves?

If you you have had not been to any of ESCA-USA conferences in the past before, I bet you this time, you need to go because this conference like any others will be different, as I mentioned before it is the year ESCA-USA is going to be overhauled, and elect new leaders for the Board of Directors and the Executives branch to carry on with the mission, vision, and the future of ESCA-USA. As was mentioned by the organized committee in Utah last week, that this time we are expecting about 22 dignitaries members from the GOSS, Equatoria in particular, which will include the Governor of CES. It is time for ya all to go and interact with this great people for the pressing issues facing greater Eqautoria today, political, socially, and economically, you dare miss this opportunity, hope to see ya all in the great city of Salt lake city Utah. United we stand, divided we fall.


Regards.

Edward Zowe
Acting president/ Secretary general BOD, ESCA-USA

Why is that Sudanese People are run from Church to Church, does it mean that there is Some interest behind that? God Forgive them, they do not know ur

Dear all:
Lutheran Church/ Lutheran World Federation has written to Congress to declare August 30th 2009 as a day of prayers for Sudan and Southern Sudan in particular for the tribal and other conflicts in the regions including Darfur. Sudanese Community in NC will all congregate at Emmanuel Lutheran Church that day. Prayers will begin at 12:00AM. For those who wish to join us next Sunday, here bellow is the address:
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
1401 Heathcliff Rd
High Point, NC 27262-7451
Ph: 336 882-2119
The Pastor’s name: Pastor Sue

Gov. Malik Agar for Presidential Candidate in 2010.

SPLM Should Nominate Governor Malik Agar as Its Presidential Candidate In 2010. Eight months from now Sudan will hold a national election and SPLM as one of the main national political parties is expected to provide a candidate for the president of the republic. For the last two years the topic of who SPLM should nominate as a national presidential candidate has been gaining intense speculation among the SPLM supporters. A lot of ordinary citizens who have voiced their opinions on the issue differed very sharply. Some argue that president Salva Kiir as a party chairman is the de facto presidential candidate for the SPLM party. Others like me suggest that, because of several reasons that will be outlined later in this paper, the SPLM can have a different presidential candidate. An attempt to nominate the candidate by the top leadership of the party since the time of the 2nd national convention last year has not been forthcoming. Senior SPLM officials have been giving incoherent and sometimes contradictory statements about the issue. Several closed door meetings that have been convened by the political bureau to settle the issue have always ended without a communiqué. Though I will not indulge in allegations and hearsay about what happens in those meetings, it is certain that there is some disagreement among the political bureau members over the issue.So why is it very difficult for the SPLM leadership to decide on who the presidential candidate should be? The conditions surrounding the SPLM presidential candidature for 2010 election are very complex and involving a very critical political risk. The main prevailing reality is the uncertain post referendum status of the country. The chairman and his two Southern deputies (Riek and Wani), aware of the fact that about 90% of South Sudanese have resolved to vote for an independent South Sudan come 2011, do not see their political future best served when they contest a seat for the president of the soon-to-be former Sudan.For instance, if President Kiir contests for presidency, it will mean that he either wins and become the president of the republic for eight months (May-December 2010) or he loses and become the head of opposition group in the Sudan parliament for the same eight months. Either way, he would still resign and come back to the South as an ordinary citizen after January 2011.The same case applies to both Dr Riek and Hon. James Wani.The power sharing protocol of the CPA and both the interim constitutions of South Sudan and that of the whole Sudan do not allow any candidate to run for two offices.Therefore, President Kiir cannot run for the presidency of the whole Sudan and that of the Government of South Sudan at the same time. Neither can President Kiir run for the post of the president of the whole Sudan and still be appointed the first vice president in case he loses. According to article 2.3.7 of the CPA protocol on power sharing, the post of the first vice president will automatically go to the elected president of South Sudan:2.3.7 The President shall be elected in national elections, the timing of which shall be subject to the agreement of the two parties. The President elect shall appoint two Vice Presidents, one from the South and the other from the North. If the President-elect is from the North, the position of the First Vice President shall be filled by the person who has been elected to the post of President of the Government of Southern Sudan, as the President''s appointee to the said position. In the event that a person from the South wins the Presidential elections, the President-elect shall appoint the First Vice President from the North. All the other provisions in this agreement relating to the presidency shall continue to apply.It is therefore evident that running for the presidency of the whole Sudan will involve a huge sacrifice of one’s post in the GoSS on the part of our big three Southern leaders (Kiir, Riek and Wani).That political sacrifice will definitely be preceded by unwillingness on the part of whoever will be asked to do so. As witnessed during the two-day standoff prior to the 2nd SPLM national convention in Juba when there were allegations that two of the three positions of vice chairperson would be scrapped, these leaders are disinclined to relinquish their current positions, both in the party and in the GoSS, for less. None of them will be willing to risk either a defeat in the presidential contest in 2010 or a resignation from the seat of the president (in case SPLM wins) in 2011 when South Sudanese chooses separation. Any attempt by the party to force one to make that sacrifice will likely result in a political discord that we Southerners are not prepared for at this critical moment. If we want to sustain the current state of harmony in the SPLM and in the GoSS until 2011, a compromise that preserves the current leadership arrangement must always be sought as in the case of the 2nd convention.On the other hand, SPLM has a very great following in the North. The Nuba Mountain, the Southern Blue Nile, people from the east, Nubians, Darfur: in short all the marginalised people in the North look to SPLM to bring them freedom and equality that it promises in its manifesto. SPLM cannot therefore dare to dishonour its commitment to them and throw its support on the NCP candidate on the pretext of the so-called CPA partners as some people allege. Although the SPLM Southern sector does not have high stake in the 2010 national election because of the fact that Southerners will have the alternative of voting for a separate state in 2011, SPLM must provide a competent contender to challenge Bashir in the North. I therefore strongly feel that his Excellency Malik Agar Eyare, the Governor of Blue Nile state and the vice chairman of SPLM is the best SPLM candidate to challenge Omar Bashir in the North. He can also sweep all the Southern votes. Comrade Malik Agar is a dedicated hero who has proved throughout our liberation struggle that he is ready to fight for the right of the marginalised people, both in the South and North. Since the time he decided to interrupt his doctoral thesis in 1980s in order to join the SPLA, he has never wavered even when his entire region of Blue Nile was lost to the enemy in early 1990s. Whatever the result of Southern referendum will be in 2011, I am confident Mr Agar will continue to champion the cause of the marginalised people in the North. Cde Malik Agar is best suited to lead the SPLM in 2010 national election because of the following reasons among others: First, Gov Malik Agar is from Southern Blue Nile, one of the marginalised areas in the North. Entrusting him with SPLM presidential candidature will reassure millions of SPLM supporters in the North who felt frustrated that SPLM has abandoned their cause and is only advocating for Southern cause (referendum). By nominating one of their own leaders as a presidential contender on behave of SPLM, the marginalised people in Blue Nile and Nuba Mountain will feel honoured and they will vote in large numbers for SPLM in the parliamentary seats and in that of the president. It is only when SPLM win a majority in state parliaments of both Blue Nile and Nuba Mountain (South Kordofan) that a better deal can be made for those areas in the popular consultation.Second, many SPLM members in the North who are concerned of voting for a Southerner in 2010 election (because they expect the South will separate in 2011) will have their fear relieved by nominating Cde Malik Agar as the candidate. If SPLM lost the election and the South Sudan vote for separation, Mr Agar will remain the head of official opposition party (SPLM) in the Northern parliament. He will then continue to fight for the right of the marginalised people in the North. He will also be a possible challenger to the NCP candidates in the subsequent elections. In the event that SPLM win the elections, Mr Agar will become the president of the republic and appoint the elected president of GoSS as his first vice president as agreed in the CPA provision. He can then implement the SPLM vision in the North and still grant Southerners their right to peaceful and friendly separation when they choose to do so in 2011. In this scenario, the two SPLM parties with the same vision will be in power in the two neighbouring countries. It may sound elusive but SPLM winning cannot be written off especially if the elections are free and fair. I can see a possibility of SPLM wining at least 35% votes from both North and South. The NCP can win 40% which will mostly be from the North. The other Northern oppositions combined can win 25%. In this case there will be a rerun for the presidential seat by the NCP and SPLM candidates for the winner to reach the 50% +1. With endorsement of anti-NCP oppositions in the North, the SPLM candidate can finally reach that wining threshold. Third, the current rant among the NCP cadres and their proxies that SPLM has squandered $6 billion and therefore is unfit to rule will not be used effectively against Cde Malik Agar in the presidential campaigns. He is a governor of Blue Nile and therefore is not responsible for 50% oil share. His state currently experiences relative peace and he has succeeded in the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation in the state. Moreover, he will without question sweep the votes in all the Southern states, Kordofan and his home state of Blue Nile.Fourth, many people in the Nuba Mountain and the Southern Blue Nile do not understand the CPA protocol on Nuba Mountain and the Southern Blue Nile. They are not aware of what the “popular consultation” means to them. In her testimony to the US senate foreign relation committee on July 30, Susan D. Page, NDI (National Democratic Institute) Regional Director for southern and east Africa, underscored the gravity of this misinformation among the people NDI interviewed in both states as follows:“Misinformation is widespread, including the number of positions for which people will be voting; in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, a number of people believe erroneously that they will also vote in a referendum. Without this option, a number of participants claimed they would ‘join the South, declare independence, or go back to war.’”If Gov Malik Agar is nominated as the SPLM candidate for 2010 election, the surge of election aids, election observers, national and international media which will flock the region will help educate the people about elections and the stake in popular consultation. Voters in the Nuba Mountain and Southern Blue Nile need to be informed before the elections that it is not them but their elected representatives who will determine their fate in the popular consultation. They will therefore have to elect the right representatives who will represent their legitimate views when the popular consultation comes. In addition to that, Gov Agar’s candidacy will bring intense media scrutiny and the presence of large number of election observers to the two states since they will be his power base. The spot light that will surround elections there will make it hard for NCP to rig them. This will facilitate a large win by the SPLM there. In conclusion, a lot of people from Nuba Mountain and Southern Blue Nile feel that they did not get a fair deal in the CPA. They feel that they are deceived by the SPLM Southern sector. I was almost in tears when I read the following comment from a SPLA veteran from the Nuba Mountain who expressed that frustration:“NUBA PEOPLE LET US NOT BE FOOLED TWICE. We joined the SPLM/A because we had the same grievances, we hoped we would achieve exactly what they (South) have achieved: freedom and equality. But unfortunately when the peace was signed in Naivaisha, they gave us the so-called ‘Popular Consultation’ and took for themselves a right to independence by voting in 2011. We expect them to cooperate with us for the development of the Nuba, but it seems they have turned deaf ears. Nuba therefore does not need to worry because they (South) have not yet crossed the river. If their boats begin to sink again, then help from the Nuba Mountains will also be absent. Some of us who fought and have got all our bodies filled with wounds are still shocked and crying in our hearts for the cheating that was done by our leaders in the south. Their selfishness will not be forgotten by the Nuba. South Sudan, we are still in the river swimming together. Do not rejoice. The crocodile (NCP) is still pushing the boat”.Despite this bitter frustration, many people from that region still genuinely believe only the SPLM carries their last hope. The mammoth and emotional welcome they endowed to President Kiir during his visit to Kordofan in July and to Blue Nile this month is a proof of their timeless unwavering support for the party. “He is our sign of hope,” one tearful supporter of SPLM was reported to have said about President Kiir during his visit to Blue Nile. “I believe there is hope in our country and comrade Kiir and the SPLM will bring it”, added the supporter. At this critical moment, just 16 months before the Southern referendum and eight months before the elections, SPLM in general and the Southern sector in particular must do all it can to help the marginalised people in the North (particularly the people in the two contested areas) to fulfil their hopes. Strengthening the SPLM Northern sector through these forthcoming elections to champion their cause (even after the South separates) is the best way to help them at the moment. I therefore feel that this can best be achieved if their tested hero, Comrade Malik Agar Eyare, is nominated to lead the SPLM in the presidential elections

photos of the Equatorian members run off for the South sudanese office in Seattle WA.

there is for photos come soon to the to ESCA-WA blogger.

love you all

Message to Equatorian Folks

I hope all is going well with you. We had had Dr. John Garang's Memorial service held yesterday at the Church By Side of the Road. Many turned up from the Nuer and Dinka side with the exception of 4 Equatorian.

This is really a challenge to us. I was very disappointed in our Equatorians to see our row were empties. Our numbers are great in Seattle. This show that we are the most in discriminating against others. Non of the Chapters representatives from the Equatoian were even there. Why did they take the office then if they cannot do the job they are call to?

We seemed to claim ourselves as the best people in the south Sudan, but without action. We know best how to gossip and blame others. How do we think that without our availability we can be known to other communities? We are like bugging dogs who never bite. Your personal hatred for Dinka will not help if you don't come forward and present yourself. Wisdom is better than folly.

Unless we leave such weakness of our proudness. We will never get anywhere. We will be always second or even third class in our own state. This is true and fact. We have nothing only hatreds for others with no confrontation. Who cares, if you are angry and don't stand up for yourselves? Our personal problem should not be a public or a community matters.

I am so distressed and fed up with this continue unnecessary behaviour of our Equatorian Folks. We are only strong amongst our fellows Equatorian, but coward to confront or meet the reality. All we know is talking about "De amulu de, da amulu da; Jenge del ma aruf haza". But Jenge are going ahead of us despite what we think of them. They are coming out of Mura each day and turning us into Mura. What do we really want? Do we want to remain Abit (slaves) as Arabs says?

Words without action has no effect. Now election for the presidential office of the South Sudanese Community in Washington State is coming up. If we remain with the same behaviour, we shouldn't even expect of taking that office. Our fellows Bar el Gazal and Upper Nile States will not vote for you as they have their own people and are well organised. And we will never get the benefits from the community. But they will take all the advantages of using our names and numbers to fill the population of the South Sudanese here in Washington State. The benefits are for them.

Stopped crying and blaming. Instead to support our brothers and sisters who are there willing to stand up and represent us. Come out from your caves and speak up. Your voice and vote will make a different on the community. Make yourself available!

Alex Labal