Thursday, May 5, 2016

Despite PEACE parts of South Sudan still cry in Silence.



By Emma Nyaraparan

Why is there continued arrest, torture, harassment and oppression of Kajo Kejians by the SPLA in Kajo Keji.
Massive arrest of youths have been going on since right after the Easter , several youths have been arrested and put under custody at the Mundari SPLA barracks. (there are rumors of other having been beaten and tortured to death)
Many people have undergone this life threatening scenario but are quite suffering quietly in silence our youths are being targeted by the soldiers.
Till now no leader has risen to say anything about this inhumane acts. Am asking when the politicians have failed as we all know where are the following.
1-County commissioner and his administration.
2-Local leaders and traditional elders
3-Bishop and church leaders
4-Youth Leaders/association
Why should we keep watching this torture of our own and keep quite without action. Peace has come, let it be left to prevail both in spirit and actions.
Why are the youths in Kajo keji being targeted. If it is the rumors that there are IO in KK why not go and look for where the IOs are camping and deal with them.Why are the army dealing with us the youths who are civil with no attachment to any armed groups, If the IO are there as said let them be frank to us and declare were they belong whether to Riek or are independent so that a negotiation can be started like what happened in Yambio.
Let those who have been entrusted powers stand up now and take a lead to ensure the youths and people of Kajo keji are free from torture, harassment beating and above all oppression. If it means rebels are their they do not stay at home they stay in the bushes besides not everybody is a rebel besides it is SEASON OF PEACE. who else is not aware when Transitional goverment is taking shape already.. It is high time to set the people free to celebrate and enjoy Peace.
It is high time the military leadership intervenes and stop the army from their brutal acts, it is possible that such acts are probably perpetrated by individuals in the army to defame and destroy the name of the whole army
Why are citizens being harassed and tortured in moments of peace.WE WANT PEACE NOW.
Let it stop as youths we are not into violence we stand for peace, freedom, respect of human rights and the rule of law.
#FreeKKyouthsNow #FreeKKyouthsNow #FreeKKyouthsNow #FreeKKyouthsNow
With a broken heart for the youths in brutal hands.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Machar Returns, What Next?

By Emma Nyaraparan.

Machar has finally arrived Juba after missing a series of datelines amidst international pressure 
The Long awaited return of Machar has put the citizens in a dire need of peace.
His return is associated with a massive improvement in both economic situation  and security sector reforms. Citizens had for long been waiting for peace due to wide spread suffering all over the country as a result of the war that started in 2013.
Kiir and Riek are expected immediately to form the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
Machar's Return has been seen as the only stabling block to the peace process, will his arrival meet the expectations  of the citizens? What happens next as he is already in Juba together with Kiir and all other partners to the peace pack. Is war finally over? 
What will a government of Riek and Kiir look like after more than 2 years of war?

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Kiir and Riek Can not make Peace alone.

By Emma Nyaraparan
As the nation wait today Note that Kiir and Riek alone can not bring Peace.
Make peace ur self be a Peace Lover, preach it and practice it.
Thinking that the two leaders will bring Peace is just a lie we all have a role to play.
We must reject those who want to use us to work against Peace. Do not accept in anyway to support any form of violence.
Peace is about to come only if all of us embrace it.
If we leave it as something for Kiir and Riek to bring it will not come. Let it begin right from our hearts we spread it to our neighbours, friends, enemies and to the Nation at large.
The time is now forget the past
Do not accept to be use for any form of violence.
Be Genius, embrace PEACE, talk PEACE, practice PEACE, Pass PEACE.
PEACE begins with you and in you.
Nyaraparan Foundation. For PEACE.

Monday, April 18, 2016

South Sudan historic music battle, Who won?

WJ and Silver sings together at the end of the battle
WJ and Silver sings together at the end of the battle.
By Emma Nyaraparan
When skyline international promotions broke the news of a music battle between Silver x and WJ it was the talk of the city it dominated the social media everyone among the youths at least said something about it.
After the battle in the two venues of Vegas and Mask those in attendance including the ones who did not were expectant of the results.
Skyline’s CEO and His organizing team had earlier in put their analysis some of which are similar to mine but I looked far ahead to give much more detailed analysis.
SilverX Real Names Ceaser OkutaMalish is the boss of the Holy land family, he is known for his popular songs. Bamba ta Deng, DuniaKarabu, Wele, and the Fetisusokol hit that broughhime to fame.
Silver started his music in his home area before moving to the capital Juba he has performed in sveral east African towns and cities. Silver is also among the first south Sudanese artist to travel to the diaspora because of music he has recently been to several Australian towns to perform during the festive season.
WJ his name is Wonlok James he is the King of the Lokwilili kingdom and former Freedom boys singer he started his music probably way back in 2002 before the CPA and later formed the Lokwilili Kingdom. He is known for songs such as Lotole, Salama, Ana bi ruwa wen, Lokwilil, Season of peace, and the recent one Kafukele. He is currently the ambassador of Save the children international campaigning for children to go to school.
Looking at the battle allow me take you through and find out who did better that the other in the domains mentioned. This analysis is also to help artist to get familiar what to do not only in battles but also music performances and concerts. If any music  battles have ever been organized here in south Sudan it has never been as heavy as this!
  1. Entry:
Silver X
Did not impress the crowd his entry onto the stage with a new song  a riddim produced in Asylum records(Also used in the song ArabiMafii) the song is not mastered and not known to the crowd,
This gave a bad impression as attraction at first sight counts. Attracting the fans right away adds value.
Stage entry requires a song that is your anthem something well known to your fans this is to help drive the fans crazy from the start. Such that the rest will be a work over.
WJ
His entry was massive he engaged the crowd from the start this made the crowd to sing with him throughout his performances in both shows.
On day one he failed to control the mic while sampling his song Salama in his first stage appearance at Vegas it made a lot of hissing sound, this might not be his fault perhaps but it was visible that he wasn’t bothered.
Silver X
Foreign and common Karaoke dancers with same dancing styles they over crowded the stage as they were more than the space making some of them to be watching instead of dancing.
It seem the dancers did not practice with silver as each danced his/her own style. Their strokes sometimes were parallel to the beats of the songs.
WJ.
He has professional rare dancers well dressed with a LokwililiKindom design it earned him marks as the boys really knew what to do as they danced to the tune of a particular beat. The dancers being south Sudanese also added some marks for WJ. Only that he was not gender sensitive all dancers were male.
Silver X
In the first appearance of Silver on the stage he showed a visibly scared face he was not in his usual mood. Whether he feared or was stressed only him and God knows.
His stage approach was not of the Silver I knew, he didn’t storm the stage and get cheered by his fans or the crowd as usual. Whether it was history working against him no one knows
As usual Silver does not tune his performance to the meaning of the lyrics and the beats of the song. Sometimes he jumped and bounced forth outside the beats. Something he later improve on the second day at Mask.
In Vegas Silver’s Malakfe song stormed the crowd, there was a poor coordination between silver and his DJ making him sometimes to go off key but every time this happened he covered it up something a real artist is to do.
When he appeared in his branded chair Silver pulled the crowd it drove the fans crazy as his bouncers carried him while on stage. Though he seem not interested in it a reason possibly he did not bring it on day two.
At Mask silver brought Tobbee and YP Thiara to join him on the stage even after singing their collaboMasura. The two artist who broke up with Holy land years ago remained on stage sometimes without concentrating on staging.
WJ
In terms of staging WJ nailed it he actually knew what the fans needed, he chanted slogans of peace and love something that clinked the crowd to his music
He was to the beat and meaning of the song, he put relevant emotions as in lyrics of the songs. This is exactly what the crowd needed this was one factor the put WJ far ahead of Silver.
Although his song Lotole did not try to catch the crowd at Vegas he was flexible to push and suit it to the fans, it showed genius in him.
  1. Dressing and design:
Silver X
He managed to fit in something, he had some perfect combination in his two appearances of day one. Silver actually got some of his self-designed cloth was superb right from day one to two. Only is other combination of black was a nightmare. I think it was problem of choice in regards to color.
The dress code of Tobee and YP Thiara betrayed the Holy land boss it was not typical of a battle staging. Why did Silver have them? If it was to give him support he missed it was a Piri-piri to the eye.
WJ
Here he was off the hook, WJ seemed to have not valued or considered any importance in dressing the Lokwilili Camp were not changing their staging attires per each performance.
WJ appeared twice on stage with the same attire in both shows unlike Silver. Despite that it was not a classical attire he was putting on ordinary wears. Whether he wanted to remain simple or whatever it was out of context that time of a battle.
  1. PEACE and Reconciliation
Some people come to such shows to make friends, nurse trauma, and look for healing and reconciliation prospects they come to kill stress enjoy life and interact with new people irrespective of where they come from. They come looking for hope. How did each artist contribute in building peace?
Silver.
He did not do much to contribute towards peace and reconciliation, he was self-centered and concentrated in talking about himself. Instead of caressing the fans with healing words he bombarded them with his achievements, plans and self-appraisal something that did not go well with the fans at Vegas, people are interested in knowing something new and unique always people do not want to hear about plans or achievements they are perceived as self-praise beside it is the fans who have brought those achievements making you to plan.
WJ
He was genius and mature he knows well what south Sudanese need in regards to Peace, it was in his performance throughout as he threw words of “Peace and Love, one love” etc. he focused in what the fans needed it gave him credit.
Although we don’t know what the organizers when through back stage every person in attendance of the battle was impressed with what happened at Mask as WJ performed Silver’s songs as Silver also did the same. When they joint together and performed their songs it received a loud thumps up and cheering from the crow, all were impressed it show a sign of togetherness a spirit and message of peace love and reconciliation. It signaled that nothing is permanent in the name of peace it came at the right time when…….!!
When they sung Sot Talaga by CJ Oman and Celebrate by Kembe it became time to recognize the legendry version of the music industry in this nations. It also signaled that in the music industry some artist know well which songs are hits and well taken by the fans.

Organizers.
Big up to Skyline and all the system in it nothing has ever happened as such before, it is the biggest and record holding event in the entertainment industry ever held.
It is not easy to bring this two giants together especially that they have been in differences for so long.
Skyline has been existing by name in the entertainment for some time without doing much but this concert has put them up on the chart. It was perfect although there were delays I still think it was due to back stage debate as in battles always the camps disagree on several things.
Next time try to improve security in and around as many people entered either at zero cost or reduced fee. Besides did the security know someone was raped on the first day of the battle???
MC
The combination of the MCs was perfect but they were time consuming in some incidences one showed biasness at a time which sometimes influenced the choice of the crowd cheering
DJs& Sound.
The Disco Jokers knew their job they tuned and remixed the songs to the tone the fans expected. Although the DJ for Silver was not all that….he was good maybe it was because of being new to the two venues.
You now know who did better than the other I give you the freedom to pass your own verdict.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Tribalism a killer disease without a Drs Diagnosis. The case of south Sudan.



By Emma Nyaraparan
You will wonder if Tribalism will one day in any way come to an end in this Nation , when you take a look at how things are going it is possible to predict we are heading towards a direction in which tribalism will one day swallow all of us.
Do we have love for other tribes? Do people interact freely when among other tribes
Stereotypes exist among all of us, we talk ill of the other tribe, we mention bad things about them. We treat them with scorn due to the fact that they are not from our tribe. We are indeed tribalist in nature
Considering the nature of groupings/organizations, associations and prevailing circumstances if no change happens within a blink of an eye nothing good is closer to ending the deep rooted tribal sentiments we are divided, in all angles including churches, residential areas most are based on tribes, some ministries are set up with a tribal foundation, everything is becoming tribal
It is shameful that tribalism is taking a deep root into our hearts in all angle manifested through things as:
1 Dinka Congregation, Nuer Congregation, Kenisa Nyangwara, Kenisa Kuku, Kenisa Moru, .2-Suk Zande, Jebel Dinka, Hila Nuer, Camp Kuku, Acholi Inn, Juba Nabari, How do you expect PEACE with all this deep rooted Tribal sentiments,
It is only in South Sudan were Communities (A particular Tribe) celebrates appointment of someone from their area into the government as if that individual was appointed to serve that single tribe. how is it possible to have reforms when we are defending our tribal interest. We line up behind our politicians even if we know well they are wrong, we support the although they have committed crimes, we rally for them to give them moral to steal and be corrupt. What are we?
We will Perish never and never will we enjoy the fruits of our sweat that brought up this Nation. As tribalism continue to finish us the Vultures are busy Taking their share.
#This is my country

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

The Implications of the Uganda-South Sudan conflict on the boarder communities


The Major disputed area[ Photo The Niles]
By Alfred Geri

On either side of the border between Moyo District and Kajo-Keji County live two ethnic communities: the Kuku and the Ma’di. Both communities have coexisted together for many years and have developed kinship relationships through intermarriages. Many members from these two communities speak or hear each other’s language. This is especially true of the Kuku. Having lived among the Ma’di for years, most of their members speak the Ma’di language almost as fluently as the native speakers. The largely peaceful coexistence between these communities was unfortunately ruptured in early September. The Ma’di, infuriated over arrest of their leaders over border disputes, went on a hunting mission. From house to house, they searched for Kuku residents. Objective: beat or burn them, set their houses ablaze and loot their shops and other businesses. Hundreds of innocent Kuku were sent scampering for their dear lives. Within a twinkle of an eye, the border town of Jale was streaming with hundreds of horror-stricken people belonging to all ages and walks of life. Pupils and students slipped away from their schools through bushy paths for fear of being clubbed down by fellow schoolmates and blood-thirsty villagers marauding along the roads. Appeals for calm fell on deaf ears. News of casualty figures began to filter through, infuriating the Kuku communities the more. Reprisal attacks reportedly sent many Ma’di residents pouring into Adjumani, a district curved out of Moyo in the late 90’s. Luckily for them, there were already many humanitarian aid agencies there looking after South Sudanese refugees following the apparent failed coup attempt in mid December last year. For the Kuku, they had to rely on the intervention of their kinsmen across the globe and faith-based institutions for immediate help. As the dust settles down, one wonders what the relationship between the two ethnic communities of Ma’di and Kuku will be like. Will the latter move back to settle and resume their businesses in Moyo District? How about students? Will their parents accept to allow them to return and continue with their education in schools there? Will the students themselves even accept to go back even if their parents allowed them to? Will the Ma’di openly welcome back the Kuku whom they had moreover regarded as unwelcome guests? Will members of these two neighbourly communities ever coexist peacefully again without further resurgence of border-related conflict between Kajo-Keji County and Moyo District? All these are relevant questions aimed at assessing the implications of the recent conflict between the two border communities. The current effort by the Interdenominational Committee to reconcile the two communities is a move in the right direction. As earlier on stated, the two people are not only neighbours, but they have largely woven many kinship relationships through intermarriages over the years. It might not be farfetched to argue that many members of the two communities belong to the same speech community: many Kuku, by virtue of their immersion into the Ma’di people, speak the Ma’di language as fluently as the natives. In fact, children born of Kuku parents in Moyo District find it almost hard to express themselves meaningfully well in their own Kuku language! Despite the current efforts aimed at resolving the root causes of this conflict, suspicion and mistrust between members of these communities are likely to continue for some time. Genuine relationship that has otherwise existed for many years between neighbours and friends will likely be watered down by prejudices, stereotypes, suspicion and mistrust. Pieces of information considered sensitive might be passed to other members of the same community for attention and possible action. For instance, many Kuku patients might feel apprehensive being treated by medical personnel belonging to the Ma’di ethnic group. This is especially true if such personnel don’t communicate responsibly well with their clients. One immediate, if not obvious, implication of this conflict is the reduction in the volume of business in Moyo town. For many years, businesses have largely been dominated by the Kuku people. With almost all of them having been forced back to Kajo-Keji County, it will take some time for Ma’di with entrepreneurial skills to come up. Even if they do, demand for their goods and services is likely to shrink given the visibly diminished population available. It is common knowledge that businesses thrive where there is a big population. Other nationals, be they Ugandans or foreigners, might find the low population and attitude of the locals a big disincentive to business and investment. They might opt to relocate their businesses to other parts of Uganda and South Sudan. By the way, some might even consider moving their businesses to Kajo-Keji! Before the Kuku were forced out of Moyo, there were several economic mergers around the businesses they were operating. Such mergers included building of houses for rent, development of private primary and secondary schools, lodges, restaurants, pubs, video halls and soccer halls, to name but a few. With thousands of Kuku residents brutally forced out of the district, Moyo town is likely to witness its first ever historic economic recession. Many Ma’di landlords will find themselves awakened to the rude shock of falling demand for their commercial buildings, residential houses and lodges. The hustle and bustle that usually characterised Moyo town might not continue. Many schools in and around that town might become empty buildings as Kuku students opt for academic institutions further afield. Consequently, many teachers and support staff are likely to be given the boot early next year. After all, where will the school proprietors get the much needed money to pay salaries of their staff? Bars and restaurants, usually frequented by streams of Kuku youth, will most likely become like purgatories: existence of a painfully eerie silence due to lack of many customers. In summary, Moyo town risks becoming a ghost town in the near future if bad blood continues to flow between these communities. Kuku will undoubtedly pay the price, too. It may not be easy for them to access educational and health services in Moyo. Even if the conflict is over, many Kuku will still continue to experience some phobia. “Will I really be safe to pass through Moyo?” “Will the Ma’di not attack us again if we resume our businesses in Moyo?” “How will the Ma’di teachers and health personnel treat our students and patients in their schools and clinics?” These are likely questions many Kuku will continue asking themselves. Meanwhile, back home, many will have been persuaded to drop the idea of ever thinking about going back to reside, do business, study or seek medical services in Moyo. “Si’da na gwe nageleÅ‹,” is likely going to be the soothing advice for all those still “thirsty” to continue living, working, studying or acquiring services of all sorts in Moyo. If those forced out are “contented” to settle among their fellow Kuku people, they will have to pay relatively heavily for goods and services brought into the county through long detour routes, some of which tend to be impassable during the rainy season. Anyhow, whichever is the case, there is always an opportunity cost for a decision made and implemented. The decision to wage war against the innocent Kuku people, sugar-coated as “peaceful demonstration,” will inevitably have far-reaching implications on the Madi society. The Kuku, too, will have a rough ride for some time. The masterminds of the Kuku expulsion scheme have apparently killed their own political lives, much to the glee of their political opponents.
Republished from Paranetlokk

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

A call to ban operations of Bakulu coachs in South Sudan .



The Bakulu Bush that crashed

By Mogga Emmanuel
The recent accident that resulted to the lost of several lives on the Juba-Nimule highway is the latest event of shock and sorrow to south Sudanese and its neighbors.
This is a very big loss to south Sudan and its neighbors we can’t afford to lose such a number at ago only to accidents that could be avoided or at least minimized.
The ministry concerned with road transport and the relevant ministries must ban the operation of such a bus company in the republic of south Sudan because it beyond tolerance and the effects are now to much
We can’t continue to allow this company operate at the expense of our lives, life is so precious that we need to guard it well  
It is not in our interest to see every year  accidents caused by this company take several lives of our fellow citizens and our brothers and sisters from the neighboring countries
Accidents happen but this one of Bakulu seems to be taking us beyond to look into why always this bus company causing us this great loses
This is not the first accident involving Bakulu bus there are several others that took scores of lives
 In 2011 at least 28 people, 11 Sudanese nationals and 17 Ugandans were killed when two buses collided at a checkpoint approximately 40km east of South Sudan’s capital, Juba.
The accident which occurred along the 192km Juba-Nimule road involved coaches from the Bakulu and Baby coach companies
Again recently an Isuzu brand bus belonging to Bakulu Bus services, registration number UAN 281Z also had a head-on collision with Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance Registration number NGO 2910 RSS belonging to Nimule Hospital.
In less than two months Bakulu Coach is involved in a nasty accident. In July, a bus belonging to the same company injured 16 passengers along Atiak-Nimule road. This month alone, several passengers were injured along Gulu-Atiak road, when the bus they were travelling in overturned.
The fatal accident on Monday morning on the Juba-Nimule highway, involving a Bakulu bus registration number UAS 073P that collided with a trailer registration number UAD 304E, from Kampala side. Is said to have taken lives of at least 35 Ugandans and 15 south Sudanese.

The Bus had driven only 10 kilometers from Juba when it caused the fatal accident, the reports of the number of people who perished in this accident is still conflicting media houses give different reports  but all we know is that out of all the passengers on board less than ten are said to have survived
Police must launch an investigation immediately but whatever the results Bakulu bus company must go and leave other companies to the business it is too much we can’t continue to watch
The issue of lives lost due to Bakulu accidents is too much as a citizen I call on the government to ban Bakulu before it claims more lives in the nearest future, the more we continue to see Bakulu operate the sooner we shall shade tears again.
The license of this company must be terminated with immediate effect if lives of travelers is to be saved
It is time for the government to scrutinize and investigate such companies like Bakulu buses that cause innocent people to die always in the big numbers
I hope my cry and that of many others like me is heard to not allow lives to be lost cheaply to thus kampala bound Bakulu bus. The writer is a activitist in Juba he can be reached on mogga4news@gmail.com