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 nageleŋ,” 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

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

Uganda, South Sudan signs peace deal on boarder dispute

A south sudanese woman of the Kuku tribe takes cover 

as her house was set ablaze by angry Citizens of moyo

By Mogga Emmanuel Benaih
After lives lost, properties destroyed, houses burnt people tortured, items looted activities disrupted and above all people displaced and expelled from moyo district of Northern Uganda
A peace deal have finally been reached by the negotiating parties of both sides, the deal signed in Uganda's moyo district where the crisis started was signed Saturday 20/09/2014

The main resolution was that all stakeholders should call on the fighting communities to stop fighting each other with immediate effect. Secondly, the two governments agreed to deploy joint security forces to patrol the Uganda - South Sudan border so as to prevent further fighting. The other important resolution was that the national governments of both countries should expedite the work on the border verification and demarcation process.
 The Ugandan delegation was led by General Moses Ali, the 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, while the South Sudan side was led by Honorable Sube Samuel Manase, the Central Equatoria Minister of Info
rmation. I was asked to join the team from South Sudan side to represent the churches from Kajo-Keji.


However the question remains whether the common population will be able to adopt to the peace deal given the level of destruction and loses entered into
One elder after having heard the news of a peace deal welcomed the news but said he doubts its taking effect soon.

The bishop of Kajo keji county who was part of the delegation asked people to continue to pray that both sides will accept to cease hostilities.
The boarder issue between this two areas is not new, it dates way back and in several occasions discussions have been on going with several committees formed since 2009 but it has become a recurring issue this time taking a deadly trend that result to killing of many including destruction and burning of houses.
it is said that the president of South Sudan shall be meeting with the Ugandan president earlier next month to discuss and resolve the boarder dispute that has persisted for long within this two sisterly/brotherly areas.

Additional reporting adopted from Paranet lo Kajo Keji 

Equatorian soldiers ‘disarmed’, troops sent to Terekeka,Konga reaafirms stand on Federalism

Central Equatoria Governor Clement Wani Knga

Central Equatoria Governor Clement Wani Konga appeared publically yesterday for the first time after reports of tensions between him and the president. He denied mobilizing his own militia while also questioning ongoing disarmament of Equatorians in the armed forces, which he claimed was ongoing.
The defiant governor stated, “Nobody can sit on my head. Nobody can sit on the head of Equatorians.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of SPLA troops arrived from the capital Juba to Konga’s hometown of Terekeka on Wednesday night, a local source there told Radio Tamazuj.
“Me I am not afraid. Nobody can sit on my head. Nobody can sit on the head of Equatorians. We are all equal. What good will you get by killing your brothers in cold blood?”
“And all these activities have indicated, have shown themselves, there is disarmament going on now against the Equatorians, those who are in the police, those who are in the army. Can one tribe or two tries make a nation? No. South Sudan is for us all,” said Konga.
This comes after rumors that a large body of forces recruited from Konga’s Mundari tribe are planning to attack Juba, a claim denied by Konga.
“The first allegation that brought tension to Juba was concerning the Mundari people, that the Mundari people mobilized themselves and they are coming to attack Juba. As a result, our brothers [i.e., the Dinka] started arming themselves inside Juba city – but this rumor was created so as to cause disunity among the people of South Sudan,” said the governor.
The governor confirmed, however, that some Equatorians troops had left the organized forces but denied responsibility for this, saying the army had neglected them.
He referred to a brigade of 6,000 troops that he said he had helped to mobilize.  He said, “Unfortunately they are not treated well, they are left as Equatoirans. Six have died of hunger. They have only the AK-47.”
“It is the duty of the army to maintain them,” he said, insisting he could not control them himself. “The defections taking place, is it caused by me? No.”
Konga also stated that some Equatorians within the Tiger Battalion – President Kiir’s personal guard – have been recently disarmed.
“I don’t have forces in the Presidential Guards. The forces who are in the presidential Guards, these were a balance of the old forces, both SPLA and the former Sudanese army…  What I discussed with the commander was why at this time you are removing – asking the Equatorians to hand over some of the equipment you have. And I told him that after my coming we shall sit and discuss with him.”
'I will not accept federalism that is brought through blood'
The governor denied wanting to oppose President Kiir by force. “Such kind of wild rumors should be brought to an end. As for us Equatorians, we have kept President Salva. It is us who protect him.”
“Since my return from Germany in 2012. It is not a Dinka who is keeping Salva in power. It is us the Equatorians. And we have been disliked because of our frankness, then there is something wrong.”
The Central Equatoria governor also refused to back down on  his demand for federalism, which some of Kiir’s SPLM faction have cirtiied, saying it is not the right time to discuss it. But he said, “I will not accept federalism that is brought through blood.”
Troops dispatched to Terekeka
In Terekeka County, north of Juba, the head chief Alfons Modi Lado said, “The situation is calm and there is no problem. There are no militia that gathered,” he said, while confirming that government troops arrived from the capital and stationed themselves in the county.
“Just a little while ago some government troops arrived just outside Terekeka town and took positions. But they are just stationary and normal, there is no problem between the Mundari tribe and the government.”
He put the number of troops at 300 or more, explaining that they came by the main road from Juba in about ten vehicles. They are about 12 kilometres from the county seat.
“That is the government army, and we have no problem with the government,” he said, speaking for the people and traditional leaders of the area. “Those are our people. We don’t have any problem with it.”Radiotamazuj

South Sudanese artist to give hope to refugees in northern Uganda.

Hard Life avenues Stars Mantani and Nicky Prince(R One of south Sudan's leading music group.

)

 By Mogga Emmanuel Benaih.

Juba-As the peace talks in Adissababa seem stalled and abandoned with no possibilities of yielding hope to the ordinary citizens who have been directly affected by the ongoing crisis  a renowned South Sudanese music group the Hard life avenue have taken it upon themselves to ensure their fellow south Sudanese in Uganda have peace of mind and hope in their future.

To bring a peace of mind to the south Sudanese refugees in Uganda Hard Life Avenue a musical crew in south Sudan is warming up to perform and entertain the refugees in the upcoming refugees’ day.

Mogga Emmanuel the manager of the Hard Life Avenue said the concert is aimed at giving courage to the refugees, entertain them and provide relief from psychological stress adding that the aim is to ensure that the South Sudanese who are in Uganda due to the current crisis feel at home and make them feel at home.

Going and having a concert will give relief to them and make them proud of their origin despite the difficulties. He stressed, saying artist have a great role of preaching peace and hope

We are responding to our responsibility as music group to contribute towards peace and restoration of hope to those who hope looks far.

According to Nicky Prince the crew’s president people like the refugees are stressed and always miss something especially home they need something to relax their mind and the best thing is Music, many of those who fled the country are just traumatized in the camps in the neighboring countries

Some of them have lost hope and are psychologically sick hence need at least entertainment this is all the deal about this show he said.

Organized alongside Skyline international promotions the Crew plans to have two concerts on 20^th and 21^st of this month June at the main town of Adjumani District and the other at Pakele County an areas where a good number of south Sudanese refugees are settled

After having sung the all stars peace song alongside Silver X the Hard life Avenue trip to the refugee camps in northern Uganda is seen as great event to give hope as they join the refugees in celebrating the international day for refugees

With both their entertaining and educative songs in both English, Arabic and some local south Sudanese dialects the crew hopes to impact positively to a great population of their fellow citizens now camped up in Uganda.

According to Hard Life Avenue Crew they plan to organize concerts in all the neighboring countries hosting South Sudanese refugees but they wanted to use this trip as a stepping stone.

The Burden and regrets of being a south Sudanese

:

By Mogga Emmanuel Benaih.

A burden that comes with being a South Sudanese, listening to gunshots, bombings seeing your fellow citizens starving suffering and above all dying. Witnessing piles of death bodies and vultures in the skies feeding on our fellow brothers and sisters 

As if all the above is not enough the living are made to stay in fear and live in crowded IDP camps or go as refugees to neighboring countries………it is worth regretting to have voted for secession

At first I was a Sudanese born in exile grew up as a refugee until the CPA was signed in 2005

After the comprehensive Peace Agreement I became a citizen of the so called new Sudan, and also southern Sudan

But right after the referendum that resulted to the separation of the then Southern Sudan from its northern oppressor I became a proud citizen of South Sudan wuuu!! What a long walk to freedom

Proud as I was I joined the rest in the celebration but as time goes it is surely worth mentioning that those who voted for the separation of south Sudan are truly feeling the burden caused to them by their vote.

Right from the 1^st day of independence to date am death sure most of the citizens who stood in the sun for hours to vote for separation have never met any positive difference caused by the separation and independence they voted for.

The lack of improvement in all sectors causes recourse to the former Sudan when it was yet united it worth regretting to have voted for separation

With all the expectations laid forward to the south Sudanese people, the prospects put on the face of the situation at that time it has turned out as a source of frustration

No basic services, such as schools medical facilities, roads, etc  yet the government officials are been seen spending federal reserve’s luxuriously for their utmost personal benefits setting un fruitful trips abroad is the habit of all government officials in the pretext of acquainting themselves with what is happening in develop world

What have they brought back after their trips, nothing other than their bellies stocked with piles of what they accumulated abroad or patting with their fat allowances?

The cry of the citizens for basic services has always fallen on deaf ears promises are kept high but nothing is being done to fulfill such promises, in several incidences the government reiterated its commitment on development but not much of such have been achieved yet several billions have been spent in the name of development.

Donors money have gone into individual pockets several projects initiated are either incomplete or sub standard in nature.

Worst of all is the frequent deaths resulting from armed robbery, cattle raid, inter-communal fights, and rebellions ranging from the late Renegade  George Athor, Oliny Tanginyany, Yau yau,

We who voted for separation have to admit that we are part of the current massacring of our fellow brothers and sisters because we brought out through our votes a country to make people fight in and scramble for power aaah I wish I knew I would have not done so only to caused the killing of my fellow countrymen. What a disappointment to us the young generation who thought by voting for separation the start of peace liberty and equality was inevitable?

I deeply regret my vote and apologize to the whole world that witness this merciless killing of civilians by this long time war mongers

Had we to remain in the previous so call Sudan nothing g of this nature would have taken place because the idea would have not been there or it would have taken another angle.

Now this thousands dying in the hands of this two SPLM sides what will be the end result.

The world and rights bodies including the government are calling for accountability will accountability bring back those who have for no reason been killed?

Will it bring them back to life, to me the best is to stop the war immediately and dwell on positive developments

Self accusations will only breed more conflict, negotiations done and agreed on table with no stoppage of military offensive is just a waste of time and resource hence resulting to more disasters

All the government resources have been diverted to fighting mobilization or preaching to the whole world that what is happening is as a result of a failed coup attempt by former Vice president and his allies

The biggest question is how long are the negotiations in Adis going to take place, what will be its results and how will it benefit the innocent civilians who are either congesting in UN camps, seeking refuge in neighboring countries, or stranded in the bush?

The negotiations are taking long with not even a peanut agreement being positively implemented yet the innocent civilians of this country continue to die, suffer, being displaced and go without basic services

Most of the government activities have all come on hold most attention is focused on the war, no basic services, in the most affected areas some of which can’t be accessed by humanitarian agencies it is not a good experience there for the innocent civilians who are made to suffer for something with no cause , oh God look at this enemies of peace who can’t pity the fact that south Sudanese have not enjoyed peace since 1955.

The author is a south Sudanese journalist and an activist he can be reached through mogga4news@gmail.com

Pagan Amum pleads not guilty

 By Mogga Emmanuel Benaih.

The suspended SPLM Secretary-General and former chief negotiator of south Sudan on talks with Khartoum , Pagan Amum, who is  currently facing treason charges –labeled against him alongside four other top former government by the government told the special court he was not guilty of any of the charges being levied on him.
Pagan Amum who testified in court today denied taking part in any plot to overthrow the government.
“I have no any connection with that group; if they’re those who wanted to stage a coup and overthrow the government, I am not part of them neither in the past, at the present nor will I have any connection with them in the future,” he said.

Pagan Amum

Mr. Amum, who is the second defendant of the four people accused by the government of attempted coup in December last year, was the second person to testify before the high court in Juba today.
Meanwhile, the lead defense lawyer, Kur Lual Kur, told Eye Radio after Pagan Amum’s testimony that he is confident they will win the case because the charges brought by the prosecutor against his clients are “weak”.
The Prosecutor General James Mayen was not available in the court today for comments.
This was the court hearing number 13.
The trial of the accused started on the 11th of March, and so far nine witnesses out of eleven have testified before the court.
The four defendants are the former Minister of National Security, Oyai Deng Ajak, the suspended Secretary-General of the SPLM, Pagan Amum, the former deputy Minister of Defense, Dr. Majak De Agoot, and the former head of Mission of the Government of South Sudan to the US, Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkoth.
seven of the detainees arrested together with Pagan in connection to the coup plot have been released and are currently under the custody of the Kenyan government.
(additional information from Eye Radio)
 

South Sudan: A Civil War by Any Other Name

Source: International Crisis Group

Refocusing international engagement as well as the peace negotiations is essential to stop South Sudan’s raging civil war from claiming ever more lives. 

South Sudan’s four-month civil war has displaced more than a million and killed over 10,000; an escalating humanitarian crisis threatens many more. In its latest report, South Sudan: A Civil War by Any Other Name, the International Crisis Group looks at the longstanding political and military grievances behind spiralling violence and examines the steps necessary for peace and reconciliation. Communal conflicts cannot be separated from political disputes, and resolving both requires sustained commitment from South Sudanese and international actors.

The report’s major findings and recommendations are:

• The dispute within the governing Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) that led to the conflict was primarily political, but ethnic targeting and communal mobilisation quickly led to appalling levels of brutality against civilians. As peace talks between the government and the SPLM/A in Opposition stalled, both sides sought gains on the battlefield to strengthen their position in negotiations.
• Peace talks and reconciliation efforts must expand considerably beyond deals between political elites to include other militarised actors as well as community-based organisations, religious groups, women’s associations and others.
• To address the rapidly growing humanitarian crisis, armed actors must permit unconditional humanitarian access to civilians in areas they control. Aid providers must prepare to scale up humanitarian service delivery to prevent an avoidable famine.
• Plans by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to deploy a Protection and Deterrent Force raise the prospect of even greater regional involvement. IGAD should only do so with a clear mandate that supports a political resolution of the conflict. 
• The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is called upon to be an impartial actor in conflict-affected areas and to carry out state-support tasks in others. This dual mandate creates confusion and should urgently be amended to focus on the protection of civilians, human-rights reporting, support for IGAD’s mediation and logistical help to the African Union Commission of Inquiry.

“Many communities are aligning themselves with military factions, giving the conflict a dangerous ethno-military nature”, says Casie Copeland, Consulting South Sudan Analyst. “To prevent further catastrophe, South Sudan’s leaders and its international partners need to consider a radical restructuring of the state. New constituencies have to be admitted to a national dialogue, including armed groups previously not included, civil society actors and disaffected communities”.


“The conflict that broke out on 15 December 2013 was decades in the making. Resolving it requires not a quick fix but sustained domestic and international commitment”, says Comfort Ero, Africa Program Director. “The democratic space that was closed after independence in July 2011 must be reopened to enable peace and reconciliation processes to take hold”.