South Sudan historic music battle, Who won?

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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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.