FULL-TEXT: Eight Upper Nile communities rejects Kiir-Machar steering committee on conference

JUBA  – At least eight representatives from different ethnic groups in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state have issued a statement rejecting the appointment of steering committee for Upper Nile state conference led by President Salva Kiir without representation of the people of the Upper Nile state.

Earlier this week, President Salva Kiir appointed a committee head by himself, deputized by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and includes the membership of Kiir’s security and senior presidential advisors, Tutkew Gatluak and Kuol Manyang Juuk.

In a statement, communities of Nasir, Maiwut, Ulang, Baliet, Manyo, Panyikang, Fashoda and Malakal rejected the presidential committee, adopting a position by opposition leader Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, saying it excludes the communities of Upper Nile state.

Below is their statement!

THE REPUBLICAN ORDER NO.1 ISSUED BY KIIR ADDS MORE FUEL TO UPPER NILE PROBLEMS.

The Republican order no.1 issued by president Salva Kiir Mayardit on 5/1/2021 to appoint himself as chairman person of the Upper Nile conference and Dr. Machar as a deputy chair. We the sons and daughters of Upper Nile State are objecting the proposal that conferred the leadership and organisation of the conference to those who hailed outside Upper Nile State. The Involvement of presidential advisors, minister of cabinet affairs, 9 governors and others as observers is meaningless and may derailed the conference from its main objectives of reconciling and uniting the communities. We may only accept some few observers from leadership and foreign observers of our own choice.

We concur with the objection raised by First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon that the responsibility of the conference should be given to the leaders of Upper Nile State to reconcile and unite their communities. This could give chance to the communities to air out their differences as they have been living peacefully together for centuries without any problem. The involvement of some influential figures and other stakeholders outside Upper Nile State communities will eventually add more fuel on fire and impede our communities efforts to freely address their disputes and grievances.

The involvement of the influential figures and other stakeholders may distort the communities efforts for peace, reconciliation, healing and unity that can be reached if communities address their own disputes and grievances by themselves alone without involvement of others. The conference will yield no positive results with involvement of those have conflicting interests in the  affairs of Upper Nile. The people of Upper Nile State should be left alone to decide their own fate to result their own disputes. The involvement of influential leaders and other stakeholders may be adding more fuel rather than to settle the disputes among the communities.

Therefore, please kindly stay away and leave us alone to solve our own disputes for the betterment of our state. We have been living peacefully together for centuries without standingby others. Enough is enough to loot our resources and we don’t want to be driven to another senseless war again through divide and rule policy. We need to settle our people who are living in desperate situation and rebuild our state which had been destroyed during the war. The leaders of Upper Nile are fit to make peace, reconcile, heal and unite our own communities without the need of others who can destroy the social fabrics of  our people. Please leave us alone and finally demand the appointment of Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo as governor of Upper Nile State. May Almighty God bless the people of Upper Nile State and bless the people of South Sudan.

Best regards,

Under signed by Upper Nile communities steering committee.

1)  Hon.Stephen Lor Nyak – chairman.

2) Hon. Mohammed Chum Aliny – Deputy chairman.

3) Hon. Chuol lualwang Wuol- secretary.

4) Hon.Tut Khan Luak -member-  Nasir community.

5) Hon. William Dei Kang – member – Maiwut community.

6) Hon. Nhial Puoc Jaak – member – Ulang- community.

7) Hon. Tuac Malual – member – Baliet community.

8) Hon. Emanuel Jambo – member – Manyo – community.

9) Hon. Francis – member – Panyikang community.

10) Hon. Toma- member – Malakal community.

11) Hon. Suleman Ajang – member – Fashoda community.