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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Can we turnaround the golden old days

By: Daniel Abushery Daniel

October 6, 2009 — Inspire me: “Optimism is an intellectual choice”. – Diana Schneider.
Since the beginning of the days, Nasir, the eastern Nuer capital was well-known for accommodating southern Sudanese refugees when ever there was a natural disaster, or a man made crisis.
For example, when the heavy floods, that hit Madding -Bor in 1960s, if I am not mistaken, many people’s from the Dinka flood affected areas fled their homeland for safer destinations especially in Nasir and Akobo, respectively.

Ultimately, those who headed to Nasir, were warmly welcome by the local chiefs and individuals as well. The flood survivors arrived along with their families, and some by themselves. But not so long after that, the new comers soon became part and parcel of Nasir town community as well as the “old Nasir” or Nour-Deang, just across the river Sobat. They were accommodated, given land to build their own homes (huts), a few milking cows, and some gorgeous girls as their wives. But above all, I, can sarcastically say that; some of the new comers were even chosen to be Chiefs, a position that is rarely given up easily to a stranger.

And so, I could say that; I grew up in a multi cultural society, made among Nuer, Shiluk, Dinka, Anyuak, Murle, and Arabs. Subsequently, Nasir Intermediate School (NIS), which was the only highest learning institution in Eastern Upper Nile, become home to students from as far as Bantiu, Akobo, Bor, Fashalla, and bibor. Again every one lived together in peace and harmony, that some students from distant places spent their vacation with their school mates in Nasir, until the school re-opens.

Furthermore, during our first struggle ( Anya-nya 1), most of the training camps were opened at the border between Sudan and Ethiopia, consequently, many southerners from Bhar al Gazal and Equatoria who joined the training camps, were also welcome by the Nuer community with open arms. No one has ever heard of such disputes and hatred that are happening today. Their common goal was to fight the “Jallaba” and did so unitedly, even though most of their commanders were not all educated, and there was no such thing as PhD’s at the time.

By today standards, it would have been a miracle for those young fighters to walk thousands of miles to go buy guns and ammunition, from Congo, Central African Republic, and Uganda, by foot across the land, changing routes to avoid any interaction with government troops. The point I am driving at is that; southerners were so united at those remote times like we will never see again, which enabled them to achieve their goal of self autonomy, or the “ little government” as late Dr. John Garang used to call it, “haccoma mi taut”. As we all know that movement was headed by General Joseph Lago, from Madi, a minority tribe in south Sudan.

GOSS MANPOWER ALLOCATION SHOULD BE CHANGED!
I, remember, growing up in Nasir that most-if not all the local government’s commissioners (LGC) were all from different parts of the south: Late Gabriel Aluong from Bor, David Deng Athorbay (the current Minister of finance of Goss) from Rumbek, Martin Majot (the current office manager to president Mayrdit) from Warap, Bol Majok, from Gogrial, Clement Khamis from Equatoria, and police Chief Makalily Nyajok from Equatoria, to name a few.

Beside those officials, there was a host of civil service personnel from just about anywhere in south Sudan. But one name that stands out is the long time medical assistant, late Uncle Gordon Kuoldit (the father of Dr. John, and Dr. Hakim Gordon). To my knowledge, nobody ever complain, as to why there were these very many of them from different places.

Hence, what I am trying to address here is, to appeal to President Lt. General Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Chairman of the Sudan people Liberation movement (SPLM) and president of the government of south Sudan (GOSS) to consider a random appointment of the heads of the states and public service personnel, all across the South. Certainly, such policy will not only help in the reduction of tribal sensitivities that are happening today, but it can also minimize corruption. It’s time to go back to the old system that has proved to work beautifully.

And finally, the persisting question is: is it the civilization that changed people, or the politicians? Again, can we all just say enough is enough of these tribalism, sectionism, nepotism, and corruptionism, and just focus on the goals that will lead us to self-determination, to be or not to be?.

Let turn around to the golden old days, and say; YES WE CAN.

The author is a Criminal Justice graduate, (WIU) Phx, Former employee of Unity Bank, Juba – Sudan, and. Can be reached at [email protected], or [email protected].

12 Comments

  • Killer
    Killer

    Can we turnaround the golden old days
    This article is discussing Nuer primitivity.
    Nuer will be forever enslaved by Dinka and Arabs, their masters.
    Well now that Dinka warriors have captured Mundari, the next target is Bentiu and Akobo.

    Nuer must evacuate before the greator Dinka burn their houses to ashes.
    From government positions in the south to states level we enslave Nuer.
    Has any Nuer ever ask themselves why the Dinka come first and they come second in leadership?. That is called an enslavement.

    ” We are your masters”.

    Reply
  • Time1
    Time1

    Can we turnaround the golden old days
    Daniel Abushery Daniel

    This is one of the best options now left fo GOSS to explore, to reshuffle the government not base on tribe, Salva kirr has to appoint ministers and officials randamly, take person from one state to another state, this will reduce currption and also improve relations between the various people. I remember John Garang did just that it it worked very well, he was really a truely intelligent and wise man, i wish he was still here. Salva kirr need to wake up.

    Reply
  • John Garang Ajak
    John Garang Ajak

    Can we turnaround the golden old days
    Congratulation and thank you, Mr. Daniel for taking the time to remind southern Sudanese of the old good times; I was born in the late 80s and had not experienced the good old time but they sure sound good and wonderful. Those were the times for tribal harmony. I am sure you are disappointed by the comments posted by our brainless compatriots. I can deniably say with confident that these people are not southern Sudanese but collaborators paid to change the views of southern Diasporas about the South Sudan. To my dismay, I can seriously divulge that things are not yet perfect in Juba. Everything takes time but to attack each base on tribal association is really not a progress but the beginning of our downfall.

    Let me make it clear to you imprudent our there that there is no south Sudan without the Dinka, Nuer, and Equatorians and there is not an enemy we can’t defeat if we unite and fight along side each other. Any Dinka who thinks that they can do better without the help of Nuers and Equatorians really knows nothing of our struggle, likewise, Nuers can not survive without the Dinkas or Equatorians. Attacking our politician base on their tribal background does not help but give those leaders more scapegoats to disservice our society; they will always loot our funds and hide under the cloud of tribal alliance instead of facing the consequences of their wrongdoings.

    If you can access internet and write about out current situation, I can unquestionably assume that you are inform and should know better than to insinuate tribal conflict. We should be predisposing to intellectual debates instead of negative backward debates. We have a lot to talk about.

    Thanks Mr. Daniel for the Article.

    Reply
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