self- determination for Southerners is jeopardy. The thugs and traitors are already betraying the South.
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party formerly National Islamic Front (NIF) have brought 39 years of bloody and dangerous war to end finally 9 January 2005. The agreement provided for a political self-determination for South Sudan . But what this self-determination means to the country and South Sudan itself remain for us to be debated. My article aim to explain what will self-determination mean for the Sudan and Southern Sudan as a region.
Background of the war
Politically, the SPLM/A went to war in 1983 to fight for one United and democratic Sudan that is based on a new bases. It was a national liberation movement which has opens the eyes of many of us in the marginalized areas and people of the Sudan in particular to date. It slogan was and still is known to all as Unity, Equality and Progress. But as the fight went on, in 1991 the Movement was divided into two, namely, the SPLM/A Torit faction and SPLM/A Nasir faction. SPLM/A Torit faction lead by Col. Dr. John Garang a Dinka has a national character. SPLM/A Nasir faction lead by Dr. Riek Machar a Nuer has a tribalistic and separatist character and it ask for Independent for South Sudan . Many lives were lost in South Sudan as a result of factions fighting. The leaderships of SPLM/A Nasir faction was defeated by SPLM/A Torit faction and they went and joint the oppressor government lead by Hassan al Bashir and fight against the SPLM/A lead by Col. Dr. John Garang. Dr. Riek Machar did not get much support from the other tribes in South Sudan but Col. Dr. John Garang did get much support from the South, Nuba Mountains , Southern Blue Nile and Eastern Sudan .
As the fight goes on then, the issue of the referendum for self-determination South Sudan was then adopted by SPLM/A Torit faction as strategy for reconciliation between the Nuer tribalist with the Dinka tribe at Abuja 2 peace talks in Nigeria 1992. so that was then and now peace has finally come in Sudan with a resolution to vote for South Sudan in six years and half to come. The question now is what will this self-determination means to the people of the South, especially the minority tribes if they voted YES or NO?
If "YES" Vote
In all, if the vote for self-determination happen to be YES, it will mean that the current Sudan will have two countries and therefore lost of the Sudan status in the continent as Africa 's biggest country. This will benefit the two so called major tribes of South Sudan , therefore all minorities tribes will be dominated by the two major tribes. By this I mean the Dinka and Nuer domination and all tribes will be their subjects. It will be yes indeed a legalization of born to rule by Dinka and Nuer by minority tribes of South Sudan . It also means that, the people in the South SAID YES, WE WANT Dinka and Nuer Aristocracy.
The Dinka and the Nuer will, then do what ever they like with the tribes in South Sudan . They will nationalize the land and non Dinka and Nuer will be their subjects. Therefore, the Dinka and the Nuer will be new masters and elites of South Sudan as it is now before the self-determination. Let those who think of self-determination be aware of the current signs of domination in the movement by this two groups.
At the moment, the SPLM/A is dominated by Dinka and Nuer and they had created so many districts and counties in their areas, than in the Nuba mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Equatorial region without sensitivity in their mind. This is a real justification of the beginning of total domination over other groups in the name of so called majority tribes in South Sudan and the people who support their dream in the drive for total domination are not seeing this. I am totally sorry for them. This issue must be debated without reservation. Should we wait then the implication will be so real after 2011.
"NO" Vote
If the people in South Sudan would vote "NO" for example, then all tribes whether small or big will be equal. Since equality under current system in the movement is not possible. It is a well known prove, Dinka and Nuer has no respect to any minority tribes in the South of Sudan. The evidence are overwhelming. Therefore, voting "NO" for self-determination will be very helpful for all tribes and ethnic groups. The SPLM will then be a party for all oppressed groups in the Sudan . Dinka and Nuer domination will not be as real as it is now. Thus, they will respects, other tribes in South Sudan as well as all will need each other. Similarly, Arab threat will die as well. In this respect, there will be a real solidarity in South Sudan which will help in the radical transformation of the whole Sudan .
SPLM leaderships
The current leaderships of the SPLM is trying to forged Unity but it fail totally to be sensitive in term of ethnic and tribal balance within its rank and file. One can only hope that, during the appointment of cabinets, MPs and commissions both at the National government and regional government level. That also has to be the same to other positions like ambassadors, first secretaries and deputies secretaries, directors and deputies, department heads and deputies etc. should the SPLM fail to address these very important political matter South Sudan will not Unite and SPLM will lost popularity among other tribes in South Sudan as well as in the other part of Sudan. Finally, it will fail to win the next coming general election.
Korium Tong is a Sudanese resetlled in New Zealand
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This is a very great webside for Aweil community. I'm very thankful for those who took the great amount of time and efforts to develop this webside for MADING AWEIL.
First, allow me to welcome you to the board. I hope you like it here or how? Thank for joining us at Mading Aweil website. We value your present and participations.
The topic that you brought up for debate is really very important and worth discussion. I absolutely agreed with you on some points and disagreed with you on some. Here is what I disagreed with you, the UNITED SUDAN after six years of self-rule for the south sudan. Okabuoch, sudan had been at multiple civil wars since its independent from British in January 1, 1956 and the war is always between the north and the south. The two regions have different ideologies which make it hard to find some common grounds to work together as sudanese. I don't think we want our next generation to go to war again with arabs. So the only way for southerners to solve this is to vote for separation which I am sure all south sudanese are anxiously waiting for the time to come to vote "YES" for independent. Yeah, sudan will lost its status of being African's largest country but it will not bother southerners because we have endured suffering from arabs for decades for the sake of maintaining unity which arabs violate quite often. So we southerners need to do a good tradeoff this time otherwise we will not get another chance like this.
Dinka and Nuer domination had never happened and will never exist in this modern democracy. South sudan will adapt the equation of representation to satisfy minorities tribes. The government of south sudan will not over sees minorities tribes concerns and voices because this is what we have been fighting for during the last two decades. Domination existed within the SPLA movement because of massive turn out of certain tribes for the call of liberation of south sudan but this will not exist after the war. These are the few points I disagreed with you otherwise I welcome your argument because it carries factualism evidence in it. Thank for the topic once again.
Santino Ajith
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Nothing is possible without fair distribution of power and wealth.
Just like Santino disputed the notion of Dinka/Nuer domination, I equally share similar argument with him. It is true, that notion had been the order of the day in SPLA/M but since we are transforming into a government, I think leaders will realized that their actions are being monitored and will not miss single day without being publicly mirrored.
To continue with that, I personally as Southerner believe that the only way forward is to be inclusive in all public dealings. To say that the government which i believe will be democratic will be ethnically based on tribes is misplacement of the term. I do believe that parties or politiccal associations, aspirations are formed on ideologies. If for instance Iam conservative, then I will reach out to other conservative counterparts in Bari, Luo, Anyuak, Shiluk....etc.
So in politics, when one talk of minority, then put it in the context of minority in all aspect of live. One can be minority in gender, economic, ideology, socially, ethnicity....etc. so what political creatures usually do is to play these cards around. For instance, when people create minority in term of tribes, then the disadvantageous on the other end can try his or her wit to create majority vs. minoity in term of economic, ideology....etc.
In general, politics tend to nurture very well in controversial aspects. Politicians instead of solving problems, desire to create controversial issues and use it to focus people attention into it to drive their points home.
Lastly since Southern Sudan has not yet walk into the dawn of political establishment, it is premature to define domination base on ethnicity without putting other basis of political minority and majority in line.
Thanks,
Dhor.
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"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors" Plato.
Guys,you have satisfactorially debated and urgued this topic to the light of many readers who regularly visit this website and that is what it mean to have such a sound-minded,competent,rational and assertive people in the society.
I absolutely concurred with you that southern sudan after six-year intrim period and with this zeal and eagerness from Southerners to stamp this Big YES to a complete freedom and self-determination will not be like SPLM/SPLA movement. How can we compare the liberation movemnet with a government?, bY then Southern sudan will be its own government where the rights and plights of every an individual will be respected. The government will not be for the two majority tribes the author have been talking about but, for all the southerners regardless of the ethnicity. Brothers and sisters we have been flighting for equality and justice for years and therefore, it will be our role to challenge and correct any element that is breeding discrimination and misunderstanding among us. Can we eat our vomits for the fear of domination from our brothers, instead of standing up and speak up our mind?, I think no! It is the right of the so called minority tribes to stand firm and be the bosses of their country.
My folks, it is a time to ask ourselves,what good has the Arab dominated government done to us since the time in memorial. we have been oppressed, enslaved and economically exploited to the point of no return and still we remain faithful subjects to the Arab government.
We have lived in desperate and despicable poverty,no medical facilities,no school in the south for our childern and that eucidated exactly what the Karl mark said that " if you went to exploit a person deny him/her an education" and that is what Arab have bee doing to us all along, can we surrender in such an abuses again while we are watching with our two eyes ?,I hope not.
Our young men and women have been working for a peanut in the northern part for Arabs, for their development,wealths and prosperity but the only reward is an abuse of all kind ,contempt and demnation " abit", is this what we went again after six?, I hope not, we have the potential to develop our small country,educate our childern and work for the prosperity of our future, we have everythings a nation need to feed her citizens.
Final and last but not the least important, lets embark on creating awareness to our people wherever they are, and start preparatory journey to this turning- point in the life of the southerners after this six years.
Dear brother, Korium Tong,
I exceptionally appreciate your topic, these are the topics that will help us forged forward for the entire freedom and self-determination on the verge of this dilemna and confusion in sudan, such a topic can be debate to the betterment of other southerners who are going to make such a vital discussion at one and all. I agred with your urguement that the liberation movement was domination by some tribes but, as mentioed before that was due to optional mass turn up of some tribes for the liberation of the country however, after this each and every person in southern sudan will have say wether you have participated in the movement or not.
eventually you are cordially welcome to Aweil community forum feel free and share your superb ideas with us.
Iam so pleased to welcome you at Mading Aweil board.Your horrid topic is so welcome.
However, it so impossible for wise Aweilians like me to negatively or afirmatively answer your puzzle topics. Your topic is so difficult to either agree or disagreee with , basically for many reasons:In the first place , i do not have any faintest idea of the diffference between Korium and Tong. In the first place , Tong sounds like Dinka name to me ,if iam not mistaken. Iam so confused. I do not know if the name, Korium referred to Koryom Battalion or something, in the SPLA army. I must say that you are one of the confused Dinkas who by some reasons want to align himself with the north.If you are, just simply hold up for the so call referendum after interim period, in case you have uncle ,auntie , nephew ,neice or parents you are so supportive of in the north.
Secondly, you have failed , simply to address the simple gramatical term, called interrogative,in your posted arguementive topic. To remind you , you are so ignorance of words such as:Why, how,when Dinka and Nuer Dominate the South.
Last but not least, you were so apprehensive to expound how the ones you called thugs and traitors renegade the Southern Sudan.
Brother, Tong, Reformation of the country is not simple, it takes turns and twists that achieves the goal , desired .Items like killing, negotiations and eventually compromises which later reach to self determination of some groups or region, country or continent, if iam not in errie.
In conclusion, I want to encourage you that if the Lord is your shepherd you shall not fear your brotherens, the Nuers and the Dinkas due to the propaganda of the New Sudan,s or the forthcoming new Southern Sudan,s foes. I personally, have my relatives who , for some reasons agree with system of rules of the ancient Sudan, but i do not or will not agree with them even during referendum after interim period because they are self interested instead of the south or the whole sudan.
Any way, your non meandering topic is highly welcome, next time on dicussion board.
Open mindness, integritiness, understandingness , communicativeness and compromises , we stand, but other than that we fall!! SPLA/SPLAM OYEE !!! New Sudan Oyee!!!
