Akol Aguek

(VERMONT, USA) - Here is what pains and disgusts me: I look at my family, and I see both of my grandmothers, and all my uncles (brothers to my father) either directly killed by Riek Machar’s forces or died from Bor Massacre related famine during the period ranging from 1991 – 1995. Every Bor family from Chuei e Keer to Chuei e Thon that I know of either lost everyone or suffered the losses of the same magnitude as my family did. And by the way, I cannot talk of the maiming of innocent civilians and the destitutions that became of Bor Dinkas thereafter making them homeless in displaced person and refugee camps across Equatoria Region and East African nations of Kenya and Uganda. That is an indisputable history unquestioned by none other than some of  the blind supporters of Riek Machar.

Here is the dilemma for all Bor Dinkas who silently suffered the losses during the 1991 Bor Massacre.

Today, Mr. Machar is heading out to Bor Town and will hold a rally at Bor Town Freedom Square and will ask the bereaved (survivors of the Bor Massacre): the relatives, children, grandchildren, widows, and widowers of those who perished in the hands of his forces in 1991 to vote for him. It is like a Nazi Commander showing up at Jewish town in Poland and asking them for their votes. Isn’t it? Yes, it is, and if you disagree, then you must tell me why it isn’t. But the real issue is how could Bor Dinkas forgive Mr. Machar let alone voting for him? I do not know if I will ever forgive Riek but part of the answer is some but not all Bor Dinkas may forgive Riek Machar if he genuinely accepts the responsibility and apologizes to them for his heinous crime against humanity. But he has not seized the opportunity at all and his track records show he never will but always will remain defiant, arrogant and dismissive of the tragedy that tore down people’s lives then, now and for generations to come. Fair enough as long as he is not seeking Bor Dinkas to support his leadership aspirations, and that goes with not showing up in Bor Town asking for votes.

And that brings me to my hawkish position. I believe Bor Dinkas should not welcome this unapologetic guy in their backyard let alone voting for him. In order to at least get over the losses that Bor Dinkas suffered, it would be a bit reassuring if Mr. Machar ever acknowledged their sufferings and asked for forgiveness. It would be relieving if Mr. Machar ever showed a sense of remorse and agony over the decimation of an entire community for no apparent reason at all. But today, almost 2 decades later, not a thing from Mr. Machar! Even today, there is no ownership of the massacre by this superstitious and inept individual who looks at himself as a future Southern Sudan President. He has been given the opportunity to come forward to own it and apologize to the bereaved (the survivors) but he refused and even argued that such a tragedy never happened. And over the years, Mr. Machar supporters have been rewriting the history denying it, and sometimes accepting it and justifying it as a payback for SPLA committed atrocities in Nuerland as if SPLA was not wholly owned by Southern Sudan but by Bor Dinkas. Gar, come forward with one version because it makes it worse when you try to have it both ways: denying it and at the same time accepting it with justification.

The tragedy with Bor Massacre issue is only in Southern Sudan would someone destroy an entire community, and deny it, and still come back two decades later and ask that same decimated community for votes. I believe Mr. Machar is underestimating the losses suffered by Bor Dinkas, and the anger that came with it. Yes, it is one thing to use the power of guns to seize the power. It is quite another when you ask those maimed individuals for votes. In a true democracy you, the wrongdoer, have to be questioned, and asked to explain your past deeds, and that is what this piece is trying to accomplish on behalf of the Bor silenced and downtrodden.

Here is what I am asking Mr. Riek Machar to do: look Bor Dinkas in the eye right at their backyard on Bor Town Freedom Square and own up to the Bor Massacre and apologize for your heinous crime or get out and look for votes somewhere else. You do not need their votes to win since there are millions of votes across Southern Sudan to be had without a single Bor vote. Do the gentleman’s thing to seek genuine forgiveness by accepting responsibility for tearing their lives and livelihoods apart or go fetch the votes someplace else. There is no way around to Bor Massacre other than taking full and complete responsibility for it. You can’t make the survivors believe it did not happen as you and your supporters have been doing because they can’t since they lived through it and survived it.

And to my critics, I cannot apologize for taking the hawkish position against Riek Machar because I want him to know that this issue should not be glozed over or buried under the carpet. It is his record and it needs to be out there during the election season. He has to know that Bor Dinkas suffer every single day from the consequences of his action and its resolution is far from being over as long as he is defiant, arrogant and dismissive!

Akol Aguek Ngong is an Assistant Director of Admissions at UVM, and a regular contributor to NewSudanVision.Com. He lives in Burlington, VT, USA.

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Let's deal with our own beginning, twenty-first century issues
written by Gach Bol Thong, March 17, 2010

Incumbent and lat Garang have done human lost seven times than Bor from 1984 till the fall of Derge (Mengistu Haile Mariam). Going backward is a serious mistake and it alway making sense that if we only focus on 'big picture' that is facing our generations, South will be a better place for all. What we have left behind are an erroes of beginning that need to be treated as old age stuffs. Moreover, if we could have look into other's struggles, then we can move ahead working on South-North issues to make our side strong. If we turn back, it will damage the goodness of South Sudan. Some still seeking an apology from the same old dance to apologise but nothing being done about it. Everywhere in South Sudan each community needs an apology for the past incidents. We have to do our own political visions for South Sudan's future than diggiing the gone cases.

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Hmmmmmmmmm!
written by Makuei Tor, March 31, 2010

Thong,

you think so! "gone cases" for your information, Garang did not attack any particular people or village than fighting khartoum for your freedom's sake. and if you have a case agianst anybody you have to show up alone and claim it, than going against someone's grain or an article or opinion. "old age" maaan!!! you better know how to treat cases than leaning toward your own ... in treating crimes or criminals there is nothing as old or past or forget or forgive without sincere concern of the doer.

" facing big picture" as you (Thong)put it is what the Dinka-Bor is doing by allowing Machar to sit on our blood and bones without putting him aside.

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An open massage to jonglei independent candidate
written by John Deng Yuang Lual, April 08, 2010

Comrade Gorge Athor Deng, an SPLA commander had fought tirelessly and became famous for that reason just like some other SPLA high ranking officers, non commission officers and men, whose contribution is etched in your mind. On the political wing the SPLM, worth mention is the role played by our diplomats and their contribution, whether directly or indirectly had made the liberation struggle a success. My question here is, was it all about position and richness or about a freedom brought about by the change in the oppressive system?
As we all know, most of those committed liberators ended up in the jungles and desert of this country shunting SPLA Oyee in their last minute, they have never live to see in person this freedom which has turned into position rustling and public resources looting by corrupt individuals, Fortunately Jonglei State is declared free of corruption under the governorship of his Excellency Kuol Manyang Juuk . This is a different story even though it is the core cause of independent candidacy. But all in all, let us praise the martyred who died without pointing a finger of blame at their commanders but rather, SPLA Oyee was always the last word of a vanishing SPLA soldier, most of whom were commanded by comrade Athor.
I mention all this because it is regretting to hear or see a man of high record discarding his fame at a time when the journey is few kilometers away to the destination, in other word , a position of six month before the referendum.
I am completely against the so called “ independent candidacy’ ’who stanch from the same party , the PLM. Yes it true that independent candidacy is a part of democratic transformation but as for now, the enemy, who is always looking for a means to lure some important figures in the party will definitely get it a golden chance to divide the party.
Being an independent candidate is a betrayal to the party you said to be loyal to.
Afred Taban is a good role model when he said ‘’if I am not nominated by the party, I will not run as an independent candidate because I am not ready to betray the SPLM. After all he was most wanted by the people in comparison to his counter part. Above all, Taban is popular and competent at all levels of the government if popularity means independency. His wise decision to drop from the races has increased his popularity more than ever before.
Comrade Athor should do likewise in order to uphold respect and await for his time because he will have more than enough chances ahead of him should he persevere in patience.
Pointing out in my first paragraph all that happened during the liberation struggle including untold death toll of our comrades as well as civilian, not to mention the disabilities and traumatized inflicted by the war, was in a bit to remind you Athor about the should be recent past and the fact that our aim was not to rule but to change the system which has for long oppressed our people. This however does not deny you access to rule, yes you can rule with an over whelming majority behind you. This very majority is the one telling you not to distort your dignity by attempting to betray your party SPLA and your comrade who at the same time your older brother.

I am concerned about your rich profile, knowing that you will be defeated if you insist and your past reputation will get lose. Coming to your campaign trail objectives, you and his Excellency Kuol Manyang Juuk have the same aims. Lastly, withdraw your candidacy and you will remain a respected high ranking freedom fighter.
Thank you in advance.
John Deng yuang Lual is a Medical Lab. Technician
He doing Bachelor of science in Public Administration in
University of Juba.
He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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