South Sudan News Agency

By Elhag Paul

June 10, 2013 (SSNA) -- Jay Johnson has thrown the gauntlet down challenging us to prove that we genuinely hold human rights value by not voting for Riek Machar, a known violator of human rights in the coming general election of 2015.  The challenge was delivered through his response to comments on his article, ‘Why Dr Riek Machar is an unacceptable alternative’ published by South Sudan Nation on 4^th June 2013.

Here is what Jay said, “And if the Equatorians, the Fertit, the Dinka, the Nuer and the Luo groups people care but human rights.  If there is a genuine non politically motivated strong belief in human rights principles.  If Elhag paul means what he says about human rights violations by SPLM government, then we should not vote for Dr Riek come 2015.  We can send a strong message to human rights violators that there is no second chance in our political discourse.  We will have to tell the prospective human rights violators that it is unacceptable to authorise the mass killing of innocent civilians.  This is going to be a litmus test for our commitment to human rights values.  It will mean that we mean what we say through our collective actions at the voting boost.” This portrays Jay’s anxiety over the general election of 2015.

I can see Jay’s point and also feel his pain, but all these have to be put within context of the political space of South Sudan.

Our belief in human rights is axiomatic and our position with regards to president Kiir and his deputy Dr Riek Machar is clearly expressed in our various writings.  So, there is no question both men are violators of human rights in the then Republic of the Sudan and now in the Republic of South Sudan.

Certainly, because of our values and beliefs neither of these men nor their SPLM Oyee party should get our votes come 2015.  Jay Johnson should rest assured on this premise.  Unfortunately, things in real life do not operate on clear-cut basis.  Under-the-surface issues affect voters and these are the things that shape their thinking and voting decisions.  Voters mostly make their minds up on who to vote for based on local issues. 

Now, the behaviour of Jay’s people has not been positive or helpful.  If anything it created for them more enemies unnecessarily.  Jay himself has been a promoter of Jieng land grab in Equatoria through violent means inflicting immense pain on the local people.  As some of the audience may recall, Jay recently wrote an article published in the various websites under the title, ‘Equatorians: Stop Land grabbing, occupation and colonization Nonsense’ dismissing land grab in the country and asserting false and illusionary Jieng rights to settle wherever they like.  http://www.southsudannation.com/equatorians-stop-land-grabbing-occupation-and-colonization-nonsense/  This in itself is enough evidence that Jay is not a believer in human rights but someone who is motivated by Jieng expansionist beliefs and interested in pursuing his people’s interest at the expense of all others regardless.  Jay does not care about the pain he and his people inflict on fellow countrymen. 

If Jay now is a convert to the ideals of human rights, we can together do certain things to stop both president Kiir and his deputy Dr Riek Machar from winning the coming general elections of 2015.  What this means is that all of us will be winners.  For us we will gain from having a change of guards at J1 in Juba and for Jay he will achieve his interest of stopping Dr Riek from becoming president of RSS. 

However, first, Jay needs to support a referral of president Kiir and his government to ICC by endorsing the idea and signing the referral/petition under draft and also bring along with him at least 100 other Jiengs for the purpose.  Secondly, Jay needs to order all the squatters and fake IDPs he vigorously supported to settle in Nimule and other parts of the county to repatriate to their original homes in Jonglei, Warrap etc.  This operation, he must ensure, should be done by 2014 and before the general election in 2015. 

The reason for this is simple.  I heard through the grapevine that Dr Riek is one step ahead.  It is believed that he has promised the Equatorians recovery of their stolen lands and a truly federated government in South Sudan.  Whether this is true or not, I can not vouch for.  But I saw an article in the Sudan Tribune dated 4^th June 2013 titled, ‘Vice-president says federal system best for governing South Sudan’ which seems to give credence to the story.  In it Dr Riek strongly asserted that ‘Federalism is the best system of governance for South Sudan.’   http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article46836  Now it appears this is turning out to be a big winner for Riek regardless of whether he is human rights violators or not.

This alone pushes Riek’s human rights appalling record down the order of priorities for the local people in South Sudan. Horrible and I do not agree with it, but who am I to question people who want to free themselves from Jieng hegemony?  I personally on basis of my principles will not vote for any human rights violator and this includes Riek.

Hurtful as it may be, the policies of expansionism and the atrocious behaviour of the Jieng that Jay has been relentlessly promoting has alienated the other 60 or so tribes of South Sudan to the extent that their votes will be determined by their experience of Jieng oppression in the last 30 years and not conditioned by human rights value per se.  The immediate thing to the oppressed Equatorians and others is to recover their stolen lands and get protection from Jieng tyranny.  So, if the devil comes to the people and if that devil is Riek promising salvation it is not difficult to see why people will ignore his past and vote for him

Crucially, for the voters it is the present that matters.  Jieng hegemony currently is toxic and stinky to the 60 or so tribes of South Sudan because within it lies the practice of the worst human rights abuses known in the country.  The evidence to this can be found in the various reports of the various human rights organisations including the USA government.

In a sense, Riek’s concerning abuses and the Jieng’s abuses cancels out in the mind of the average voter in the country such that they will dwell on their personal interest.  Remember human memory is funny and it can choose to play games when all the options on the table are ugly.  It then becomes a case of what are the two known devils running in 2015 general election offering.  Dr Riek, as explained above is already offering the others a very tantalising carrot which appears delicious, juicy and certainly salivating.  What are Jay and his squatters and fake IDPs going to offer the people of South Sudan?  This is the crux of the matter and Jay needs to articulate their offer clearly without ifs, buts etc.

Paradoxically, Jay and the Jieng through their atrocious behaviour are the effective campaigners and promoters of Dr Riek’s ticket for presidency in 2015.  Nobody wants it, but this is the reality of short sighted policies of the Jieng.  If Jay is serious about stopping Dr Riek from becoming president, the only option left to him is the one stated above.  Will he now join the bandwagon of the people to: 1) refer the crooks in Juba to ICC;  2) right the wrong of land grabbing by ordering his people out of stolen lands;  3) support release of political prisoners like Peter Sule; and 4) support the implementation of true federalism in RSS.  May sound painful but that is the price to pay to stop Dr Riek from becoming president.  If Jay is ready, then he needs to act quick as time is of the essence.  Dr Riek is already ahead and moving at a high speed.

My vote as a true believer and advocate of human rights against the cunning Dr Riek is not going to stop him from the presidency.  Real politick is now upon us.  Jay and his lot brought it upon themselves.  Nobody to blame for the unfolding scenario.

[Truth hurts but is also liberating]

The Author lives in the Republic of South Sudan. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

By Mading De Manyok

June 10, 2013 (SSNA) -- With the announcement made by Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir on Saturday instructing his oil minister Awad Al-Jaz to block the pipeline that carrying South Sudan crude oil not to flow again via Sudanese pipeline into Port Sudan. This announcement came after the Sudanese national security knows as “National Intelligence Security Service” give detail report alleged that South Sudan government is giving more support to Sudan Revolutionary Front which is fighting Sudan government.

According to what I read in Sudan News Agency (SUNA) website on Saturday 8, there was no proper detail as the copy report read but just only to cause havoc and chaotic environment within the Bashir leadership. The arrest of former NISS boss Salah Gosh clarifies the Intelligence Security Service officials are all working against Bashir regime and National Congress Party in particular, and Bashir put deaf ears on its organize forces but blame on South government. The report was only made to confuse the entire country in order to mess National Congress Party and to change Bashir government especially.

Since there are no evident claims that can backup Khartoum government allegations and their National Intelligence Service report, as South Sudan do blames Sudan government of giving many materials base on the need of rebels like weapons, ammunitions, and other logistical needs. Several South Sudanese rebels who were been in jungle areas inside Sudan are exodusily  back  to South Sudan government with unaccounts weapons, military trucks and other materials that make them to survive in jungle . The best example to prove that Sudan government is backing South Sudan rebels are like the coming of Brig. Gen. Johnson Uliny who reports himself last week to the South government because of Presidential amnesty issued by the president.

Others rebels leaders like Monytuil, Gordon Koang, and the rest do state clearly that the Sudanese government has been helping them in all what they need in order to instabilize the new nation government. But what about the claims Sudan government put forward against South. What prove does Sudanese government give to show South Sudan government is supporting SPLM-N? Just a matter of exchanging accuses which will not help Bashir. Still renegade David Yau Yau is being supported by Khartoum government and currently he is taking refuge in Khartoum.

Sudanese government and other extremists may believe in whatever intelligence Security Services may give especially those who are backing up Bashir statement and National Congress Party extremists as true evidences. South Sudan government may help in one way or other but there are no evident to prove the allegations files against them as South government always denying the claims. Khartoum regime even ruling party the National Congress Party government itself can testify this internationally as there are many internal problems facing the Sudan government itself as like of South Sudan where its rebels are trekking back from North Sudan.

Bashir forget of his internal bleeding problems that may need People of Sudan to look for change, and this change had begun several years. For instance, Western Darfur region, Eastern Sudan had been fighting for their right. Though the opposition parties had clarifies their 100-day plan aimed of overthrowing the regime of NCP and Al-Bashir, Sudanese people are ready to have change, and it could be called toppling of government. Bashir has been hated most by his brothers and colleagues because of over stay in power and put the country into bad image of terror groups and ICC which also need change. These rebels are capable and competent to topple National Congress Party regime. There is no doubt that Sudanese people are not ready to make regime change rather than what Bashir put on South Sudan government.

Of course, when you are on fire, you blame others and for sure your weakness and negligent may accounts on you, this is what Bashir is doing. He is accusing South Sudan government because SPLM-N and Opposition parties had gain momentum to take control of Sudan in order to make some changes. Toppling the Bashir regime has nothing that can benefit South Sudanese people at all if their toppling succeeds. Their struggle base on regime change and it will not succeed because of external support then internal like the opposition parties and the entire Sudanese people who are tired of Bashirism policies but to have change at all

Who benefits most in the Cooperation Peace Agreement whom Bashir is cancelling? It is the Sudanese people not South Sudan because there are nothing South Sudanese people are trading, owning in Khartoum like businesses, plots, houses and many more. Cancellation of Nine cooperation agreement sign last year by the two Sudans governments, the Sudan government is now trying to cancel it because of ungrounded accusation. All Khartoum regimes are like that, and South Sudan government is not shock because of that inherit behaviors of dishonoring an agreement. There are thousands of agreements which are dishonored by Khartoum government and 1972 Addis Ababa agreement is best live example.

Sudanese President believe that the closure of crude oil will horrify new nation economy, but this could not have any effect on South Sudan economy because South Sudanese people where fighting for two decades without receiving or surviving on oil money but depend on agricultural activities until this time. They also have many friends that may belt them out from any economic crisis if they avail. But what about Sudan whose president is indicted due to genocide, war crime and crime against humanity? Who will help the nation of terror? The best answer is to let South oil flow to avoid economic hardship.

If Sudan government implements its decision of shut down South crude oil? God forbid! It will be Sudan government to face it rough. This is because Sudan government especially the NCP extremists are ICC candidature, no one to associated themselves with them and since Sudan is qualified member of terrorism group. They will not be assisted in term of finance to back up their economy in case of Economic crisis if arise.

However, if South Sudan retaliates on Sudanese President Statement by closing all the businesses which are being run in South Sudan like Sudan airways, Khartoum Bank also known Chart One Bank, embassy and other businesses operating inside South Sudan then Khartoum government will know that they are benefiting most in South government. Many businesses are being run here by an Arabs but no one is disturbing them. The buildings of peaceful co-existent between the two Sudans turn now the trust of enemy.

Mading De Manyok lives in Juba, South Sudan, reach him via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

By Luk Kuth Dak

June 9, 2013 (SSNA) -- Most certainly, you can make that argument, and you might be surprised to come to that conclusion, especially if you were paying attention to the news media of late.

It's self evident that the forlorn Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS), Mr. Riak Machar Teny, Ph.D., is becoming more and more of a nuisance and clearly angry. He lashes out on anyone and everyone in South Sudan.

Like it matters to him, he's been doggedly and publicly critical of the President of the Republic, Cde. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM/A). And for some reasons, he seems to take such a great joy in plunging their morals, which's quite disturbing, especially at this critical juncture in the history of our young nation.

Hence, in reality, there's of course, nothing wrong with self-criticism. In fact, it's a great tradition, but only when the mission is sincere and the intentions are in the best interest of the people we govern. Unfortunately, in Mr. Machar's case they aren't.

Ironically, the local media are turning a blind eye to ridicule this barrage of bizarre behavior, giving him even more room to justify injecting his poison in dividing our peoples on tribal lines. So, the VP has two choices to make. Either he likes what he sees or move on. Because publicly bashing the government and the party that made him the number (2) most powerful man in the Republic, is nothing less than treason.

By way of example, in Western democracies, the VP serves at the pleasure of the President. And in the United States of America, for instance, President Barrack Obama and his VP Joe Biden often have breakfast together. It's there that they talk about the pressing issues that they need to work on. " Joe, I want you to go to your former colleagues in the Congress to lobby them about such and such, he would ask."  “Yes, Mr. President, I will do my best, he would answer. That's what they call partnership, ladies and gentlemen.

In essence, the people of South Sudan elected Salva Kiir Mayadit. Machar was simply a running mate. But for those of us who know a thing or two about the RSS VP, none of his outburst came as a surprise. After all the man has never been a true believer in the SPLM. His only motive in joining the movement was/is to advance his personal goals and not that of a nation.

Truth of the matter, Mr. Machar's simply a power-hungry man, who despite his much-bragged about Ph.D., he still belives that the Nuer Prophet, Ngundeng Bong, not the voters in South Sudan, will carry him to the Presidential Palace in Juba.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

The author is a former anchorman at Juba Radio. Reach him at luke This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .