Review on Latest Developments in both North and South Sudan: Post-Independence Politics of Oil (Economic War) & Tribal Conflicts that have rocked South Sudan over the last two months. What does it means to both adversaries that need stability with economy and security.
December 1st – 2011 - January 31st 2012: Nyok Achuoth Gor a Transnational Research Officer with STATT has been following recent developments between two adversaries with interest and significant worry one how will this economic wars end.
What does unilateral decisions over oil dispute means to the fragile Post-Independence negotiations between the two Sudans since South Sudan became independence from the rest of Sudan? How will the game of long adversaries’ support to rebels from both sides end?
Below are some of the thoughts that Nyok presents on behalf of STATT that is so committed to share issues of grassroots with the world?
Since the independence of South Sudan from the rest of Sudan, both countries have been engaged in economic cold wars a tit for tat game due to a bitter divorce that both countries had brought about by the CPA signed in 2005. The Northern Sudan has not been making things easy for South do establish itself as a new state coming out from nothing but a war-torn over a period of two decades. Both sides still have lack of trust toward each other due to a long adversary on issues of economic development as one of the item on the menu of civil war.
The latest developments of both countries’ unilateral decision over oil revenues dispute where both sides have been accusing each other since the independence of South Sudan puts the current fragile diplomatic relation and negotiations into a risk of collapse. And since oil has been one of the items that made both sides go to war for such a long time. Oil could still play some significant role for better or bad since both sides depend on oil heavily. Unilateral decision that was made by South Sudan to shut down its oil production because South Sudan government believed that this is a daylight robbing of its own resource by North Sudan. While North Sudan accuses South Sudan for not paying oil transit fees for oil of which there has been no agreement reached over oil dispute since both parties have been heavily involved in the negotiation after the referendum of Southern Sudan.
Therefore, in my view such unilateral decisions could lead the already fragile relation defined by many issues including oil, border demarcation dispute, debts sharing and citizenships among many others between the two sides. Both countries need to constantly engage in negotiation so that a consensus agreement on oil dispute is achieved before things go out of hand which could result into a conflict of which Sudan has been trying to instigate but South Sudan has been unable to militarily respond due to its own strategic move to avoid going back to war with North Sudan.
The current talk being mediated by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel led by former South African President Mbeki has not been really yielding any progress so far simply due to lack of pressure from African Union as a peak body in the continent on both adversaries over an oil dispute. This means much more pressure need to be asserted on both sides in order for them to come to consensus and this would not be really offer by African Union alone but international community’s involvement is highly recommended in that case and this could lead to both sides coming to genuine consensus.
How will the game of long adversaries’ for support to rebels from both sides end?
South Sudan has been rocked by tribal and militias conflict before and after the referendum conduct and independence of South Sudan on July 9th 2011. In the last two months tribal conflicts have been worsening particularly in Jonglei between Murle, Nuer-Lou and Dinka Bor tribal groups which have claimed thousands of innocent lives and left hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes that have been destroyed as well. However, the ongoing tribal conflicts are being fuel by cattle rustling with women and children kidnapping practices that raise the question of whether the government of South Sudan is really able to provide security to its own people without giving excuses that Khartoum of arming certain tribes such as Murle through rebel groups based within South Sudan. This kind of excuses could prove what opponents of South Sudanese in Khartoum have been arguing (during the civil war 1983-2005) that South Sudanese people are incapable to manage and deliver security needed to their own civilian which is happening now.
Besides the worrying trend within South Sudan, conflicts have been going on within North Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and Blue states between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army-North (SPLM/A-N) sector since the June 2011 are being blamed on Juba as the supporter of SPLM/A-North against Khartoum. This tit for tat game will continue to put the current fragile relationship into a risky situation and that is not what is really needed at this time between both Sudans. These developments of (conflicts) are likely to continue until both sides are able to settle issues of significant concern such as the oil dispute that tends to surge above the water and that would reduce stretching apart both countries at this time.
Is the proposed Pipeline through Kenya as per the last week signed memo between GoSS and Kenya a viable and alternative solution or will it adversely increase the problem between the North and South Sudan? Is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South's oil to the international market?
The question of proposed pipeline agreement between the government of South Sudan and Kenyan government is also a very important latest development that needs deep analysis because there are challenges too on this proposed pipeline which include the cost to build the pipeline, time frame for its completion and will this strategy be a threatening one to Sudan so that it soften its behaviours toward South Sudan. There is no doubt that this new proposed pipeline will benefit Kenya or any other country that the landlocked South Sudan will build its oil pipeline through and definitely that country will gain transit fees. Hence, this will improve relation between South Sudan and Kenya or any other country that South Sudan will build its pipeline through and government have proposed four alternative routes.
Nonetheless, this development could exacerbate the already fragile relation between the North and South Sudan because North Sudan will definitely lose oil revenue that it would have obtains through the pipeline that has been use to export oil to the international market through Port Sudan.
Is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South's oil to the international market?
On the question whether, is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South Sudan’s oil to the international market? It is not yet clear at this time because my fear is that according to the politics of free market each nation including Kenya always work hard to put their interest first than the interest of South Sudan and who knows whether Kenya or any other country (proposed in South Sudan’s four alternative routes for pipeline) will charge South Sudan with high transit fees as Sudan is now pushing at the ongoing negotiation.
Hence this thinking is provoked by the fact that both Sudans can reach a good agreement if there is a strong pressure asserted on them by international community which is not there at this time. Sudan is taking advantage of a weaker South Sudan economically and militarily if things were to get out of hand any time and I don’t think any of these countries will really afford to go back to war at this time particularly South Sudan is at the weakest position compared to North Sudan. But considering humanitarian situation, it would be a disaster considering current ongoing humanitarians situations in both countries caused by wars.
I believed South Sudan can still afford to give even 10% - 15% of its oil revenue for s two to three years as a form of helping Sudan adjust to the loss of 78% of oil revenue it used to control before South Sudan became independence compared to impact of stopping oil production as a result of disputes on oil. Am sure it could yield some positive results for both nations to continue to find a better ground for settling outstanding issues such as the issue of border dispute, Abyei Referendum, some of ongoing conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile that are also a problem to South Sudan.
The recent step taken by the Khartoum to released four tank oil vessels yet to unfold in more details what it means to South Sudan since it has not formally responded whether to resume its oil production and export it through North Sudan.
These views are presented from Nyok’s analysis of recent developments in both North and South Sudan. Nyok is a Transnational Research Officer with STATT.
Nyok Achouth Gor - South Sudan Focus
Welcome to Nyok Achouth Gor - South Sudan Focus Blog. This blog is dedicated to my long contribution to the Republic of South Sudan (RoSS). My contribution to the RoSS is traced back to my father's and other immediate family members' sacrified of their lives and my proud role of taking arm at the age of 13th-16th in the SPLA that fought for the liberation of South Sudanese. Thanks for visiting this blog.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Review on Latest Developments in both North and South Sudan Dec 1st-2011- Jan 31st -2012
Review on Latest Developments in both North and South Sudan: Post-Independence Politics of Oil (Economic War) & Tribal Conflicts that have rocked South Sudan over the last two months. What does it means to both adversaries that need stability with economy and security.
December 1st – 2011 - January 31st 2012: Nyok Achuoth Gor a Transnational Research Officer with STATT has been following recent developments between two adversaries with interest and significant worry one how will this economic wars end.
What does unilateral decisions over oil dispute means to the fragile Post-Independence negotiations between the two Sudans since South Sudan became independence from the rest of Sudan? How will the game of long adversaries’ support to rebels from both sides end?
Below are some of the thoughts that Nyok presents on behalf of STATT that is so committed to share issues of grassroots with the world?
Since the independence of South Sudan from the rest of Sudan, both countries have been engaged in economic cold wars a tit for tat game due to a bitter divorce that both countries had brought about by the CPA signed in 2005. The Northern Sudan has not been making things easy for South do establish itself as a new state coming out from nothing but a war-torn over a period of two decades. Both sides still have lack of trust toward each other due to a long adversary on issues of economic development as one of the item on the menu of civil war.
The latest developments of both countries’ unilateral decision over oil revenues dispute where both sides have been accusing each other since the independence of South Sudan puts the current fragile diplomatic relation and negotiations into a risk of collapse. And since oil has been one of the items that made both sides go to war for such a long time. Oil could still play some significant role for better or bad since both sides depend on oil heavily. Unilateral decision that was made by South Sudan to shut down its oil production because South Sudan government believed that this is a daylight robbing of its own resource by North Sudan. While North Sudan accuses South Sudan for not paying oil transit fees for oil of which there has been no agreement reached over oil dispute since both parties have been heavily involved in the negotiation after the referendum of Southern Sudan.
Therefore, in my view such unilateral decisions could lead the already fragile relation defined by many issues including oil, border demarcation dispute, debts sharing and citizenships among many others between the two sides. Both countries need to constantly engage in negotiation so that a consensus agreement on oil dispute is achieved before things go out of hand which could result into a conflict of which Sudan has been trying to instigate but South Sudan has been unable to militarily respond due to its own strategic move to avoid going back to war with North Sudan.
The current talk being mediated by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel led by former South African President Mbeki has not been really yielding any progress so far simply due to lack of pressure from African Union as a peak body in the continent on both adversaries over an oil dispute. This means much more pressure need to be asserted on both sides in order for them to come to consensus and this would not be really offer by African Union alone but international community’s involvement is highly recommended in that case and this could lead to both sides coming to genuine consensus.
How will the game of long adversaries’ for support to rebels from both sides end?
South Sudan has been rocked by tribal and militias conflict before and after the referendum conduct and independence of South Sudan on July 9th 2011. In the last two months tribal conflicts have been worsening particularly in Jonglei between Murle, Nuer-Lou and Dinka Bor tribal groups which have claimed thousands of innocent lives and left hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes that have been destroyed as well. However, the ongoing tribal conflicts are being fuel by cattle rustling with women and children kidnapping practices that raise the question of whether the government of South Sudan is really able to provide security to its own people without giving excuses that Khartoum of arming certain tribes such as Murle through rebel groups based within South Sudan. This kind of excuses could prove what opponents of South Sudanese in Khartoum have been arguing (during the civil war 1983-2005) that South Sudanese people are incapable to manage and deliver security needed to their own civilian which is happening now.
Besides the worrying trend within South Sudan, conflicts have been going on within North Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and Blue states between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army-North (SPLM/A-N) sector since the June 2011 are being blamed on Juba as the supporter of SPLM/A-North against Khartoum. This tit for tat game will continue to put the current fragile relationship into a risky situation and that is not what is really needed at this time between both Sudans. These developments of (conflicts) are likely to continue until both sides are able to settle issues of significant concern such as the oil dispute that tends to surge above the water and that would reduce stretching apart both countries at this time.
Is the proposed Pipeline through Kenya as per the last week signed memo between GoSS and Kenya a viable and alternative solution or will it adversely increase the problem between the North and South Sudan? Is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South's oil to the international market?
The question of proposed pipeline agreement between the government of South Sudan and Kenyan government is also a very important latest development that needs deep analysis because there are challenges too on this proposed pipeline which include the cost to build the pipeline, time frame for its completion and will this strategy be a threatening one to Sudan so that it soften its behaviours toward South Sudan. There is no doubt that this new proposed pipeline will benefit Kenya or any other country that the landlocked South Sudan will build its oil pipeline through and definitely that country will gain transit fees. Hence, this will improve relation between South Sudan and Kenya or any other country that South Sudan will build its pipeline through and government have proposed four alternative routes.
Nonetheless, this development could exacerbate the already fragile relation between the North and South Sudan because North Sudan will definitely lose oil revenue that it would have obtains through the pipeline that has been use to export oil to the international market through Port Sudan.
Is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South's oil to the international market?
On the question whether, is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South Sudan’s oil to the international market? It is not yet clear at this time because my fear is that according to the politics of free market each nation including Kenya always work hard to put their interest first than the interest of South Sudan and who knows whether Kenya or any other country (proposed in South Sudan’s four alternative routes for pipeline) will charge South Sudan with high transit fees as Sudan is now pushing at the ongoing negotiation.
Hence this thinking is provoked by the fact that both Sudans can reach a good agreement if there is a strong pressure asserted on them by international community which is not there at this time. Sudan is taking advantage of a weaker South Sudan economically and militarily if things were to get out of hand any time and I don’t think any of these countries will really afford to go back to war at this time particularly South Sudan is at the weakest position compared to North Sudan. But considering humanitarian situation, it would be a disaster considering current ongoing humanitarians situations in both countries caused by wars.
I believed South Sudan can still afford to give even 10% - 15% of its oil revenue for s two to three years as a form of helping Sudan adjust to the loss of 78% of oil revenue it used to control before South Sudan became independence compared to impact of stopping oil production as a result of disputes on oil. Am sure it could yield some positive results for both nations to continue to find a better ground for settling outstanding issues such as the issue of border dispute, Abyei Referendum, some of ongoing conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile that are also a problem to South Sudan.
The recent step taken by the Khartoum to released four tank oil vessels yet to unfold in more details what it means to South Sudan since it has not formally responded whether to resume its oil production and export it through North Sudan.
These views are presented from Nyok’s analysis of recent developments in both North and South Sudan. Nyok is a Transnational Research Officer with STATT.
December 1st – 2011 - January 31st 2012: Nyok Achuoth Gor a Transnational Research Officer with STATT has been following recent developments between two adversaries with interest and significant worry one how will this economic wars end.
What does unilateral decisions over oil dispute means to the fragile Post-Independence negotiations between the two Sudans since South Sudan became independence from the rest of Sudan? How will the game of long adversaries’ support to rebels from both sides end?
Below are some of the thoughts that Nyok presents on behalf of STATT that is so committed to share issues of grassroots with the world?
Since the independence of South Sudan from the rest of Sudan, both countries have been engaged in economic cold wars a tit for tat game due to a bitter divorce that both countries had brought about by the CPA signed in 2005. The Northern Sudan has not been making things easy for South do establish itself as a new state coming out from nothing but a war-torn over a period of two decades. Both sides still have lack of trust toward each other due to a long adversary on issues of economic development as one of the item on the menu of civil war.
The latest developments of both countries’ unilateral decision over oil revenues dispute where both sides have been accusing each other since the independence of South Sudan puts the current fragile diplomatic relation and negotiations into a risk of collapse. And since oil has been one of the items that made both sides go to war for such a long time. Oil could still play some significant role for better or bad since both sides depend on oil heavily. Unilateral decision that was made by South Sudan to shut down its oil production because South Sudan government believed that this is a daylight robbing of its own resource by North Sudan. While North Sudan accuses South Sudan for not paying oil transit fees for oil of which there has been no agreement reached over oil dispute since both parties have been heavily involved in the negotiation after the referendum of Southern Sudan.
Therefore, in my view such unilateral decisions could lead the already fragile relation defined by many issues including oil, border demarcation dispute, debts sharing and citizenships among many others between the two sides. Both countries need to constantly engage in negotiation so that a consensus agreement on oil dispute is achieved before things go out of hand which could result into a conflict of which Sudan has been trying to instigate but South Sudan has been unable to militarily respond due to its own strategic move to avoid going back to war with North Sudan.
The current talk being mediated by the African Union High Level Implementation Panel led by former South African President Mbeki has not been really yielding any progress so far simply due to lack of pressure from African Union as a peak body in the continent on both adversaries over an oil dispute. This means much more pressure need to be asserted on both sides in order for them to come to consensus and this would not be really offer by African Union alone but international community’s involvement is highly recommended in that case and this could lead to both sides coming to genuine consensus.
How will the game of long adversaries’ for support to rebels from both sides end?
South Sudan has been rocked by tribal and militias conflict before and after the referendum conduct and independence of South Sudan on July 9th 2011. In the last two months tribal conflicts have been worsening particularly in Jonglei between Murle, Nuer-Lou and Dinka Bor tribal groups which have claimed thousands of innocent lives and left hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes that have been destroyed as well. However, the ongoing tribal conflicts are being fuel by cattle rustling with women and children kidnapping practices that raise the question of whether the government of South Sudan is really able to provide security to its own people without giving excuses that Khartoum of arming certain tribes such as Murle through rebel groups based within South Sudan. This kind of excuses could prove what opponents of South Sudanese in Khartoum have been arguing (during the civil war 1983-2005) that South Sudanese people are incapable to manage and deliver security needed to their own civilian which is happening now.
Besides the worrying trend within South Sudan, conflicts have been going on within North Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and Blue states between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army-North (SPLM/A-N) sector since the June 2011 are being blamed on Juba as the supporter of SPLM/A-North against Khartoum. This tit for tat game will continue to put the current fragile relationship into a risky situation and that is not what is really needed at this time between both Sudans. These developments of (conflicts) are likely to continue until both sides are able to settle issues of significant concern such as the oil dispute that tends to surge above the water and that would reduce stretching apart both countries at this time.
Is the proposed Pipeline through Kenya as per the last week signed memo between GoSS and Kenya a viable and alternative solution or will it adversely increase the problem between the North and South Sudan? Is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South's oil to the international market?
The question of proposed pipeline agreement between the government of South Sudan and Kenyan government is also a very important latest development that needs deep analysis because there are challenges too on this proposed pipeline which include the cost to build the pipeline, time frame for its completion and will this strategy be a threatening one to Sudan so that it soften its behaviours toward South Sudan. There is no doubt that this new proposed pipeline will benefit Kenya or any other country that the landlocked South Sudan will build its oil pipeline through and definitely that country will gain transit fees. Hence, this will improve relation between South Sudan and Kenya or any other country that South Sudan will build its pipeline through and government have proposed four alternative routes.
Nonetheless, this development could exacerbate the already fragile relation between the North and South Sudan because North Sudan will definitely lose oil revenue that it would have obtains through the pipeline that has been use to export oil to the international market through Port Sudan.
Is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South's oil to the international market?
On the question whether, is Kenya the best reliable nation that will guarantee a safe route for exporting South Sudan’s oil to the international market? It is not yet clear at this time because my fear is that according to the politics of free market each nation including Kenya always work hard to put their interest first than the interest of South Sudan and who knows whether Kenya or any other country (proposed in South Sudan’s four alternative routes for pipeline) will charge South Sudan with high transit fees as Sudan is now pushing at the ongoing negotiation.
Hence this thinking is provoked by the fact that both Sudans can reach a good agreement if there is a strong pressure asserted on them by international community which is not there at this time. Sudan is taking advantage of a weaker South Sudan economically and militarily if things were to get out of hand any time and I don’t think any of these countries will really afford to go back to war at this time particularly South Sudan is at the weakest position compared to North Sudan. But considering humanitarian situation, it would be a disaster considering current ongoing humanitarians situations in both countries caused by wars.
I believed South Sudan can still afford to give even 10% - 15% of its oil revenue for s two to three years as a form of helping Sudan adjust to the loss of 78% of oil revenue it used to control before South Sudan became independence compared to impact of stopping oil production as a result of disputes on oil. Am sure it could yield some positive results for both nations to continue to find a better ground for settling outstanding issues such as the issue of border dispute, Abyei Referendum, some of ongoing conflicts in South Kordofan and Blue Nile that are also a problem to South Sudan.
The recent step taken by the Khartoum to released four tank oil vessels yet to unfold in more details what it means to South Sudan since it has not formally responded whether to resume its oil production and export it through North Sudan.
These views are presented from Nyok’s analysis of recent developments in both North and South Sudan. Nyok is a Transnational Research Officer with STATT.
Friday, July 8, 2011
My Personal Testament in the wake of South Sudan Independent
AN INDEPENDENT DAY FOR THE REPUBIC OF SOUTH SUDAN (ROSS) IS A DAY I NEVER DREAM TO WITNESS IN MY LIFE, BUT IS HAS COME AS A REALITY TO ME.
The independent of South Sudan that is due to happen in July 9, 2011 is going to be a testament to my life and millions of South Sudanese both who have died and those that are still alive any where in the world as well as in South Sudan. I have been searching for this freedom and liberty for more than 27 years of my life till this year in July 9, 2011 that I am going to witness and welcome the change of freedom in my life with other millions of South Sudanese people allover the world. With this change, I first have to admit that I did not know whether I might witness this day of South Sudan's Independent from North. millions of South Sudanese people who have died will never witness this day due to the sacrificed they have made through their own lives. During that time I referred to as "dark days of my life" millions of South Sudanese boys, women, children and soldiers including my close colleagues in the SPLA army (as child-soldiers) died without dreaming that they will be able to see this day of South Sudan's independent of which I am grateful to witness it and will be a testament in my life.
THANKS TO GOD.
I ceased to take this opportunity to firstly thanks God for taking care of my: life, mother, younger siblings, other immediate family members that I separated with for years, those immediate family relatives that I have never met since I was born till the time I left Sudan, and for the lives of millions of South Sudanese people in those dark days of war until to today. I thanks God that I am in Australia and about to celebrate the Independent of my Country 'The Republic of South Sudan' with thousands of South Sudanese Australians as a joyful moment in my life. It is an opportunity that will go down as a history with significant change for the freedom in many generations to come as long as the human race continues to live on this planet. Our lives as South Sudanese will never be the same again, people of South Sudan will be able to live and lead their lives freely like any other free people of the world that have been enjoying freedom and liberty for centuries.
With millions of South Sudanese all-over the world celebrating the independent of South Sudan I feel great to see this day and memories of this significant life changing event will be unforgettable and will be a testament to generations that will come behind me as I fulfill the struggle that my father with his son Panchol Achouth along-side millions of South Sudanese who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of South Sudan and it's people. It is a continuation of struggle that I am proud of as a South Sudanese-Australian in Australia thousands of miles away from my ancestors home land.
MY AN INVALUABLE THANKS AND RESPECT TO MY FALLEN SOUTH SUDANESE HEROES AND HEROINES
My an invaluable thanks and credit goes to all my South Sudanese matyers who have sacrificed their lives in order for me to witness this upcoming independent day of South Sudan. I owe them an invaluable credit for their unpaid-able scarifies they made through their lives during the war; hence, I take an oath to continue in their put steps for the preceding generations to have freedom as I am about to test the fruit of freedom on July 9, 2011 when I will be able to sing the National Anthem for the Republic of South Sudan as my origin identity.
THANKS TO AUSTRALIA AND IT'S PEOPLE FOR HELPING WITNESS THE JULY 9, 2011.
In Addition, I would like to thanks Australia and it's people for the opportunity they gave me with my family to be part of the small number of South Sudanese people that was resettled in Australia during the war between the North and South Sudan (1983-2005). The opportunity given to me has changed my life to a full recognition of my humanity as a human being. With all opportunities that I have gain here in Australia I invaluably owe Australia and it's people so much debt of life with all opportunities I have enjoyed so far in the last 7.3 years that I have lived in Australia. Therefore, I would like to join other South Sudanese Australians to thanks Australia for giving me chance to participate during the referendum in Canberra as a Referendum Voting Centre Co-Manager. It was an opportunity that I never dream of as one day I will be able to participates in the liberation of South Sudan through peaceful voting process to decide the fate of my future and the preceding generations through voting, I only knew South Sudan will be liberated through gun points.
THANKS TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PARTICULARLY THE US FOR THE LEADERSHIP THEY TOOK TO FACILITATES PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF REFERENDUM.
I too thanks the international community particularly the US and it's allies in Europe for an effort they made to facilitate the conduct of referendum and their continued support at this time of South Sudan independent in peaceful process. Without the support of international community South Sudanese people would never witness the July 9, 2011 without bloodshed. Personally I thanks the leadership of international community for being able to stand with people of South Sudan lastly after more than fives decades of civil wars since 1955-1972 after the colonial departure from Sudan and in 1983-2005.
A BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF NATION BUILDING FROM SCRACH AWAIT ME AND MILLIONS OF SOUTH SUDANESE PEOPLE.
Am so overwhelm with joy of having an independent country, however, I clearly do understand the biggest challenge of building the South Sudan as it will be the difficult task than fighting the war and I don't take the next challenge lightly. My joy is also being overshadow by the current shape of South Sudanese leaders' handling of government tainted with tribal, corrupt and lack of basic services delivery to people of South Sudan since CPA was singed is my main concern. I believed the politics of South Sudan guided by tribal politics will take the centre stage after the independent, which will be the big challenge to all South Sudanese people and it should be an opportunity for all people of south sudan to denounce all forms of injustice, corrupt system, tribalism, and marginalization of majority illiterates in South Sudan by few clique elites.
I AM COMMITTED TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE OF BUILDING THE NATION OF SOUTH SUDAN REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT CAUSED ME INCLUDING MY LIFE.
As I believed the struggle to achieved the dream of Free South Sudan begins, it is my dream that I will commit myself to help my people achieve the aspiration of dream they would want to live. These will be accomplish through education as one of the strongest tool to empower my people so that they are able to stand up for their own feet of political awareness. I am going to do this through scholarship program as one of the ways that I have already started with one boy in Kenya through Australian mate who has committed herself to pay for the school fees for the boy and i will continues to seek opportunities to achieve this dream for more kids to get decent education. And I believed every Southerner in Australia, America, Canada, Europe and back at home are going to contribute in different forms as building the nation will prove
I do hope that South Sudan will achieve the dream that it's people have been struggling for 191 years, although it will take time for this dream to be fulfill, this road of South Sudan is not going to be an easy tasks to happened but I believed we the people of South Sudan shall continue the course of struggle in all forms.
Long live people of South Sudan, long live SPLM/A, long live the ROSS.
The Author is a South Sudanese Decedent but lived in Melbourne Australia.
The independent of South Sudan that is due to happen in July 9, 2011 is going to be a testament to my life and millions of South Sudanese both who have died and those that are still alive any where in the world as well as in South Sudan. I have been searching for this freedom and liberty for more than 27 years of my life till this year in July 9, 2011 that I am going to witness and welcome the change of freedom in my life with other millions of South Sudanese people allover the world. With this change, I first have to admit that I did not know whether I might witness this day of South Sudan's Independent from North. millions of South Sudanese people who have died will never witness this day due to the sacrificed they have made through their own lives. During that time I referred to as "dark days of my life" millions of South Sudanese boys, women, children and soldiers including my close colleagues in the SPLA army (as child-soldiers) died without dreaming that they will be able to see this day of South Sudan's independent of which I am grateful to witness it and will be a testament in my life.
THANKS TO GOD.
I ceased to take this opportunity to firstly thanks God for taking care of my: life, mother, younger siblings, other immediate family members that I separated with for years, those immediate family relatives that I have never met since I was born till the time I left Sudan, and for the lives of millions of South Sudanese people in those dark days of war until to today. I thanks God that I am in Australia and about to celebrate the Independent of my Country 'The Republic of South Sudan' with thousands of South Sudanese Australians as a joyful moment in my life. It is an opportunity that will go down as a history with significant change for the freedom in many generations to come as long as the human race continues to live on this planet. Our lives as South Sudanese will never be the same again, people of South Sudan will be able to live and lead their lives freely like any other free people of the world that have been enjoying freedom and liberty for centuries.
With millions of South Sudanese all-over the world celebrating the independent of South Sudan I feel great to see this day and memories of this significant life changing event will be unforgettable and will be a testament to generations that will come behind me as I fulfill the struggle that my father with his son Panchol Achouth along-side millions of South Sudanese who have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of South Sudan and it's people. It is a continuation of struggle that I am proud of as a South Sudanese-Australian in Australia thousands of miles away from my ancestors home land.
MY AN INVALUABLE THANKS AND RESPECT TO MY FALLEN SOUTH SUDANESE HEROES AND HEROINES
My an invaluable thanks and credit goes to all my South Sudanese matyers who have sacrificed their lives in order for me to witness this upcoming independent day of South Sudan. I owe them an invaluable credit for their unpaid-able scarifies they made through their lives during the war; hence, I take an oath to continue in their put steps for the preceding generations to have freedom as I am about to test the fruit of freedom on July 9, 2011 when I will be able to sing the National Anthem for the Republic of South Sudan as my origin identity.
THANKS TO AUSTRALIA AND IT'S PEOPLE FOR HELPING WITNESS THE JULY 9, 2011.
In Addition, I would like to thanks Australia and it's people for the opportunity they gave me with my family to be part of the small number of South Sudanese people that was resettled in Australia during the war between the North and South Sudan (1983-2005). The opportunity given to me has changed my life to a full recognition of my humanity as a human being. With all opportunities that I have gain here in Australia I invaluably owe Australia and it's people so much debt of life with all opportunities I have enjoyed so far in the last 7.3 years that I have lived in Australia. Therefore, I would like to join other South Sudanese Australians to thanks Australia for giving me chance to participate during the referendum in Canberra as a Referendum Voting Centre Co-Manager. It was an opportunity that I never dream of as one day I will be able to participates in the liberation of South Sudan through peaceful voting process to decide the fate of my future and the preceding generations through voting, I only knew South Sudan will be liberated through gun points.
THANKS TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PARTICULARLY THE US FOR THE LEADERSHIP THEY TOOK TO FACILITATES PEACEFUL CONDUCT OF REFERENDUM.
I too thanks the international community particularly the US and it's allies in Europe for an effort they made to facilitate the conduct of referendum and their continued support at this time of South Sudan independent in peaceful process. Without the support of international community South Sudanese people would never witness the July 9, 2011 without bloodshed. Personally I thanks the leadership of international community for being able to stand with people of South Sudan lastly after more than fives decades of civil wars since 1955-1972 after the colonial departure from Sudan and in 1983-2005.
A BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF NATION BUILDING FROM SCRACH AWAIT ME AND MILLIONS OF SOUTH SUDANESE PEOPLE.
Am so overwhelm with joy of having an independent country, however, I clearly do understand the biggest challenge of building the South Sudan as it will be the difficult task than fighting the war and I don't take the next challenge lightly. My joy is also being overshadow by the current shape of South Sudanese leaders' handling of government tainted with tribal, corrupt and lack of basic services delivery to people of South Sudan since CPA was singed is my main concern. I believed the politics of South Sudan guided by tribal politics will take the centre stage after the independent, which will be the big challenge to all South Sudanese people and it should be an opportunity for all people of south sudan to denounce all forms of injustice, corrupt system, tribalism, and marginalization of majority illiterates in South Sudan by few clique elites.
I AM COMMITTED TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE OF BUILDING THE NATION OF SOUTH SUDAN REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT CAUSED ME INCLUDING MY LIFE.
As I believed the struggle to achieved the dream of Free South Sudan begins, it is my dream that I will commit myself to help my people achieve the aspiration of dream they would want to live. These will be accomplish through education as one of the strongest tool to empower my people so that they are able to stand up for their own feet of political awareness. I am going to do this through scholarship program as one of the ways that I have already started with one boy in Kenya through Australian mate who has committed herself to pay for the school fees for the boy and i will continues to seek opportunities to achieve this dream for more kids to get decent education. And I believed every Southerner in Australia, America, Canada, Europe and back at home are going to contribute in different forms as building the nation will prove
I do hope that South Sudan will achieve the dream that it's people have been struggling for 191 years, although it will take time for this dream to be fulfill, this road of South Sudan is not going to be an easy tasks to happened but I believed we the people of South Sudan shall continue the course of struggle in all forms.
Long live people of South Sudan, long live SPLM/A, long live the ROSS.
The Author is a South Sudanese Decedent but lived in Melbourne Australia.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The S.S. Interim Committe for Constitutional Review & Thier Effects on the Foundation of the Nation's Constitution.
1. H.E John Luk Jok,
2. H.E Telar Ring Deng (not a Minister but legal advisor to the President?),3. H.E Tor Deng Mawien (not a Minister?),
4. H.E Michael Makui Lueth
5. H.E David Deng Athorbei,
6. H.E Paul Mayom Akec,
7. H.E madam Awut Deng Acuil,
8. H.E Gabriel Changson Chang,
9. H.E madam Jemma Nunu Kumba,
10. Justice Reuben Madol Arol, 11. Justice Deng Biong,
12. Hon. Lawrence Korbandy,
13. Hon. Robert Lado Loki,
14. Prof. Deng Awur,
15. Hon. Peter Samuel Mogga,
16. Hon. Dr. William Kon Bior,
17. Hon. Mary Nyaulang Reat,
18. Dr. William Othwonh, 19. Dong Samuel Lual, 20. Hon. Dengtier Ayuen Kuur,
ADVISORS:
1. Justice Ambrose Ring Thiik,
2. Prof. Akolda man Tier,
3. Justice Bullen Panchol Awol,
4. Justice John Gatwec Lul.
This Constitional committee must represent different groups in South Sudan, classically, politically, ethnically. It must reflects other groups such as religious group, youth group, women and and disable group, It is important that this interim constitutional committee be a body that southerners will approved their work before they could commit themselves for the work of reviewing this constitution. Review of the constitution does not need rush, Southerners must get this right otherwise it will be a nation that will be run by individuals who will keep changing it every time a new leader comes into power as its now happening in many nations of Africa and Latin America where a leader would change the terms of presidency inorder to accommodate his/her own interest.
Having pointed out my view on these committee members (whose majority of them are from Dinka) does not mean that this committee members are unable to deliver the right job needed, but most importantly this job need to be done right because constitution is the base and backbone of nation and without it the country will not be able to stand on its own without individuals running the country. What need to happen in this situation is for the advisory committee members that are competent should lead the interim constitutional committee review instead of being appointed as advisers. I believed it was a wrong advise on whoever that advised you Mr. president to pick these expertise as advisers instead as leading committee members that must review this interim constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.
We Southerners need a strong constitution that will maintain peace among us as we have endured so much suffering in the last five decades of two civil wars.We Southerners need a constitution that will last to the end of current humankind's life time on the face of this planet without alteration by any man.We Southerner need a strong constitution that will over-ride the interest of any individual leader that will be able to govern southern Sudan in the future.We Southerners need a strong constitution that will fight corruption that is now eroding values of our culture, dignity and respect of public assets (including money that everybody is looking to get rich only in South Sudan).We Southerners need a strong constitution that will protect civil society and all vulnerable citizens of South Sudan from authorities that will abuse their power positions.
External Expertise Request from International Community:
The second most important group that is critically needed in this interim constitution review is to at least invite foreign expertise through African Union in countries such as South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia among few to mention in the African continent. The GoSS under the leadership of Kiir must invite expertise from international community through UNSC [United Nations Security Council] in the leading nations such as the US, Australia, New Zea land, UK and other European nations, Asian Countries like India, Japan, South Korea that support the independent of the South to help in review of this constitution. These nations can provide the South with wealth of knowledge and expertise that can guide and produce a well founded constitutions that could lead our country into a stable nation with a strong constitution of South Sudan.Therefore, this committee must be review before the constitution and it must includes all different groups mentioned above if president Kiir really want an independent South Sudan with a strong constitution that should government our nation instead of individual whose interest will prevail when reviewing this constitution.
These views are solely from the Author [Nyok Achouth Gor] he can be reach on Em: nyok4zsudan@yahoo.com.au, or nyokchouth@gmail.com, Mob: +61411813437 [Canberra - Australia].
This Blog is Dedicated to My Country the Rebuplic of South Sudan due for Independent in July 9, 2011.
This blog dedicated to the Visison of New Sudan through the aspiration our of Late leader Dr. John Garang De Mabior whom I quote here as: "we want, a Democratic [South] Sudan, a [South] Sudan of Equality, Freedom and Progress, a [South] Sudan that will take its rightful place among the nations of our planet and contribute its due share to the progress of humankind"
The Objectives for the 'South Sudan Focus' is to be able to periodically convene an online forums to discuss and help in formulating policies that can help the leadership in the government of South Sudan to add the voices of citizens and civil society on governance and reconstruction of the nation.
These objectives includes:
1. Full Implementation of New Sudan Vision Principles of Democratic South Sudan of which two civil wars were fought (1955-1972, 1983-2005) between the North and South.
2. SPLM and all Political parties in South Must Review Governance Policies for it to rule as party for the people of South Sudan than only leaders of South.
3. All institutions must step up to fight Corruption at all levels of civil society to the top government levels.
4. Full implementation of Rule of Law by improving the Judiciary System and Police Security Services5. GoSS' Foreign Relations Strategies and Policies.
Discussion on South Sudan Secessio January/February 2011: Vol. 1, Issue No.1.
Discussion on South Sudan Secessio January/February 2011: Vol. 1, Issue No.1.
My Expectations & Historic Vote for South Sudan Referendum. A right I have been searching for more than 27 years of my life
Finally I had voted (to day on Jan 12, 2011 in Canberra Australia Centre) for My Freedom and Freedom of preceding generations of South Sudanese. A freedom I had been Searching for more than 27 years of my life as an 8th year old boy.
For the first time in my life from the time I was born till I came to Australia, never had I use my basic human rights in my life or did I dream that one day I will reached the day of South Sudan Referendum the 9th of January 2011. This day has given me an opportunity to exercise my basic human rights and chose my future as I follow the same suits of my father and my older brother who have sacrificed their lives with many other millions of South Sudanese during the civil war between the North and South Sudan. With sharp memories of not only carrying gun (AK47) at the age of 13-16 but being in frontline with lots of horrible things I was involved in a conflict zone, I thank my heroes like my father (Achouth Gor, Panchol Achouth Gor, Dr. John De Garang the SPLA/M and heroines who have sacrificed their lives to bring this freedom to me with millions of Southerners around the world including the preceding generations to come as long as the human kind exists on this planet.
I did not dream that I would get an opportunity to be part of the leadership (as an Assistant Manager of the Referendum Centre in Canberra-Australia) that managed the referendum centre. It was a great opportunity and joy to be able to make sure I acts impartially for the referendum process since the beginning of Voter Registration process in November 9, 2010 till January 16, 2011 after the conclusion of referendum voting. Having fought in the war and being required to act neutrally during the referendum registration and voting was so conflicting, challenging, and contradicts taks to my previous perception on how to achieve freedom of South Sudanese people and that is by war alone. I did not had a dream that my mother, brothers and my younger sister who is 19 year old (Akech Achouth Gor) will one day vote for their future as any other South Sudanese member who should decide their future by exercising their choice of freedom without caring guns.
To my supprise, I did not know that international community led by the US, UK, Australia, other European Nations and some of African countries will stand up to ensure that individual rights like mine and millions of Southerners are protected so that they can exercise their rights of democracy in order for them to leave in peace. Like any other Southern Sudanese person I do believed international community specially the US, UK, Australia and other members of international community deserve credit from people of South Sudan wherever we are in the world. I personally thanks the international community including the Australian government, the Australian public and all my Australian friends that have been supporting us in whichever way the suffering of southerners is heard and recognized by those who don’t know it by supporting us. As South Sudanese in Australia we owed the Australian government an enormous credit due to its efforts to ensure that this referendum is conducted peacefully and fairly as acknowledged by the international observers that "it is a fair and credible referendum that had met the international standard of conducting the referendums or elections in the world". This support gave me a real opportunity to be able to choose what I want freely without political influence or interference from any authority and i.e. my choice for independent South Sudan of Freedom, Equality and Progress for All is respected.
To my supprise, I did not know that international community led by the US, UK, Australia, other European Nations and some of African countries will stand up to ensure that individual rights like mine and millions of Southerners are protected so that they can exercise their rights of democracy in order for them to leave in peace. Like any other Southern Sudanese person I do believed international community specially the US, UK, Australia and other members of international community deserve credit from people of South Sudan wherever we are in the world. I personally thanks the international community including the Australian government, the Australian public and all my Australian friends that have been supporting us in whichever way the suffering of southerners is heard and recognized by those who don’t know it by supporting us. As South Sudanese in Australia we owed the Australian government an enormous credit due to its efforts to ensure that this referendum is conducted peacefully and fairly as acknowledged by the international observers that "it is a fair and credible referendum that had met the international standard of conducting the referendums or elections in the world". This support gave me a real opportunity to be able to choose what I want freely without political influence or interference from any authority and i.e. my choice for independent South Sudan of Freedom, Equality and Progress for All is respected.
Years of living with Quilt & Shame due to My Sudanese Birth Nationality [or identity] associated with All Bad things of Sudanese by the world.
During the years I lived in three countries of Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya) as a refugee before coming to Australia I have been carrying with me feelings of quilt and shame due to how I felt all the time for being associated with the nationality of Sudanese a country known in the world with all bad things war, failed society, and people that cannot solved thier own problem in all aspects of life. This experience was so painful to me in Kenya were I have witnessed and tested the challenges of being a foreigner or a refugee in a foriegn country. I was treated with thousands of South Sudanese refugees in Northern Kenya in most cases by the Kenyan Police and their locals in an inhumane way as a foreigner wondering in a foreign land with out reason according to them. I remembered one incident where police beat us up because we could not give them money as they were asking for money from us and they said that 'Are you Christians? and we responded yes, Do you people reads your bible especially in' "Isaiah Chapter 18 where its prophesied that "God is going to punish people of Sudan (Cush)', you know what? we are the hands of God to punish you so that you will hear God's message". And the police officers beat people up with rungu (swahili word means stick). It is an experience that will never go away to the rest of my life. After this referendum I tried to reflect on those memories of my life and I felt bad but on the other hand this referendum will stop the war and it has relieved me from these feelings of quilt and shame of my identity (Sudanese) due to how it is associated with conflict and a failed society in the world. The same feeling has been happening also after coming to Australia, I continued to have the same feeling when asked 'where are you from orginally' by Australians and I said 'I come from Sudan, I found myself sometimes with reasons hide my origin (Sudanese) and I felt like I wish I was from another country that the people of Australia associates with good life of peace, good people, a country that is known because of good reputation and stability politically, economically and socially. I still struggle somtimes but I will try to think in a more positive South Sudan as a result of referendum. Now I can be a proud person from a background where life is going to be associated with people from other nations of the world that are in peace. A society where problems are settle diplomatically and peacefully,. I felt the good progress in terms of human life and my people from South sudan are re-joining the family of humankind through developments progress instead of being a burden to other countires through refugees, aid programs and many other humanitarian assistances. Now if am asked of my background then I can be proud of my background identified as Southerner from a society that is working hard to join the family of mankind in all aspects of life. It will take sometime for me to settle down with all that I had been carrying with me for more than 27 years in my life. This referendum has given me great opportunity for me to be able to re-adjust my life and identity (not to be associated with problem of Sudan) as a Southern Sudanese person.
Focus on My Homeland (South Sudan) that have costed much to me:
My next focus with the rest of Southerners back at home (The Republic of South Sudan)and in Diaspora is the expectation of development in term of good governance, establishment for the rule of law, Social justice for all and eradication of corruption (our next enemy of South Sudan). This enemy is now replacing the position of the North as it becomes an enemy number one for southerners than Arab. Development is the biggest challenge to the leadership of GoSS as well as to all people of South Sudan due to accumulated expectation for more than 50 years during the two civil wars. Southerners must be given real democracy not a perpetual democracy by leaders of South Sudan. Late Dr. Garang put this in his address in 1986 "[We need a real] democracy which embodies equality, freedom, economic and social justice and respects for [basic] human rights not as slogans but as concrete realities that have concrete content which we should promote, cherish and protect".
The Author [Nyok Achouth Gor] of this article can be reach on +61411813437, nyokachouth@gmail.com or nyok4zsudan@yahoo.com.au for any concern and clarification.
THE ROSS’ FORIEGN RELATIONS: THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN [ROSS] MUST BE SELECTIVE WITH ITS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Due to nature of states' unpredictability, the ROSS must be very vigilant and critical as it starts to engage with other nations within the international system of 'anarchy' where states are bound by the quest for "self-help". In such situation it is so crucial for the RoSS to understands the environment its operating in as an environment that give state limited or less protection and no other states will look after her regardless of whether it is a young nation that need help before it could stands on its feet.
As the system of anarchy is concern, I argues that, the ROSS must be selective while it establishes it's foreign relations with other states since all states are bound by ‘self interest’ which could disadvantaged its both statecraft and national interest as a young nation: economically, politically, and strategically. The ROSS must join the world with a clear knowledge that it has to be independent from any country pretending to nurture it as a young nation that need helps; however, it must slowly develops such relations without rush and that could place it in a better position to know who are the best friends that it can trust though it's very difficult for states to trust each other due to ‘security dilemma’ of international system of anarchy.
As a nation born from almost two centuries of bitter struggle for freedom from its Ottoman Empire and colonial rulers since 1820-1955.The same states (such as the UK, Egypt, Russia and the US) are still engage in their own agendas in different forms (in the contexts of 21st century slavery and marginalisation) either in form of economic marginalization and development supports facilitated in a very dishonest forms of diplomatic relations with various countries. These dishonest relations are evidenced in the situation of South Sudanese people's struggle against injustice in the last 191 years since 1820- 2011 as history can tell, where some countries have been changing their relations styles based on national interest. For such reasons the RoSS has to be very critical in its diplomatic relations with all these states that seem to be of a good benefit to her particularly the US whose interest end up to destroy other statehoods if its interest is not guaranteed by a state like the RoSS as it is now happening in the Middle East.The RoSS must be watchful of any exploitative diplomatic relations as it establishes its foreign relations with various countries in the region of Africa who are puppets of western countries. For instance, a state such as Uganda that would-be the strong ally and a neighbour that shares common issues with the RoSS is the best example known that the nation of South Sudan must be watchful of its relations as it serves double-edge-interests of its own and other countries like the US and the UK particularly. This exploitative diplomatic relations is explicitly demonstrated by a mystery death of our late leader Dr. Garang whose death left people of South Sudan with many questions unanswered on who is behind his tragic death at the time he left Uganda on the 30th of July 2005. For this reason, the RoSS has to be very watchful with world's canny states like the US, the UK, Egypt, Russia and the rising China (that is bound by quest for resources)that have no other agenda but self-interest.
For this reason, the RoSS should employs selective strategies as it invites the world into its untapped natural world otherwise it will face consequences of exploitation from the advanced nations who pretend to be the best through their hypocrites alternative assistance that are offered informs of development and good governance supports.In this case I strongly argue that, the RoSS' national interest must prevail first more than the interest of individual leaders of the Ross or of any state that it enters into relation with. These relations must be based on mutual respect and on the national interest of South Sudan people from any country that the RoSS develops diplomatic relation with. Since states exist in an anarchical system, the RoSS must understands that it has and must be independent from any country including those states that are going to recognize its independence whose motives are so blurred at this time of South Sudanese history. These countries' interest must be assess critically and be scrutinize well to ensure that they do not exploits the young innocent nation(RoSS) from its natural resources and national security since some of these countries have been against the freedom of Southerners and along history proved itself.
However, having said that, it is acknowledged that for the RoSS to develop as a viable nation and a respected member of international community by all means, it has no choice but to builds diplomatic relations with states such as the US, the UK, France, Germany, China, Japan, and Russia because it’s one of the conditions it cannot avoid for its survival, but such relations must not be in the expense of its security. In order not to be exploits of its resources due to its inexperience, the Ross has to continues the agenda of protecting the interest of people of South Sudan regardless of what it takes and it must know that no other state will come and tell it what to do for its successes and failures, all will dependent on its leaders who should not put the country' interest as second from their personal interests which could determines which country the RoSS enters into relation with.With this concern in mind I strongly think that it is the responsibility of every member of South Sudan to make sure that our government is engaged in a very constructive, honest diplomatic relationships, and to understand the reality of the international system its entering into. A world of anarchy with no global police or other state to pick up the phone in the middle of night when the RoSS ring for emergency phone once it is in trouble with other states that cheated or threatening it survival. Individual leaders particularly in the foreign relations department must cortically understand the nature of system wherever they lead people of South Sudan to.
The author (Nyok Achouth Gor) is a graduate student of International Affairs and Diplomatic Studies at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, the views presented here are solely from the author, and he can be reached at:
nyokachouth@gmail.com or nyok4sudan@yahoo.com.au ( Lived in Canberra Australia).
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