24/10/2022
Sub: âLOU NUER, THE UNSMEARED FIERCEST MISSILE OF DR. RIEK MACHAR TENY.â
24th, Oct, 2022
PERSONAL OPINION
By Khan Banguot Gok, Lou Nuerâs concerned member,
This abridged statement is exclusively represent my insomniac night, analyzing how unrewarding cooperation/relationship between Lou Nuer and Dr. Riek Machar Teny persevered so far.
My fellows Country men and women! In the first place, I accepted that the description is a bit substantial, as well the time consuming to go through it and understand the yawning enclosed fact about the cited subject.
I am once again acquainted for your respective-extraordinary engagements, how your limited time is treasurable for utilization, but, please, sacrifice your most cherished ephemeral minutes to go through this factual-based transitory narration, reflected my personal exploration over the stated topic.
Initially, I would like to take you through the instant introduction of âLou- Nuerâs geographical location, population and its other related important realities, before gamboled to the main fundamental concern of the whole note.
Lou Nuerâs Short-lived Introduction!!
To begin, the word, âLouâ is primarily embodied both the people and the territory, whereas, âLou Nuerâ is the compound word, mainly constituted the sided name, referred to the people.
In short, Lou Nuer is a name of the major clan found in eastern part of the Greater Upper Nileâs Jonglei State. Based on the land coverage, has significantly occupied the wide terrestrial land, counted among the few most surrounded areas which are encircled by the numerous localities. Lou Nuer territory is hemmed in as sketched below: Ethiopia to the East, Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to the South, Duk County to the West, Ayod to the North-West, Ulang to the North, and Nasir County to the North-East.
Notwithstanding that the unity of this self-controlled community has never been trembled, yet fulfilled the benchmarks/criterions of being scattered as applied to other parts of the country, has also led to the subjection of this regarded Community to Sub-division, determined by its uppermost population status.
Those Sub-geographical splits had essentially been characterized into three Counties, listed as follows: Nyirol, Uror and Akobo.
According to 2008 conducted census, Lou Nuer population was approximately estimated as 423,403 individuals, and subsequently increased to 539,763 in 2020â IPC Projection Count. Respectively, the above-mentioned population has equally been categorized into Counties, whereby, the Uror County has extremely epitomized, 178,519 in (2008 Census), and earlier to 182,012, (2020â IPC Projection Count).
In other hand, Akobo has also emerged after Uror, ascetically instituted an estimate number of 136,210 in (2008 Census) and 225, 439 in 2020 distinctly. Last but not least, Nyirol County came 3rd, represented 108,674 in (2008 Census) and 132,312 in (2020â IPC Projection Count).
In summary, the above recitation is not entirely detailed the information, vis-Ă -vis this society, rather, itâs just a concise overview, purposely projected to clue those who might have actually devoted their time to read this forthright communiquĂ© before walking them to the main content.Before you proceed, be attentive! We are going to the most important part of the article.
Start it here!
Topic, âLOU NUER, THE UNSMEARED FIERCEST MISSILE OF DR. RIEK MACHAR TENY.â
Well, to understand the context, and effectively logged the fixed concern of the whole portrayal, thus, energized me to primarily define the keys fundamental words, aligned in the core topic as follows:
UNSMEARED!
The word, âUNSMEAREDâ as stated in the sentence, is extracted from the Wiktionary, contrary stand as an antonym of Smeared, meaning, the absent of grease or any other oily substance, required for the smoothen of a certain thing to function well.
FIERCEST!
The word, âFIERCESTâ might be defined differently, according to oneâs own understanding, or where he/she sourced it. Regarding this matter, itâs generally referred to, anything which exceedingly or forcefully violence, resolute or strenuously destructive. That is the related definition to this subject.
MISSILE!
Finally, the word âMISSILEâ is defined as a self-propelled projectile whose trajectory can be adjusted after it is launched. In other description, itâs any object used as a weapon, either by being thrown or fired, and sometime aimed at the target.In comprehensive note, those three combined words generally explained how Dr. Riek Machar is regrettably remembered this community, only during his darkest days.
Before taking you through the several events where âLou Nuer communityâ participated in, sacrificed their beloved sons and daughters, simply to thrives Dr. Riek Machar where he is now in, and enjoy the precious fruit of their painful struggle, therefore, I would love to remind his optimistic supporters, to simply take heart, and bear with my expression, for I will never ever manage to take back my words to follow your wishful instruction; truth has in due course awaken me.
Go to story!
In August 1991, Dr. Riek Machar, along with other senior Movement officials, including Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin and Gordon Koang Chuol Kolang were hardly attempted to sideline the, âLate. Dr. John Garang De Mabiorâ from the revolutionary leadership, claimed him to have failed the guerilla/ insurgencyâs management.
Instead, they werenât succeeded in their move, resulted in the triggering of the movementâs split into: (Nasir and Torit factions), which later headed, separately by Late. Dr. John Garang De Mabior and Dr. Riek Machar Teny. As a result, Dr. Machar echoed to Lou Nuer and Gawaar White army, invited them to reinforce him on the pretext of what he called, âthe Nuer liberation from the Dinka dominant.â
However, the youth (White army) of the two communities never hesitated to response, swiftly organized a huge expedition which was successfully launched to Dinka areas, resulted in the death of many people, destroying properties and raided cattle which were later considered as part of the said liberation. Besides, the Lou Nuer and Gawaar fighters were contrary lost more lives as a consequence of the defensive/ fight-back from Dinka youth and government forces who tried to repulse the organize attack.
After the mission was successfully accomplished, they then came back with all the booties, leaving the innocent Dinkaâs civil population in helpless flood and famine which later forced them to seek refuge in the neighboring Nuer land.
This in particular considered as efficacious operation, managed to encounter the said ostracism.
In fact, that very war became the main factors/ starting ground of all the unrest situations in Jonglei, fixed a perpetual hatred that might not easily be addressed between the two lovely communities (Nuer and Dinka).
Controversially, as people who positively responded to his call, and act according to his directives, which in actual sense seem have been effective in response to the Dinkaâs supremacy, trying to marginalized the other Jongleiâ communities in all exercised roles as he said were then expecting him, âDr. Riek Macharâ to address them, âLou Nuer & Gawaar communitiesâ in order to appreciate their actions, and equally instructed them for the way forward, since the whole community had prejudicially assumed to have got the right leader who can fight for them in odds and decent situation.
The question is, was he precisely addressed them? Surely not! He instead projected other plans that can only interested him than the subsidiary community.
In the meantime, the two groups (Nasir & Torit factions) were periodically engaged in ethnical motivated war, abandoned the cause, as well the enemy which they all yearned to overthrow. And to prove that Machar wasnât inclined to fight for the communityâs deliverance as he claimed, was undoubtedly attested by his recent apology, he conveyed to Dinka Bor Community, when he stepped to Jonglei for 1991â incident.
He loved to wash himself from dirt, while certainly not trying to square back the two disputed communities who fight for his account.
Skip to the series events after the split!
By 1993, some confined officers escaped cell from Dr. John Garangâs camp, (Torit Faction), and joined the Nasir faction under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar. Those Commanders/Officers include but not limited to: Cde. Kerbinho Kuanyin Bol, Cde. Fustino Atem and Cde. William Nyuon Bany among other subordinates. Those new signed personnel brought some slight alteration, which in particular, changed of the partyâs name from âNasir Factionâ to SPLM/A United; similarly, the conventional fired of Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin as the Deputy Chairperson, succeeded with Kerbinho Kuanyin Bol which led to Dr. Lam Akolâs defection to form his own insurgency in Kosti.
As the time goes, Dr. Macharâs group learned the impossibility of getting the leadership from Late. Dr. John Garang with one united SPLM/A, rather, decided to hold a meeting that came up with the resolution of convened peace Conference between Lou Nuer and Gaajiok, (Jikany) which formally took place in Akobo in 1994.
The Conference was mean to mobilize people and also to narrate their objectives, associated to the communityâs benefit so as to continue gaining support, and popularity from the ground. One of the immediate objective was to liberate, South Sudan by introducing Self-determination, which was in point of fact, evocative and convenience than Dr. John Garangâs focal objective, fixed on the liberation of whole Sudan from bad regime.
The Symposium was also act as reminder to rechristened the Movement, which they meritoriously did, changing it from SPLM/A United to South Sudan Independent Movement, (SSIM/A), with Military wing, âSouth Sudan Defense Force (SSDF)â, which later joined the Khartoum regime in 1997, shortly after signed a treaty that brought him (Machar) to become a chairperson of Ten States Councils.
I brought this brief story in order to highlight some otiose reasons for Macharâs series defection, if they are relevant to what he make people died for.
Continue here!
In Khartoum, he formed the ten states government which came to live because of Lou Nuer and Gawaarâs exerted effort. The question is, was he certainly channeled any position to those mentioned communities, who centrally helped him to fight the Torit faction? Surely not! Itâs only after he abandoned the seat when Dr. Riek G*i Kok succeeded him for his own connection with the Sudan Government.
In 2000, he left (SSDF) and formed a new Militia, âthe Sudan Peopleâs Defense Force/Democratic Front (SPDF)â and in 2002 joined back the SPLM/A as a senior Commander after Signed the âMerged Peace Agreementâ (MPA) with Late. Dr. John Garang De Mabior. In 2005, immediately after the signed of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), he (Machar) become the New Sudanâs Vice President, the second person in the lately conformist government and can do whatsoever he could, being in development or any other thing related to the services provision.
He spent eight (8) years as a Vice President, from 2005 to 2013 before crisis; and in this very long period, did anything associated to development so far directed to Lou Nuer land? If yes! Tell us? If not, where were the daily announced governmentâs developmental projects go, bypassed the most populated three counties? Or which method did they use in services delivery? Come here! To be sincere, Lou Nuer community has never ever attained any Secondary School, unlike the other counties, and therefore, children have been partially studying, dropped from Primary (8) if any other alternative hasnât availed.
In other parts of the country, Payams and Bomas have, and all are established by the government.
In this scenario, I couldnât unwarily imposed any blame on the entire government, since I know how bias the services are delivered, and how this Community, âLou Nuerâ is extremely envied, victimized because of firmly upkeep/support to Dr. Riek Machar that couldnât even see it or wishes to make a single favor as part of their applause, if not through government himself can do to prove that the sacrifices rendered did not go in vain.
We have so long endured continual oppression, neglect and perpetual criticism, reached to the extent that we are nicknamed as âSTRONG UNCONSCIOUS SUPPORTERSâ of an ingrate who always feel it difficult to recognizes their effort, even in oral expression.
Many people may get surprised and ask, âis this community never been given any ministerial position since the independent?
If they were, then why donât they blame their own sons & daughters for not considered their homeâs development?â
Well, this is an obvious question known to be asked, and if not properly answer, therefore, Machar might be concluded as scapegoat, blame for othersâ misfortune, whereby, the whole exposure shall turned to be mere spurious and hold no water.
In fact, I canât deny that we occasionally have some political appointees, coming through their own struggle. Number of them had held some important posts even in the national government, but, why do I left them flawless if I am really impartial/sincere in my words while they are the very people who can hardly try their best to develop this home or else blamed their failures?
Fine, in Nuer, there is a familiar phrase, said, âProphet is always prophesizes, if and only if he is extensively praised/worshipped, and given an attention.â I believe, this phrase may also be there in Dinka and other communities.
In the first place, I would like to reveal the fact that Lou Nuer leaders who have emerged during the Dr. Riek Macharâs period arenât lucky enough to exercise their leadership in support of their community. Why do I said this?
I remember, by late 1990s and earlier 2000s, when Dr. Riek G*i worked as the chairman of ten States, tried his best to at least do something to Lou Nuer community, being a school, hospital or any other developmental activities that might help, eased the communityâs burden.
Instead, the rejection he met was surprisingly enormous, in which, all his attempt to do something was futile, and never welcomed in the entire Lou land, considered him as an Arab, despite the fact that the services he want to deliver were not for Arab.So far, he alternatively directed those services to Fangak and Malakal, and now, the two schools are still existing there. It rehearse happened to him in 2014-15 as a Minister of Health for the hospital he supposed to take to Lou Nuer land, but failed and took it to Warrap due to the same rebuff. The equally to Health Science Institute which he intently taken to Akobo, only through otherâs coordination as a humanitarian.
Those services, plus others that might come forth are up to now miss, and wonât be recovered. This situation also happened to other Lou Nuer leaders, being instructed to be listened, unless if they come through Dr. Riek Macharâs coordination.
All these mess came as the result of the false influence, imposed on community about him (Machar) that he is prophet/Godâs chosen man, inflicted in them by some false elements/ influencers, which in real sense spurious, and unfound story.
Recent time!
- 2013 Crisis.
When fighting broke out on the night of 15th, December, 20213 in Juba capital, Machar preferred to go to Jonglei where he knows, Lou Nuer and Gawar white army will promptly reinforce him and fight for his rescue.
He eschewed going to Bentiu because he knows that they could not bothered to back him up, for they always not loyal to him in the war time. Besides, some youth from his very community might take arms to respond, and fight against the government but, he also intended to keep them away from the deadly governmentâs pursued that was apparently perished the strong young men of Lou Nuer and Gawar fighters.
In fact, I was one of those fighters who fought in several frontlines, trying to overturn the launched force of SPLA and UPDF in Jonglei, making me acquainted and carry the first hand information about the death tolls.
Series confrontation has indeed lost the number of my dearest brothers, though we bitterly repulsed the several attacks from the well-equipped government forces that has all it could to destroy the rival.We defense and offense until the Addis Ababa Peace Agreement was signed in August 2015, which later brought him (Machar) to Juba in April 2016.It was a power sharing Peace Agreement that gave the SPLM-IO (10) ten Ministerial Portfolios, which he appointed and gave the ministry of Humanitarians affairs to Lou Nuer among other prominent positions which included the Ministry of Petroleum, and that of Interior.
Notwithstanding the great lost we have gone through during the war, we never react against Dr. Macharâs positions allocation. We continue supporting him until another clashes in July 2016 which ended the 2015 Peace Agreement.
Despite the ferocious of the first battles, this second phase become the most deadly fighting to Lou Nuer in some identified frontlines like: Pajut, Yuai/Juet, Muotot, Waat, Walgak and Padoi. We lost the copious of strong men, particularly in Waat and Pajut confrontation than any other frontline, but never ever left the cause to withdraw our support from Dr. Riek Machar.
We maintained the area as a strong-hold for SPLM/A-IO till the Revitalized Peace Agreement which we are now implementing was signed.
This time, Machar increased the humiliation by giving the very less weighed position, âThe Ministry of Water and Irrigationâ to Lou Nuer compared to their much contribution which deserve much compensable in the high rated position allocated to SPLM-IO like Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Health and other Ministries, not because of what to get from the ministry but to value oneâs contribution. Moreover, he accompanied the appointment with some teasing words that âLou Nuerâ has no water, and therefore, deserve this position for more borehole to be drilled. Hearing this was a surprise and direct insult to Lou Nuer community that has been existing for centuries without existing of Ministry of Water Resource and irrigation. Analyzing this has informed the community about the closest enemy, non-other than Dr. Riek Machar.
It further reminded the entire Lou Nuer community about the eminent Personalities, killed about the SPLM/A-IO; People like: Molani D**g Samuel Luak who was caught in Kenya and killed in cold-blood because of his support to the movement, Gen. Koang Rambang Chuol (my own Nephew) who refused to go for treatment, just to support the SPLM/A-IO and defense the area till the death robbed him, Col. John Gile Bum who bravely died at Waat trenches in a very hot confrontation that has annihilated hundreds young men from Lou Nuer, plus many other unmentioned deceased who promptly sacrificed their importance lives simply to enjoy the ultimate end of the struggle.
It equally remind us about the recent embarrassment, applied against Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual who was during the war become the main hope for SPLA-IO because of his communityâs full support but just humiliated by some SPLA-IOâs junior commanders from Macharâs community, Bentiu, backed- up by himself.
Last but not least, it also make us recalled the perilous humiliation, given to Former Bieh State Governor, Gen. Hon. Koang Gatkuoth Kerjiok in Congo, by slapped him in front of his subordinates, and denied access to aircraft by very junior officer only because of being a close brother to Dr. Riek Machar.
All the above stated humiliation and ignorance has clearly shown how Lou Nuer are just the warfare weapons for Dr. Riek Machar and couldnât ever consider forever.
At this juncture, I would superficially like to ensure Dr. Riek Machar and his likes that Lou Nuer has consciously raised some mindful youth who will not tolerate any further exploitation from any fantasizing friend or enemy to play jest at their watch, and therefore, whatever one wanted to apply against this community must be encountered, either by sword or crook. We will no longer entertain/ allow any person to play with this community and let him go without getting the consequences of his debauched deed.
All in all, my utmost gratitude goes to Lou Nuerâs bravest son, Hon. Denay Jock Chagor, the Governor of Jonglei State for being a liberal and fight for the impartiality of all community members in State level.
In my conclusion, I would like to thanks all the people who took their precious time to come through my exclusive analysis, and also to Lou Nuer sons and daughters who stand out before this community and said, âenough is enough for Lou community to be used; starting from Lou Nuer White Army that can defense it for day and night from any outside invaders to intellectuals who never sneaked if anything about the Lou Community get him.
Thank you!!!
Note! This is also apply to any person who anyway trying to take the advantage of this community for his own interest.
The end!!Regarded, Mr. Khan Banguot Gok, Lou Nuerâs concerned member.For any inquires, reach me through: [email protected]/ Facebook, Khan Banguot Gok.