Akobo Anywaa Coordination Council in Diaspora protest against establishment of a separate state of Greater Akobo for the Lou Nuer

Akobo Anywaa Coordination Council in Diaspora protest against establishment of a separate state of Greater Akobo for the Lou Nuer

We, the Akobo Anywaa Coordination Councilin Diaspora (Canada, the United States of America, and Australia) would like to take this opportunity to thanks His Excellency the President of Republic of South Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit. We are protesting against the recent decision the Lou Nuer made about establishment of a separate state of Greater Akobo for the Lou Nuer in the large region of Jonglei proposed by former Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang.

We had read the statement that presented by numerous different media opening that Lou Nuer, under former Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, had formed a new movement. And their new faction will negotiate with the government for the establishment of the separate state of Greater Akobo for the Lou Nuer in the large the region of Jonglei. We would like to inform the people of South Sudan particularly Lou Nuer that, Akobo land belongs to the Anywaa and it should not be claimed by former Brig. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang to be separated state for Lou Nuer in the large region of Jonglei.

The Nuer domination across the Anywaa land is apparent and damaging. The Nuer has been struggling to finish up the Anywaa people and wipe them out from the face of the earth.  It is the Lou Nuer who is the cause of Akobo Anywaa misery on March 13, 1983. The inferior of it all is to visualize that Akobo massacre was committed by the Lou Nuer settlers who were granted passage to drink water during the dry season in Akobo. Lou Nuer leaders ordered the Sudan armed forces and Lou Nuer militia to massacre the Anywaa in Akobo in broad daylight. It was an attempt to wipe up the Anywaa in Akobo. The Anywaa do not forget that the Nuer told them loud and clear many times that: “We took Anywaa land by the gun, the Anywaa must take it back by the gun”. This is a very strong declaration of war that was said to please the Arabs in parliament in Khartoum.

This new movement of Lou Nuer is another method of smearing Anywaa in Akobo. The Lou Nuer must know that taking Anywaa land is evil and wrong. No real human can be proud by doing evil things. Without settlement to the Anywaa land disputes, the invaders will have no peace. Akobo is an Anywaa sacred home. Waat is the Lou Nuer sacred home. Each party must be proud of their homeland. The Anywaa land is home to laws, orders and regulations. It is the Land of Kings and Chiefs. Lou Nuer must know that they are not belong to Akobo, they should should never claim Akobo. It was not a crime when chiefs of Akobo to allow Nuer for humanitarian reasons to use water during dry season that did not give you the right to own the land. Akobo belong to Anyuak people.

The CPA grants to all nationalities of South Sudan the right to exist and to develop their own culture within its border of 1956. The IDPS and Refugees of all South Sudan nationalities are returning to their original homeland to rebuild their lives. Anywaa of Akobo have nowhere to return to becuase Lou Nuer occupies their homesteads.

Once again, we would like to inform the people of South Sudan that we, Akobo Anywaa Coordination Council in Diasporawill remain firm as Akobo Anywaa under Jonglei State. If there is establishment of a separate state for the Lou Nuer in the large region of Jonglei State, Akobo has to be excluded. And we will continue supporting the peace process under IGAD, which is needed by all South Sudanese people.

Sincerely,

signed by:
Ongew Adwanga,

President of Akobo Anywaa Coordination Council in Diaspora

Source: The Citizen South Sudan