By Deng M. Koch*

Dec. 5, 2006 - The recent fighting which took place in the Southern Sudanese Town of Malakal, the Capital of Upper Nile State between the forces of the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) and the notorious, Renegade Southern militias led by Gabriel Gatwech alias Tanginya, supported by their long time paymasters, the Sudanese Armed Forces, was a very unfortunate incident which led to enormous loss of innocent lives, particularly among the innocent civilians who were caught up in the cross-fire.

Various estimate range from hundreds of casualties and hundreds more wounded. However, the latest United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) estimate put the number of deaths to a hundred and fifty (150) people including the civilians and combatants. Whatever the numbers are, a loss of any single Sudanese life is a major set back, particularly in this point in time, when our beleaguered masses are supposed to salvage what was left by the more than two decades of war; thus this excessive lost of lives is a terrible punch on the faces of South Sudanese who have longed for peace.

I therefore hereby send my heartfelt condolences to the affected families and all who have lost their dear loved ones in the unfortunately incident. The lost of these innocent lives is not only a lost to the families concerned, but a lost to all the peace loving Sudanese and particularly the long oppressed masses of Southern Sudan and their young government of South Sudan (GOSS).

While one would not bother to dig out the causes of the latest incident of fighting (because the reports are clear), it is worthy emphasizing the point that the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) made it abundantly clear that the numerous militia groups in Southern Sudan, largely native Southern Sudanese who were used by the Government of Sudan to hinder the struggle of the people of Southern Sudan and marginalized regions, must decide to join either side of the key players in the Sudan war theatre, the SPLA or the SAF.

This was to be done within the first two years beginning from the signing date (only 35 days are left). Some of the former Militia forces made the right choice and joined their people and government – Southerners and GOSS for that matter and now they are bona fide members of the Southern Political and military establishment.

But alas, some were adamant and are not only still willing to oppose the Southern visions, but very much actively conspiring to commit further atrocities among their people, the Southern Sudanese who have just emerged from decades of war.

The Mayram incident in which the so-called South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF) militia waylaid the SPLA forces and killed some of its members and in which the SSDF’s notorious General Hassan Deng Malou was reportedly terminated plus the Malakal incident which is the latest and more serious of the series of provocative attacks since the signing of the CPA, all by the same SSDF which is a grouping of the remnant, traitor forces who preferred the vision and policies of the North over the South, at least form part of the basis of my accusation.

The more appalling scenario of all however, is not the fact that these forces of darkness are supported by the CPA peace partner and primary enemy of the South, the National Islamic Front of Sudan through its machinations, but the awkward position taken by some Southern Sudanese in the Diaspora in the form of Union of Nuer Community in North America (UNCONA), the South Sudan United Democratic Forum/Alliance (SSUDA/F) and even oddly, the so called Equatorian Professionals in Europe (EPE).

It is worth noting that these Organizations have one aim in common, the downfall of the Dinka (Jieng/Jang) community and by extension the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM/A), their writings and what they call for is testimony to this. This common objective it seems, has blindfolded either the entire membership of the said organizations or their self-appointed leaders or spokesmen, to an extent of not seeing the lugging danger that is threatening the Southern Sudanese including their own constituents, if they command the respect and support of any at all.

While people of sound minds, from all backgrounds, Sudanese and foreigners alike have condemned the Malakal incident and deplored the scale of human lost there, majority of whom may be Southern Sudanese, Dr. Odiong of EPE, Peter Chuol of SSUDA and Kam of UNCONA went amok in an apparent political wild goose chasing, trying to justify the cause of the deadly Malakal fighting and at the same time hope to score some political goals by portraying the nationalistic SPLM party and the vigilant SPLA army, glimmer of hope and protector of Southern and marginalized regions interests, as war mongers, the gang of three have failed miserably!!

Knowingly or unknowingly, the desperate men are certainly dancing over the graves and unburied corpses of the victims of the fight that was clearly a pre-motivated act of aggression on the side of SSDF. More than ever before, the aforementioned organizations through their spokespersons have clearly come out in favor of chaos, mass suffering and displacement of our innocent population.

The vultures-of-war (or is it the dogs-of-war), have demonstrated it unequivocally, that they intend to incite further factional fighting amongst the long suffering people of Southern Sudan, and through their latest comments in which they refused to condemn the SSDF militias, the architects of Malakal fighting, and in which instead they embarked on a demonization campaign against the GOSS and SPLM, they have made it crystal clear that without remorse or slightest sense of shame or humanity, they will continue to dance/rejoice while seeing Southern Sudanese tearing themselves to pieces.

The Political Scavengers will not succeed in realizing their desires, nor would they scoop anything substantial out of the current misery. It is high time the peace loving and unity minded Southern Sudanese unite in their efforts to confront any evil forces of incitement and divisions there are among them.

The hard won achievements that were gained as a result of the sacrifices made by our fallen martyrs and heroes, will not be allowed to be torpedoed by opportunists who were sitting on the fence watching the helpless Southern populations and their cherished freedom fighters struggled to subdue the beast that was fully out in force trying to conquer the land of our ancestors. The very beast is not dead yet but seriously wounded by our vigilant forces but alas, alas, alas! The heartless traitors want to breathe some new life into the venomous beast! Who will accept this broad day light treasury?

Last but by no means the least, I hereby congratulate our beloved forces, particularly the SPLA Upper Nile Command, the field and commanding officers, NCOs and Men who engaged head on the forces of treachery and their sponsors, for having sent a very clear message to the under-dogs of war, that the SPLA were not defeated when they followed their veteran leaders into peace deal and subsequently into the towns, but were simply opting for a civilized alternative to a costly war, the negotiated settlement.

Bravo, bravo, bravo my colleagues! Although you and your people (civilians) might have paid the ultimate price, you have made every dignity-minded Southern Sudanese too proud a person who can continue to walk with his/her shoulders elevated and head high. There wasn’t any other option made available to you other than militarily confronting the devil and its hatchlings.

Your patriotic action had not only delighted the patriotic masses of Southern Sudan, but would certainly comfort the souls of our fallen martyrs, especially your veteran former Commander in Chief, the late Dr. John Garang, whose determination and consistency inspired you who stood firm in the line of fire where you endured relentless enemy firepower until you got what you wanted. Stay alert all the time, never waver in your convictions, no matter how much the temptations of life can sometimes come your way!

Long Live the SPLM/SPLA, long live the visions and aspirations of the people of Southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile and all the Marginalized regions of Sudan, long live the determination and morale of our frontline forces, long live the long oppressed masses of Sudan. Aluta Continua, the struggle continue.

The Author is a Southern Sudanese Living in Australia.