The root cause of the Historic border injustice

The historic injustice committed and continues to be committed against the Anyuak peasants along the border of south Sudan and Ethiopia has the root cause. The root cause of these historic injustices through illegal land acquisition and violence perpetrated by the Nuer community have been mostly fuelled by remnants of “Anayna II” and the splinter armed group of the SPLA/ M called SSDF, factional militia backed by Khartoum which is mostly dominated by Murles’ militia brigades, and Ethiopian patriotic front led by former Gambella “Derg” fugitive, Thwath Pal. 

It is through their relentless efforts of the mentioned organizations that have sponsored terror against the Anyuak along the border, presently and the past years. These elements backed by the elite and institutions continue committing atrocities at numerous times and it’s time for the new Sudan government and federal Ethiopian government to join hands and disarm them. Indeed atrocities have been committed under the watch of successive regimes on the Ethiopian side but failed to address the historic injustices and consequently gave the culprits the right to continue to live with impunity [including those at the top government official positions].  It failed because it was the Anyuak that were disarmed leaving the Nuer freely. Mean while the Murle militia on the other side have been left free to continue raiding villages and cattle as well.
 
Remember Thowath pal currently is the head of the Ethiopia patriotic front. However, his mission has always been fighting in the periphery along Jor, Akobo, and Pinykew- Ochom targeting the Anyuak farmers. Thowath pal believes that illegal land acquistion through the barrel of a gun might gain him support from his tribesmen positioning him self for the eventuality. Despite the enormous support he acquires, he has never targeted the Ethiopian defense forces for the cause he supposedly stands. At various occasions Thowath Pal and his counterparts in the SSDF launched many attacks targeting Jor- Anyuak peasants for the last fifteen years with weapons acquired from a certain countries on behalf of the two organizations. Unlike the Openo/ Baro frontier, the Jor Gilo -Akobo frontier has also continued to bear the heavy brunt from the factional militias, brigades led by Murle, Ananya II elements, the SSDF and Ethiopia patriotic front respectively.

It is in this regard that in order to continue peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding across the border, the new south Sudan government needs to implement the disarmament exercise of these groups who will not only create instability for the long run but also will have the negative out look on the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA).

In order to avert the crisis of the historic injustices that have been committed against the Anuak farmers along the borders by these splinter groups whose leaders continue to thrive with impunity, we are urging the south Sudan government to join hands together with the federal government of Ethiopia to disarm illegal gun owners and resettle them back into their respective areas.

Peace now prevails in Southern Sudan. If we don’t live it we won’t enjoy it. It is not the concern of Anyuak community at the local level whether you choose to live for the rest of your live as refugee or not. Our concern is the ongoing killing and illegal land acquisition through the use of illegal guns that will not only jeopardize the long-term relations, but also may escalate into a massive struggle bringing more instability to the fragile borders. That is why it is essential to return home, peacefully, those who roam to avoid what is currently and repetitively done against the Anyuak peasants.
 
The current initiative by the federal Ethiopian government is much encouraging. The Anyuak community has been aggrieved by the government lack of intervention for the past 30 years that have caused mayhem and unnecessary displacement that could have been thwarted.

Often smokers take great care as to where they put the last cigarette butt. The reason being that the small spark might burn the entire forest if thrown away carelessly. Failure by the governments of the New Sudan and Ethiopia to address the historic injustices will encourage fertile breeding grounds for instability along the border. Let the governments rise to the task and face it.

Listen to the interview with Dr. Mamo on Anyuak land issues