Jonglei State Should be Divided into Two States to Create More Opportunities

By the way, I would like to respond to the argument that says peace comes only from unity, instead of creating more opportunities. In fact, if unity is the only alternative to bring peace, why on this planet earth South Sudan seceded from the north Sudan? And also another example, Great Bor County used to be one? But these days, they are 3 counties. That theoretically, doesn’t justify the opposition toward recognition of the newly proposed state, the Eastern Jonglei State. Folks, to be honest, Jonglei is a state that inhabited by 6 tribes. Despite that, we seem to be paying attention only to the views of few tribes that control the resources of the state. So let us be rational and frank, if we for the real peace or promoting these few tribes’ interest with the unity as the propaganda tool to mislead the marginalized ones.

As I know so far, the unity of Jonglei state could have come to an untimely end long time already, if not because of Kuol Manyang Juuk’s governorship. Especially, in 2007 when ethnic cleansing had culminated to its very worst level ever. Giving the fact that, it will come on its own very time. I am not sure when exactly. The split-up of Jonglei state is very eminent, of course. We did try unity already for the last 7 years of interim-period. But it didn’t work the way we expected. Didn’t we? If so, let try 2 states’ solution. If it going to fail as the unity did already, by that moment, we can negotiate for any possible re-merge, if need be.

Anyway, I would like to thank the governor himself, his Excellency Kuol Manyang Juuk for the progress he has brought to Jonglei state. As much as I am personally concerned, governor Kuol deserves to be praised enthusiastically for nearly eliminating tribalism and nepotism that were haunting the state’s leadership system_even though absolutely cattle raiding, child abduction, and illegal killing remained a deadly nightmare. As a result of tribalism and nepotism that had been exercised during the previous governorship, local citizens had involved in mistrusting one and another which led to widespread ethnic cleansing across the state, claiming thousands or hundreds of lives, if I am not exaggerating it considerably. As a matter of fact, the death rate of ethnic cleansing in Jonglei state was far way worse compare it to the ones in Darfur which labeled by the international communities as the worst ever human catastrophe in the 21st century.

Prior to Kuol governorship, Dinka Bor folks were getting the lion’s share of the Jonglei state positions. For instance, there was no Anyuak as minister. By now as I speak, there are 2 Anyuaks as state ministers. That is something never happened before in the history of our state politic_as long as any two-legged living soul realizes. That sometimes I ask myself, how come the Anyuak community doesn’t organize a very big ceremony to install Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk as an Anyuak king for the recognition he has awarded to give the entire Anyuak tribe the courage it deserves? As far as

I am personally aware, governor Kuol is the man with a considerable influence, both committed and capable. He is not biased toward or against any tribe in Jonglei state. However, he rewards and punishes each and every one accordingly, regardless of his/her tribal background. As a matter of course, Kuol Manyang tries every mean within his reach to secure stability in the state. Nonetheless, insecurity continues to tear the communities apart. As most of us aware, the price of security does require a combination of both approaches such as economic, technical, military, and political as well, in which each and every community is represented at all levels. The genuine unity doesn’t come only through military power, of course. And besides that, it needs willingness from both sides. In spite of child abductions and cattle rustlings remained destructive challenges, nepotism and corruption have reduced to a certain extent significantly, anyway.

As I mentioned above regarding the tribalism that had been practiced by the previous governorship led Philips Thon Leek, the governor by then. Most of the positions were given to some Dinka folks, simply for being a member of big family that own a lot of cattle, somehow. The previous governorship believed that being from family with more cattle was expected to be capable of governing the citizens, I suppose that was the case so. The truth of the fact is this, knowing to take care of the animals is not the same as much as leading the community of the citizens. They are different from each other as well as different between day and night. I guess the notion behind that was families with more cattle were expected to afford donating some bull cows to be slaughtered, in case of any state organized celebration ceremony, one way or other.

As one of the commentators whom I don’t remember his/her name, and exactly when he had put it. He or she had put it in his comment somewhere in 2011 on the Sudan Tribune website about the corruption in Juba as a lootocracy system. I guess the one that was in Jonglei state, instead of democracy, it should be called as a cattlocracy system. Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, is it Okay to call it that way? Yes Of course, why not? That is the best way I could call it. If it doesn’t please anyone, let that person call it with whatever name he/she feels comfortable with. Period and no apology, cause I am sickening tire and fed up with this game of domination over other, simply for heaven’s sake of the so-called majorities against minorities.

As a matter of fact, I was ones of the die-hard supporters of splitting up of Jonglei into 2 states, and I am very proud of it. For now, I changed my mind simply to suspend the process of peaceful break-up, temporarily. Despite the fact that, I was a strong supporter of the newly proposed state, the Eastern Jonglei State that should co-exist alongside the old Jonglei. I mean just not at the moment, perhaps some years to come in the very near future_as long as Kuol still in power with his inclusive leadership. We may resume it as soon as Kuol leaves the office and replaces by any radical bigot who may be carrying his/her own secret agenda to promote over the marginalized tribes in the eastern part of the state.

I know rumors used to signal the possible split-up of Jonglei. If rumors confirms itself, it would be the most historic moment that, the 4 law abiding –citizens been envying for in the last 7 years of interim-period (I mean 4 tribes in eastern Jonglei state which includes, Anyuak, Murle, Kachipo, and Jiye)

Moreover, let us hope so Kuol remains as a governor in order to continue with one Jonglei state. Otherwise, the split-up would be the only alternative on the table to create more opportunities for every tribe in the state.

This article is written by Madho Toung Madho from Pochalla County. He can be reached at www.madho1982@hotmail.com