Sudan’s Anyuak wants GoSS to evacuate Nuer Lou from their land

Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit,
Vice President of Sudan Republic
President of Government of South Sudan,
Khartoum and Juba, Sudan

Sub: The Anyuakland [Akobo] and Insecurity.

Mr. President,

We want to present the Anyuak case before you once again. We appreciate the acceptance and recognition that a problem does exist and that the Anyuak have the right to seek justice. We are also thankful for keeping our case on the agenda. The SPLM Secretariat, the South Sudan Land Commission and the Jonglei State have it on their tables also.

Since the action process has been slow the Anyuak have not settled because our homes are yet occupied by the Lou Nuer. The Lou Nuer have not vacated. The situation has not changed while census is around the corner. Eventually the elections will come. There seems to be no way for the Anyuak to participate in those important national issues since registration will be difficult. This allows the Nuer to be registered where they do not deserve to be. All the delay is time saved for them.

This time around the Murle, running away from disarmament in Pibor, are scouring the Anyuak territory including areas in Ethiopia. They are not hiding quietly but marauding. This is another threat to the Anyuak which gives the Nuer added advantage. The Lou Nuer government in Akobo does not care and is not concerned as long as the Nuer settlements are not attacked. The Murle linger around Alali, Burtuor, Aparawanga, Ojoki and Abuk villages terrorizing the people. A month earlier a child was abducted. The Nuer government in Akobo did not care to know leave alone reporting it. What the Nuer have done overtime is to downplay anything that does not concern the Nuer, much less the Anyuak existence.

We need also to bring to your attention the case of Wanding Payam [ proper name: Wanga Ading]. The Lou Nuer have given this Payam to the Jikany Nuer of Nasir to avoid more bloodshed among themselves. This is the Anyuak land being abused by the Nuer sections to appease each other after long fights over this Payam when the Anyuak were evicted from Akobo in 1982/3 by the Lou, supported by the Sudan government. The agreement between the Nuer sections to hand over Anyuak land to the other was made public by Sudan Radio Service on January 29/2008. This is illegal. No community has the power to appropriate land to anybody. Only a Government has the power to take land for development with applicable regulations and compensations.

During your visit to Akobo last August the Anyuak came out to meet you and presented their grievances. You saw and felt the pain of the Anyuak people. In front of them you gave instructions to the then Jonglei Governor to rapidly take action. That gave hope that the solution was near. But it dragged in the Jonglei system.

Now the new Governor of Jonglei, Mr. Kuol Manyang Juuk, is confronted with the Murle disarmament to stop the spillage of more blood around Bor and other adjoining places. The GoSS took action in Equatoria several times after much blood has been spilled between and among various groups. It appears the GoSS will stand up after loss of life. Should the Anyuak cause blood for their voice to be heard louder? Is it appropriate for the GoSS to see blood for a problem to be taken seriously?

We, the Anyuak, are convinced and believe that the GoSS has much room and power for peaceful solution to problems before chaos. That is why we are patient because it is not right to lose life at time of peace under our own government [GoSS] and our own leadership we see in your person.

Accordingly we are asking the Government, especially your office, to take the Anyuak matter seriously for the concerned bodies to work on this matter quickly. Time is running out. We want to be counted and vote. We are not asking for more land. We want back what is ours through law and order. We will continue knocking your door till justice is served.

God bless you.
God bless the GoSS
God bless the SPLM.

Signed
Akobo Anyuak Leadership Council, Diaspora.

Contact persons in USA:
J. Ojoch, Chairperson:
Lero Odola, member:

C.C.

Mr. Pagan Amum,
Minister of Cabinet Affairs,
Kharoum and Juba, Sudan

Mr. Wani Igga,
Speaker of the House, GoSS
Juba, Sudan.
 
Mr. Robert Lado Lwoki,
Commissioner
South Sudan Land Commission.
Juba, Sudan.

Mr. Kuol Manyang Juuk,
Jonglei State Governor,
Bor, Sudan.