The SPLM USA leadership meeting with Congress, and Ambassador Donald Booth; US special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan

The SPLM USA leadership under the chairmanship of Cde Ladu Jada Gubek on Friday, April 15^th held separate meetings with the United States Congress and Ambassador Donald Booth, the U.S Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan. The meetings discussed the road to peace and democracy in South Sudan with special emphasis on reconciliation, forgiveness, nationalism and unity of the people of South Sudan. The SPLM USA leadership proposed All South Sudanese Political Parties and Civil Society conference to be convened in Juba soon after the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity. The meetings also discussed U.S humanitarian assistance for South Sudan, basic services such as education, health and food security, the role of women and youth in nation building and diaspora skills transfer. The SPLM USA expressed its commitment to building democratic institutions in South Sudan by reforming the SPLM and encouraging multiparty system through unity in diversity.

See below conference resolutions:

April 15, 2016
In November 6 – 8, 2015, in city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the SPLM—USA Secretariat managed to convene a successful Peace Conference is dedicated with the theme of “Peace, Reconciliation, and Forgiveness.” This Peace Conference was one of its kinds. Find enclosed the resolutions we adopted at the conference. We, of course, are mindful that there can be no lasting peace without relationships built on trust and respect; no way forward unless people at every level and segment of a society have the means and willingness to enter into authentic dialogue; and there can be no change, no new future without reconciliation and healing.
Our concepts were and still are as follows:
 Strengthen the peace process through means of dialogue and truth telling about our current status quo.
 Believing that through truth telling, forgiveness and healing can be made possible, and an authentic alternative for the future can be created.
 Pursuing a vision of a free and demilitarized country, in which the natural resources are utilized to support sustainable development, quality of life, as well as harmonious coexistence of all the countrymen and women.
 Embarking on political reforms that would permit free, transparent and democratic processes to prevail.
 Curing the nightmares of the political tribalism and overcome the excessive political divisions, which are mostly based on tribal, ethnic, and regional conflicts.
 Connecting people to their common concerns and to each other in relationships of trust and respect.
 Promote working together in a variety of settings, embracing the interfaith communities, varied economical activities, and cultural difference.
 Learning to use language in a way that dramatically increases respect and trust that creates new access to making things happen.
 Dealing with the legacy of the past in a way that honors that past, yet frees the future.
 Truthfully and honestly discuss ways and means of eradicating marginalization.
 Engaging intermediaries that include IGAD, AU, TROIKA, and USA?
We truly believe that the fundamental work to be done in our time is to uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and exchange love for hate, making the present comfortable and the future promising. Certainly without reconciliation and forgiveness, the future will be hopeless.

Adopted Resolutions of the South Sudan Conflict Resolution: The Road to Peace and Democracy
November 6 – 8, 2015
University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
301 19th Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
The Way Forward
Based on the challenges we face today in our young war-torn nation’s fractured history, we, the conferees propose and agree to the following resolutions:
1. Second All South Sudanese Political Parties and Civil Society Conference on Dialogue for Peace: Not many people remember and invoke the most important gathering of the All South Sudanese Political Parties Conference that the President Salva Kiir Mayardit convened in May 2010. That Conference paved the way to a successful Referendum that led to South Sudan’s Independence. The President is not fairly given enough credit for this milestone historic gathering. South Sudan needs a second All South Sudanese Political Parties and Civil Society Conference on Dialogue for Peace, focusing on the Implementation of the Peace Agreement involving all South Sudanese Stakeholders as soon as the proposed National Government of Unity is formed.
2. Dividends of Peace: Any society emerging from conflict expects to resume normal life through receiving humanitarian assistance, basic social services and reliable livelihood as dividends of peace. To ensure that the victims of the conflict see and enjoy such dividends of peace, we must, hand in hand with the government, support and transform our talented civil society organizations into agents of change and development. To ensure peace-building, we must equip and support our civil society and good will international friends to build their powerful advocacy work for peace-building around concrete livelihood and service delivery projects that have a direct meaning, benefit and appeal for the war-affected populations.
3. Truth and  Reconciliation Commission: In every war-torn society emerging from war such as South Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Kenya, the establishment and effective management of Truth and Reconciliation Commissions or similar bodies have allowed societies to stare guilt and truth in the face, ask for forgiveness and forgive past wrongs and injustices. In the process it has been possible for such communities to rise from the ashes, rebuild trust and confidence and create more re-integrated just and unified societies. South Sudan stands to learn and gain from the sterling courage and examples of these sisterly African countries. What South Sudan needs now is a unique model of accepting responsibility for past wrongs and injustices, asking for forgiveness, forgiving one another and turning a new page on the past. Such a truth and reconciliation model should be anchored in the values and traditions of the people of South Sudan Even though horrifying stories of atrocities perpetrated by Southerners against Southerners is the hallmark of this war, we are equally aware the armed conflict has demonstrated to us all, the best and the worst in us. During this conflict there are moving stories of South Sudanese individuals and communities going out of their ways to shelter and protect victims from other ethnic groups. We are South Sudanese first and must look and treat each other equally.
4.  Women Power: At a gathering of a huge crowd of men, the MC asked all men who are controlled by their wives to move to the right and those who are not controlled by their wives to the left. All moved to the right except one man who moved to the left. When asked in wonderment how he alone was not controlled by his wife, the man said, “My wife told me that wherever I go, I should always move to the left!.” In 2009 as we were approaching the Referendum and there were fears that we may not be allowed to exercise our inalienable right to Self-Determination, our women challenged our men by stating, “If you men cannot get independence for us, move aside. We will do it for you!.” Women are the majority and bear the brunt of conflict, therefore, must be empowered. The SPLM already enshrined in its constitution and South Sudan Transitional Constitution quotas of 35 percent allocation of positions in government for women.
5. Youth Power: Our youth constitute our most valuable asset. However, in South Sudan as is in many parts of the world, youth unemployment and the failure to give them gainful engagement is a ticking powder keg. It is more so in South Sudan where our country is awash with arms and armed militias are rampant and a strong pull on youth. The White Army, the Arrow Boys and several other armed youth groups constitute a major danger and phenomenon we have to deal with. Any effort to reach peace without fully engaging youth in the process and giving them the opportunity to work towards a promising future and hope may not go far. On the other hand our youth have to summon the courage and determination to face the challenges of exercising their responsibilities, guided by their own government and dynamic social leadership to abandon guns and devote their time to education and learning and acquiring skills that will open doors to gainful engagement and employment and participation in all aspects of life including peace-making.
6.  Champion for Peace: Globally many noble social causes have succeeded because they have been driven by self-less, indomitable, personalities of high moral character who command statesmanship and wide respect among the citizens of a country or region. In Africa we cannot speak of peace and reconciliation without mentioning such statesmen and champions of peace like Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere. South Sudan cannot afford to wait for a full century for a miracle to happen. More than ever before, South Sudan needs a Champion for Peace to rally the country and its people for reconciliation and peace. The Government and the Civil Society can jointly identify that personality who can be appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador and Champion for Peace to spear-head the cause and search for reconciliation, peace and stability for South Sudan.
7. SPLM and South Sudan: In the last five decades, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and many movements before it have been so closely associated with the struggle and sacrifices of the people of South Sudan for Self-Determination and independence that all South Sudanese including even non-card carrying individuals are automatically assumed to be members of SPLM. The major political parties and entities find it necessary and convenient preface their names by SPLM brand (SPLM-Mainstream, SPLM-IO,SPLM-FD and SPLM-DC). It appears that not to do so, would amount to denying oneself sharing in the achievements and glory of SPLM and thereby risking perishing. This phenomenon has its positive as well as its negative side. We have on the ground a potentially broad umbrella political organization that can serve as a large tent capable of embracing all diverse South Sudanese political shades of opinion, promote pluralism and be the melting pot for transforming the country’s 64 tribes into a viable nation. On the other hand some of the SPLM tag carrying entities may not represent substantive grass-roots constituencies that they may end up serving themselves rather than the public to the detriment of better mutual understanding, dialogue and peace-making. SPLM has the opportunity but also the challenge to re-invent and re-organize itself into a broad-based grass-roots organization that appeals to the broadest possible spectrum of the South Sudanese society, embraces all South Sudanese of all political shades of opinion and provides that free space for dialogue, understanding, tolerance, reconciliation and peace-making. SPLM has the opportunity of a lifetime to lead the people of South Sudan to peace stability, development and prosperity.
8.  Mobilizing South Sudanese Diaspora for Peace and Development: The South Sudanese Diaspora has a special role to play in rebuilding and restoring the strained relationship between USA and South Sudan. It is not the work of the South Sudan’s Ambassador to USA but that of the Diaspora who can contribute to their motherland what their other counterparts are doing for their respective mother countries. The South Sudanese Diaspora has a very special role to play in the South Sudan Peace Dialogue and Process. The Government too, has a very important role to play to mobilize and utilize the talent and skills of the South Sudanese Diaspora for peace, development, stability and prosperity of the country.
9. The Transitional Period: South Sudan came to nationhood at an unexpected time. It is therefore, not certain if the national elections would be accepted after the transitional period. When it did with SPLM winning by a landslide, the results must be acknowledged and internationally recognized.
10. Unity in Diversity: As the world’s second youngest independent country of the 21st Century (after East Timor) and a long war of liberation, South Sudan is expected to mold and build a cohesive and unified nation out of its 64 or more tribes. It can only succeed to achieve this noble goal through cultivating the spirit and culture of true nationalism and unity through two strategies--education and defeating marginalization.

Dreadful Storm

                                    Dreadful Storm
By:Justin Maker




 Thunderstorm discharges bright streak of shame and the fat and strong sit in a solid hotel.The cloud bangs terrible sounds scarring the venerable, the weak, the hungry and the sick.Crackling popping sounds and the boom strike victimless orphans with no where to hide.

 Wicked wind knocking down everything on its path mercilessly dwindling huts and trees to mud. 

Wild winds, raging roars, thunderous storms, and heavy rains from above  create violent mixtures passing through a silent village with nothing strong to withstand the storm.

 Innocent orphans stand in water pools at UNMISS camps and flagrant cast laughter mixed in with ferocious thunderstorm.

Tearful flogged soaking wet said the independence  was never this.

The spirit of ancestors help your weeping children only thee we come. 

Bankruptcy is always the second chance to reform

By:Justin Maker


In business world the best companies merge  out of bankruptcies very strong and successful only if their leaders value morals over profits. Morals sense create sustainable values to businesses and communities in other words values over times equals to sustainable growth while talent "education" over quick profit equals to bankruptcy. It's true that most of successful businesses are established by average people with strong believe in values.Take few examples of the most wealthiest companies in America; Walmart, Apple, Facebook, Koch brothers and etc they are all founded by average people with common goals of delivering value products to large society and in return they are rewarded for the value they have created and offered to society. 
Translation our country South Sudan after two years of senseless war is like a company getting off bankruptcy which if managed right by hiring people with high morals values of justice, equality, liberty, oneness and etc can transform South Sudan to a first class country in east Africa.The government must Chang course to benefit from the young energetic diasporain with high moral values and work ethic not the opportunistic rebellious self center elements who are seeking rewards for the dirty war and suffering they have inflicted on our people and country. The tradition of rewarding; over times equals corruption and endless suffering to our people and country. The silence loyalists and nationalist must be recognized and given fair access to deliver much needed service to our society.There is so much value work that could be offered with no money or little that may translate into improved service delivery.One area which is lack the most is the data. In this high tech age numbers means serious business and data collection can benefit our country significantly. Data in terms of population, education, commerce and taxation,  and the number of productive work force.
To our leaders now is the time to reform and transform South Sudan.

Millennium generation; South Sudan glimpse hope

 Millennium generation; South Sudan glimpse of hope
By:Justin Maker

I had the privilege to attend an event in Washington DC organized by Lual Deng and luol Deng foundation where group of South Sudanese youth born between the 1980s and 2000s " millennium generation" met to share their experiences. These youth came across all walks of life advocates, students, and activists bond by common good, in other words each one of them is doing something good for his local community. 
These youth came from 64 tribes of South Sudan and they did not care about which tribe they belong to but as South Sudanese with common interest searching for peace and unity. 
Superstar Luol Deng the lead of the program presented a mixed baggage of entertainment and sad realities  facing our people at home whether being at the UNMISS camps or in the city.He presented the face of the country as is and of course he made both camps uncomfortable,  government and the SPLM IO for not taking their side . Myself as a government supporter and fair minded gentleman I thought it was fair enough. 
I was impressed by the panelists at the discussion specially Koang Duolany  www.m.ketv.com/news/mentoring-program-fosters-growth-for-south-sudanese-kids, and Jok Dau of South Sudan Youth Congress  http://mentoring-program-fosters-growth-for-south-sudanese www.dutjokyouthfoundation.org, and South Sudan women United led by Margaret Ben . Margaret introduced a peace, reconciliation and forgiveness book by Desmon Tutu a renonounce bishop of South Africa. The book focusses on healing and forgiveness and I strongly recommend it to all peace loving South Sudanese to read. Few veterans from various were also involved. The moral lesson from this event was that " though we all come from different tribes our common interest unite us and we are more united, strong in diversity and our divisions are from old school, these divisions are minor and not rooted in fabric of  millennium generation. We must be hopeful because 72% of South Sudan population are youth and mostly millennium.  

Happy 4th Birthday South Sudan; Better tomorrow ahead!

Tomorrow has come and the independence of South Sudan is real and this nation of ancestors will forever remain sovereign.
A nation born out of sacrifice, bloodshed, and martyrdom shall always overcome.
We never had it easy and nothing is ever too difficult to overcome, we have endured hunger, diseases, homelessness, and even death but yet we strive for your golden name, and your flagship shall forever strive.
The spirit of our ancestors and the martyrs of the Wau Massacre will protect us forever.
The land of Deng Nhial, Gordon Mourtat, Aggrey Jaden, and John Garang your most name shall be given great praise amongst the nation.
Nation at war with itself today will abandon senseless war, rise and proseper for a better tomorrow.
Nation at war with itself today will abandon tribalism, nepotism, and regionalism and unite as one nation and one people.

Nation at war with itself will one day rise with sense of pride and nationalism, and your children will scream "We are South Sudan, We love South Sudan," in unity and

http://www.southsudannewsagency.com/opinion/columnists/reply-to-indict-mr-salva-kiir-mayardit

Reply to an article: Indict Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit

President Kiir [AFP]

By: Justin Maker Bol

Is it masterstroke of misrepresentation or a compliment Daniel Abushery Daniel and Luk Kuth Dak?

Life is about full balance & moderation. “Don’t let today’s emotions ripple tomorrow’s dream”.

Dear, Daniel Abushery Daniel and Luk kuth Dak

January 28, 2014 (SSNA) -- In an ideal world when a friend wow a friend, They first contact each other as it has always been the norm in many other projects I have shared with Luk Dak my good friend.

However, this time things went different and my name was mentioned on a charged article with serious claim of indictment of the president of South Sudan Mr. Salva Kiir “To his advantage, Mr. Kiir has almost all of the Dinka intellects in his corner. Apart from a handful, namely Entrepreneur Justin Maker Bol, Professor Majok Arou, and of course, the widow as well as son of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the Dinka think tank machine is stone silent, almost gleeful to Mr. Kiir's efforts to wipeout the Nuer people. “

How did Daniel Abushery & Luk Dak assumed my position? Was it malice, misrepresentation or a compliment?

Firstly,I have had a number of the discussions since the beginning of Dec.15^th Events in Juba and intellectually we came to odd positions on how the events unfold. It is true that what took place in Juba on Dec.15^th was a coup against the elected government of South Sudan and the government has the mandate to defend the nation.

Secondly,I was invited to participate on the article  “ Dinka Intellects: your silence speaks volume” by Luk Dak. But, I declined the invitation and made my opinion very clear that the situation is fluid, and any contributions at this point may be construed to ignite violence. It is very difficult to strike a balance approach in explaining the events to an average man in South Sudan, I attested.

Thirdly, I have also expressed my position on Late: Garang’s family “

Rebecca Nyandeng and Mabior Garang” on my face book page and Luk has commented more than once on the topic.

I find it absurd that he put me in the same category with Garang's family while he is 100% aware I am at odd position against this senseless killing of Nuer, Dinka or any other human being for that matter. I respectfully refused to get engaged in a tribal war. It was Rebecca Nyandeng who went on BBC the very same time Juba was under attacked screaming " Nuers are being slaughtered at streets in Juba". It's my believe that because of such irresponsible wards the shooting started in Bor and Bentiu respectively. She is mother of a nation title she has never campaigned for. As a matter of principle she should have been neutral during the events and called for calm like she did during the lost of Dr.John Garang.

It is important that we rise above the common wisdom of violence as the means to settle disputes among ourselves.Wards are very powerful tools and must be utter with care.

It is true that some people of good will Nuers and Dinkas alike have acted with bravery to safe the lives of their fellow Countryman and I have heard heartbreaking stories of people who died protecting their neighbors in Bentiu, Bor and Juba.

For the record, Daniel Abushery and Luk Dak have deliberately or unintentionally misrepresented my position in their article. I support the elected government of South Sudan and strongly denounced any attempt to interrupt democratic process. I also condemned the killing of innocent civilian, Nuer, Dinka and any person who fell victim of this senseless war and I am encouraged parties involved have ceased the hostilities. May the lord bless our country and people!!

The author is a business man and he can be reached at jumaker@hotmail.com

Is the influx of illegal immigrants into the Republic of South Sudan a time bomb?

Is the influx of illegal immigrants into the Republic of South Sudan a time bomb?

Luk Kuth dak [File photo]

By Luk Kuth Dak

January 16, 2013 (SSNA) --Believe it or not, as experts, pundits and politicians see it, the influx of illegal immigrants into the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) is nothing less than a time bomb.

Occasionally, I am painfully reminded that Juba, the capital city, a place I once called home, is now harboring tens of thousands of undocumented aliens from all over the world, but supremely from the neighboring countries of Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and even Somalia, to name a few.

As I always delve when writing an article, a few weeks ago I called Dhanojak Obongo, the distinguished Deputy Head of the Mission at the Republic of South Sudan Embassy in Washington D.C., to get his perspective on this critical illegal immigration nightmare.

Here's is what Ambassador Obongo had to say: " Illegal immigration is not only a threat to our culture and our way of life, but most importantly our national security in the long run." Yet, for the best iterest of fairness, he went on to say, " We are really and truly indebted to some of the nighboring countries, for they were there for us when no one else was."

I could not agree with him more, and so with Justin Maker Bol, an SPLM outspoken member and a businessman in the state of Ohio, USA. He said, " Although immigrants are essential to fill in the gap in the market place, illegal immigration is certainly not the answer." " Aliens who break the law by crossing the border without proper documentation, or overstaying their visas should be deported," he added.

Hence, the goverment of the RSS should put into acount the consequences of having that many undocumented immigratns on our soil, and recongnize the fact that sooner rather than later, we will have a culture take over in the same manner in which the world most richest and most powerful, the United states of America, finds itself in pretty deep trouble in allowing well over twelve million and counting illegal immigrats into it's land. But not only that. The spanish language will soon be the tongue of the day in the USA.

 The truth of the matter is, employing illegal immigrants creats an unfair competetion in the work force. as a result, there are thousands, if not millions of South Sudanese citizens who are jobless, because illegal immigrants are taking them.

You need more?

Studies after studies have shown that illegal immigrants have no loyalty to the host countries, but in most cases, they have no interest in assimilating. Instead, they often try to imopse their own will, culture and language on the citizens of those nations.

Beyond that, it would take some bravery.... not political correctness on the part of the government of the RSS. it should do it utmost to come up with a comprehensive resolution to put an end to what could become a crisis, if not already is.

The author is a former anchorman at Juba Radio, and he can be reached at lukedak@hotmail.com