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

Who is Responsible for Illegal Immigration into South Sudan?

By Justin Maker Bol

Justin Maker Bol [File photo]

During the civil wars, many South Sudanese people fled their country to neighboring countries looking for a refuge and better life for their families. They stayed at the UN camps as refugees and eventually got resettled to USA, Europe, Australia and few African countries. To draw the fine line between immigration of South Sudanese to other countries and the influx of foreigners into South Sudan is that, these countries have got established institutions, stable economies, and experience in crime prevention, where as South Sudan is a venerable new born nation without basic infrastructure and/or essential services…basically starting from zip.

Today, flog of foreigners have immigrated to South Sudan through Kenya and Uganda.  Most of these immigrants entered into the country without proper documents and majority of them without money. They are poor, sick, unskilled, untrained, criminals and scam masters. As a result the crime rate is in rise due to illegal immigration and the immoral values have become the new normal. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime but it is driving prostitution and spread of AIDS and unscrupulous business into South Sudan. These so called foreign investors are creating an anguish and lashing our young people into another dark trades of depravity and vice.

Let’s take a moment to examine some popular business models that exist in our capital Juba today and their influence in our Community.

It's self evident that sex trades and prostitutes in South Sudan are mostly from neighboring countries, of Uganda, Kenya, Congo, Ethiopia and Eritrea. These prostitutes work at bars, nightclubs, hotels and hospitality services pamper in recruiting sex workers to serve with minimum wages or no pay. Often, prostitution practice lead to human trafficking involving teenagers, violent and worst form of child abuse. It is obvious that prostitution jeopardizes the whole country at serious risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The spread of AIDS and STD in South Sudan could be catastrophic and would prime to lost of lives more than lives lost during the war a prince South Sudan must reject.

Manufacturing and falsifications of documents; In the Capital Juba you can literally buy any document, national and international passport, counterfeits, bogus academic certification, sham commodities, spurious medicine, and phony police badges just to mention a few. The poem “what money can buy” is a redundant in South Sudan. You got money? contract killing the person you don’t like. You got money? take the land of any poor person why  do have you have to pay it. You got money? drive your car without plate why pay for the plate.

Black and Grey Markets; underground economy which is widely spread and is terribly hurting our local community. The manner in which goods are traded only benefits foreign investors. An example is the way foreign banks operate in South Sudan. Most banks are directly involved in imports and retailing of commodities typically creating Grey markets which distribute commodities illegally and unethically but supported by the government or unintentionally unregulated. The consequences resulting from unregulated banking system are unbearable harmful to long term viable economic of South Sudan and will definitely throw more people into new poverty lines. So far middle class citizen in South Sudan are working for food or in another ward those who work and are able to afford food are the middle class because food prices have more than double since the independence.

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

Wrestling for Peace in South Sudan

Wrestling for Peace in South Sudan

Juba - Murders investigation with South Sudan Justice

As corruptions increases, policemen - the straight-laced, the brutal and the sleazy (I consider this last phrase as a bit too much) - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice. Who thought the history will repeat itself with a different twist in one of the remotest parts of Africa where more than 1% of the population have never seen LA confidential, a 1997 trailer (do you mean thriller?) – movie (I think you need to elaborate more on the similarity between the movie and your subject, now it sounds ambiguous). Enjoy Juba version:

On July 15/2012 nine police personnel were arrested in  connection to the fatal shooting of a bodyguard named Daniel Mayang Anyon “ Private SPLA solider” of Maj.Gen. Malek Reuben. The culprits were detained and an investigation was launched into the killing. In an internal investigation carried out by the police themselves, the police department and its prosecutor later determined that one police officer and one NCO were responsible for the murder and were detained pending trial.

The remaining 7 policemen have been released without charges, probations or any conditions. The circumstances surrounding the released of seven policemen were not shared with the victim’s family nor Maj. Gen.Malek Reuben who was the target of assassination attempt that took place in his house.

According to police report the attackers were asking during the shoot out where is your Boss? or‘ Wenu Janabu Bi Taki “ in (the local “Juba Arabic”) language which simply means the target was Gen. Malek himself. But his bodyguard paid the heavy price , his own life, in the line of duty. The death of this braved young men man should be regarded as mysterious since the culprits are caught red handed.

In an ideal world this case does not matched a mere criminal case, which ended up with the death of private SPLA solider. 

The accused entering into Gen. Malek’s house is an “ intrusion into a private property” a charge that must count for everyone involved. The fact that they were asking “ Wenu Janabu Bi Taki” translation where is your BOSS was a clear motive that the attackers had premeditated and ill intention planed and hence the 7 policemen should have not been released before the trial.

Unfortunately, on Sept. 24/2012 the unthinkable happened a week after the released of the 7 policemen who were accused of killing Gen. Malek’s 1^st bodyguard, Gen. Malek’s house was attacked again and (the and) a  his 2^nd bodyguard, a Private SPLA solider named “ John Maring Dhieu” was also killed in the line of duty.

The way in which this case is handled is questionable especially after the killing of the 2^nd bodyguard. The murderers of the second guard are unknown and the 7 policemen who were released from detention have not been summoned for questioning yet.

Gen. Malek Reuben is a successful military leader and following considerable success he is the financial director accredited of getting salaries of military paid on time a timely manner. It is unknown what is the culprit’s motive ation for targeting M/Gen.Malek, but it is believed to be jealousy, political idealism (do you mean ideology?) or contract killing… the death of the two bodyguards is still shrouded in mystery without justice served.

What is ideal The ideal way of handling this case is the formation of a joint committee between the police and General headquarter of the SPLA to look into the killing of the two bodyguards Late .Daniel Mayang and Late John Maring Dhieu. These two brave young men and their families deserve full justice.

This is a serious national security issue and it could stir tensions turn tenacious between the SPLA and the police forces or bring tribal tensions between different groups. The government of South Sudan must take right steps to ensure justice to the families of deceased late Daniel Mayang and John Maring without delay.  

If the government does not put an end to this lawlessness Juba would become the murder capital of east Africa and the world soon. 

By Luk Kuth Dak
November 9, 2011 — Justin Maker Bol is one of my favourite people. He did what no other South Sudanese in the United States has ever done. He’s his own boss. Besides, he is an outspoken, smart and conservative man, who cherishes family values. He attends all of his son’s football games cheering him on the side line. My daughter, Mirry Dak, is lucky to have him as her uncle.
If he were born in the US, where talents could have been discovered early on and developed, he could have been like Bill O’Reilly, of the O’Reilly Factor, Rush Limbaugh, or even Larry King, respectively.
Maker remains one of the few voices of wisdom and reasoning with in the Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM). A few weeks ago, I rang him up at his residence in Ohio, to inform him that the party he’s been so loyal to his entire life has just made an irreparable harm by importing Islamic teachers from the North, to teach Islam in public schools in South Sudan!
Here’s Justin in his own words:
“The history of Sudan teaches us since the Mahdist, Aboot, Nemiry, through Al- Bashir, now that Islam was/is a source of intolerance, extremism and Jihad. During both civil wars, he continued, the Anyana one and the SPLA, North Sudan had declared Jihad against South Sudan. Islam was used as a weapon to rape, enslave, and kill the non-Muslims in South Sudan. More so, conversion to Islam was more than enough qualification for a South Sudanese to get a high government position in Sudan. The list of brutalities committed in the name if Islam is never-ending.”
He went on to say: “But today’s opinion is not about the past, but the future for South Sudan, the choices that must be made, and certainly, the priorities the government has to undertake in securing that future. Currently, and for the obvious reasons, the Arabs states and governments are flowing in support to South Sudan’s Muslims (SSM.) From the invitation of 100 pilgrims by Saudi King, Abdullah bin Abdulazziz, to the establishment of (Al Madrasa) by pragmatist, to this extreme idea by the ministry of education in the government of South Sudan to bring in hundreds of teachers from North Sudan to teach Islam in our public schools. Really, is South Sudan national interest reliance upon Islamic teaching? The burning question is: Did the ministry of education complete its priorities in setting up primary education? Sounds good for a ministry of education who has equipped its schools with high technology standard.”
“I am not against Islam. Truly, the South Sudan Muslims have the right to enjoy full religious freedom, but the inconsistent standards, lack of vision, accountability, absence of curriculum, extremism, and radical ideology impose real risk that should not be ignored.”
I could not agree more with Maker. Having lived in America for decades, I do not believe that the state has any business in dictating practices of one religion on its people, especially those who have been victims of that religion.
The state and religion should stay independent of each other. In particular, South Sudan has a long road to stability. So, a secular form of government should be employed.
The author is a former anchorman at Juba Radio. He can be reached via e-mail at lukedak@hotmail.com.