Twi Community in Canada Conference Announcement

Twi Community in Canada Mission and Vision

Vision

Unity and effective pooling of resources for Twi County (Twic East) development and prosperity

Mission

Twi Community in Canada will mobilize human and material resources in order to efficaciously unite all the Twi community clans and sub-clans for efficient development and provision of indispensible services for the health, security and prosperity of the county

Sub-communities in Twi County (Twic East), Jonglei State

Twi County (Twic East) has one of the largest Jieng (Dinka) sub-tribe in Jonglei State. This community is comprised of 16 clans namely: Abek, Adhiok, Kongor, Awulian, Dachuek, Ayual, Anok, Hol, Bere, Chir, Akonychok, Kuac, Nyapiny, Ayoliel, Adiang and Abiong. All these clans are traditionally governed by able and well-respected chiefs. There are various sub-clans governed by sub-chiefs.

Reason for the Conference and leadership institution

Twi Community is one of the families of dialectal Jieng (Dinka) groups such as Agar, Rek, Nyarweng, Hol, Bor and Ngok etc. As sons and daughters of Twi Community in Canada, we are pleased to be forming Twi Community organization to bridge communication gaps, channel resources, promote unity, and foster meaningful cooperation among our people both abroad and back home. Forming Twi Community organization will be away forward in consolidating our collective efforts for the betterment of our people. As we know, there are no reliable schools and health care centers, infrastructure, and more importantly, community cohesiveness. This bridging requires our collective utilization of knowledge and skills acquired abroad to initiate developmental programs such as agricultural projects, entrepreneurship supported by provision of micro-finance for small business, education and peace-building initiatives etc. Besides these, we are forming the organization to help us in reunification of Twi Community in Diaspora when the incoming leadership will organize the Home Coming Reunion (HCR). It will be a rare moment for Twi community members to reunite with their relatives after more than two decades living in other parts of the world. Without any functional leadership and brainstorming to be made possible by the conference like this, we will miss an opportunity to observe and utilize our knowledge and skills for the benefit of Twi Community and the nation at large.

Having a conference to elect a sound leadership will ensure effective coordination and cooperation, which will then put check and balances on community affairs locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. It is important to have a “cohesive community” with “talented and responsible leadership”. We are envisioning and hoping that our upcoming leadership will be more practical with inclusiveness, socially, economically, culturally and politically.

Historical Background and Contribution toward Freedom Struggle

Historically, Twi community is a peaceful county that believes in tolerance, respect for human life, personal dignity, communal integrity, governance transparency, and pride as the records of good relationship with neighboring counties within Jonglei State manifests. The reason why we believe in peaceful co-existence with our neighbors is because we are one people through intermarriages, geographical proximity, and shared history. As people of the Republic of South Sudan continue celebrate the birth of the new nation, it is an honor for the Twi community to afford South Sudanese a glimpse of the history of massacre in 1967 when Khartoum government ordered the killing of 17 chiefs in Twi County (Twic County). That 1967 massacre is remembered according to Twi Dinka’s traditional calendar as Run ë Na? de Bäny; literally meaning, the year in which the chiefs were killed. Among them were paramount chiefs Ajang Duot Bior and Bul Koch who were asked by Khartoum’s brutal judiciary to jump into burning fire if they believed South Sudan’s land belonged to South Sudanese. The killing took place in Paliau and a mass grave of the assassinated chiefs was marked in the same payam. These chiefs were civilians, but they suffered untold suffering because they were known for their unwavering support for the dignity of their people and of being loyal citizens for the course of South Sudanese’s freedom; leaving historical records as source for future learning for generations to come.

What we learn from 1967 massacre

Ø We learn that in 1967 in Twi County (Twic East), there were untold massacres of able-minded leaders

Ø We learn that our community has been suffering in the hands of Khartoum government during the Anya Nya war and before the second civil war of 1983.

Ø We learn that Twi community chiefs massacre is a unique legacy not found in many communities across South Sudan

Ø We learn that these chiefs have not died in vain as their lives are part of more than 2 million lost in the course of our struggle for freedom

Ø We learn that the chiefs have set precedent of resistance for Anya Nya I, Anya Anya II and Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M)

Ø We learn that their sacrifices have contributed greatly towards independence of South Sudan.

Moreover, our chiefs’ legacy of unwavering support has transpired into achievable vision. For example, the founder of the SPLA/M who came from Twi community has lead the course of South Sudanese knowing what had happened in his home county. The assassination of almost all the community leaders was not only a humiliation to the Islamic government in Khartoum, but also, an act of inhumanity. That unforgettable incident energized late Dr. John Garang de Mabior Atem to define South Sudan fundamental problems in the right way. In Twi community, it was not only the founder and father of the SPLA/M, Dr. John Garang, who was inspired by the call for freedom, many sons and daughters of that community picked up the legacy by joining the ranks and files of Anaya I & II plus Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA/SPLM) as of July 9, 2011.

Late Dr. John Garang’s Home County Celebrating July 9, 2011

As Twi historical accounts continue, celebration of July 9 declaration of independence intensifies. In Panygor, Twi County (Twic East) Commissioner, Mr. Dau Akoi, hoisted the flag of the new nation in the county that witnessed untold massacres and human suffering in the story of South Sudan. Many citizens of Twi County (Twic East) accepted citizenship as their responsibility and heeded the call for freedom struggle. They therefore left their community for various theatrics of many ills during the struggle.

About the Election Process

The process will be done through ballot box with an attestation of free, fair and transparent election. All interested candidates are advised to submit their applications to the organizing committee not later than August 25, 2011 at 4:30 pm, Alberta local time. Submission can be done via email or by phone. If you are submitting your application by phone please register your name by contacting Mark Aruai Bol at: marcmcbolaruai or Juach Khor at:abrahamkhot2005.

Each application should include the title the person wishes to apply for. Each of these posts will be deputized and that means the leadership of TCC will be composed of 10 elected members of the executive body. Upon completion of the election, all the elected members will take their responsibilities in the office with the mandate that each province will have executive body to mobilize memberships and resources for an effective deliberation and execution of TCC’s mission and vision. Last but not least, there will be a celebration on the last day of the Twi conference and all other communities in the city of Calgary especially citizens of Jonglei State will be invited to join us. Also, we are extending our invitation to Twi County (Twi East) citizens living in the near-by cities in the United States of America to join us on that day since our goal is meant for the same people back home.

Executive Positions

1. President of TCC in Diaspora

2. Secretary General

3. Treasury

4. Information

5. Social Affairs

6. Council of elders

Organizing Committee Members and their Contacts:

Ø Abraham Juach Khor: 403-793-5241 or email: abrahamkhot2005

Ø Michael Nuul Mayen:403-427-0394 or email: michaelmayen10

Ø Mark Aruei Bol: email: marcmcbolaruai

Ø Dau Achuoth Yong: 403-3633396 or email:

Ø Kiir-Agou Garang , phone, or email: kiiragou

Ø Abraham Mayen Yak: 204-880-4735 or email:

Ø Mabior Thuch Wieu, phone, or email: thuchmabior

Ø John Garang Chol Aguer, phone, or email: johngarangc

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of the above individuals either by phone or email. For readers and members of Twi community around the globe, please stay tuned for the conference news and conference report.

To respect the historical integrity of the people, and also acknowledge political realities in South Sudan however ambiguous they might be, we’ve decided to use both the correct name of the people (Twi) and the county’s political name (Twic East) for the benefit all