Barrels of conflict

Barrels of conflict

By Atok Dan Baguoot

In between barrels, there is death and live

It is the barrel of live and death

In the barren lands of Sudd, barrel kills

In the contest of two barrels, human life extinct

In the barrel of gun, armies of people kill

In the barrel of crude oil, armies of people contest bitterly

Barrel of oil and gun tend to serve the interest of masters

It is the battle of two barrels

Bitter arguments between masters end through the use of barrel

It is the barrel of problem and solution

Even automobiles move through one barrel

It is the barrel of crude that move the barrel of force,

the barrel of gun

Barrel of gun intimidates the barrel of crude oil

Crude masters go for barrel of gun

Barrel of crude oil buys crude use of force

Crude leaders go for both barrels

Poor kill themselves with crude weapons,

rich kill the poor with crude force of barrel of crude oil

Crude masters buy barrel of gun with barrel of crude oil

They enrich themselves with barrel of crude oil

They protect their riches with barrel of gun

In the interest of barrels,

even Heglig oil field is fortified by barrels

Armies protect barrel of crude oil with barrel of gun

They protect with barrel and die with barrel

It is the barrel of life and death

With barrel of crude, life and happiness reign

With barrel of gun, death and despair prevail

With barrel of crude, tanks and armored vehicles move

With barrel of crude, military fatigues are procured

Tanks, armored vehicles and military fatigues prevail to protect barrel of crude oil

Both barrels safeguard interest of the rulers

Both barrels safeguard interest of democracy and dictatorship

Both barrels are instruments of governance

Even in the execution of justice, both barrels still prevail

Life without barrels end in barrenness

Fossils and ore make two barrels,

they are barrels of curse

Atok Dan is a media Specialist based in Juba. He is reached at atokbaguot

Atok Dan

Radio Production Specialist

USAID/Economic Governance Project in South Sudan

atokdan@dcopllp.com

About Post Author

PaanLuel Wël

administrator

PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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