Dr. Riek Machar in Minnesota, USA.
15 min readDr. Riek Machar address to Sudanese and American friends in Rochester Minnesota
By Lul Gatkuoth Gatluak
October 13, 2012
The meeting is chaired by Taban Ladu Artema, secretary general of the SPLM Minnesota Chapter. Comrade Taban started his chairing by telling Dr. Riek, welcome to Minnesota. We South Sudanese in Minnesota are very happy to have you among us. We must start our meeting by singing South Sudan national anthem.
After national anthem, Taban call up on the chairman of South Sudanese community in Rochester to say few words, the chairman states the following. I am very happy to be here, I would like to welcome all you to Rochester. I do believe that you all know Dr. Riek; he is one of the few individuals who know the history of our struggle. It is good that he has come to talk to you and you will hear directly from him. I am not going to spend much time, other than saying welcome to Minnesota Mr. vice president.
Then, Taban call upon Lero Odol the chairperson of SPLM chapter in Minnesota and Lero start his briefing by saying, “Derujiot! Male! Chuvac!” All I would like to say is that, I am very happy to be here. I am not going to have much to say other than saying thank you to Dr. Riek Machar for coming to Minnesota and take sometimes out of his busy schedule to come and speak to us. It is very important to learn from him sharing some of the very important issues facing our young nation today. The fact that a rain has rained coinciding with the coming of our vice president is a sign of blessing from God almighty. I am not going to waste time, let me just turn the microphone back to Taban so that we have enough time to hear from our guest of honor.
Taban pickup the microphone again and ask if someone has come from mayor office, there was nobody. He then call women league department, Mary Machar who was arriving the meeting hall rushed to settle down her handbag and purse and then took the stage. Mary: thank you very much brother Taban for calling upon me. I am so happy to be here! Although I haven’t prepared, I would like to thank our vice president Dr. Riek Machar for coming to meet with us. We are very fortunate to have him among us today. Dr. Riek’s father name is the same as my father name. We have something in common. The fact that I haven’t prepared, I must only ask question to our VP, here in US, many of our children are in prisons, what can our government do to help these children? Please, we need help!
In proceeding, Taban call upon pastor Andrew, like Mary said, I haven’t prepare either, but I am so happy to be here among you and I am happy to be part of Sudanese community in Rochester Minnesota. We are very blessed to have South Sudanese Christian brothers and sisters among us. In South Minnesota, we have about six different Sudanese congregations who praise God with us together every Sunday; that a huge blessings from our heavenly father. I ask God to continue that blessing and help us fulfill one another needs. And then, he prayed blessing the gathering.
After Pastor Andrew, Taban introduce Lado Gubek who said the followings, His Excellency, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, His Excellency Dr. John Akec Koch, the ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan in Washington DC ladies and gentlemen, more than twenty years ago, Dr. John Garang and many others took up army to fight for injustices in Sudan. They fought against many regimes in Khartoum so that we inherent freedom. For more than these twenty years, we have been mistreated, oppressed, marginalized and massacred in large numbers. Last year, our suffering came to an end on July 9, 2011 when our independence was proclaimed. I must compare this as the birth of a baby and I must give this baby a mother. Let me use Rebecca Nyadeng as an example. Rebecca Nyadeng for twenty plus years had been pregnant and gives birth last year for ten children whose eleven of them hasn’t been born yet but will be born soon. These ten children are ten States of South Sudan plus Abyei that will be soon become our additional State. Through our leaders and all SPLA gallant forces, we are free at last! Now is the time to enjoy the prosperity of our land and coexist peacefully. Our guests of honored are Drs. John Akec and Riek Machar, both men are from Minnesota. John Akec was a resident of Minnesota before becoming an ambassador. Likewise, Riek Machar has family members in the State of Minnesota, therefore, they are Minnesotans. Due to the time factor, let me turn the chapter to introduce one of a friend. He was a medical Dr. before peace and became an ambassador during the interim period, ladies and gentlemen; help me in welcoming our ambassador His Excellency Dr. John Akec Koch!
John Akec: thank you very much Ladu Gubek for the nice introduction. I am very happy to be here. His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the vice president of the Republic of South Sudan and Mrs. Becky Machar; my friend the chairperson of the SPLM chapter in Minnesota Mr. Lero Odol and all of you, I am so delighted to be home. I was in Minnesota before I became an ambassador, so this is my home. As you know that I am so euphoria and elated to be with all of you again, I am not going to speak longer. I must only express my appreciation to each and every one of you for welcoming me back to Minnesota. I will save some times to chat with many of you after the meeting. I want all of you to know, I am not the first ambassador of South Sudan to United States. The first ambassador is you-South Sudanese people who were the first to tell our American friends about the suffering of our people. I must stop here and let our guest of honor his Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny speak to you, ladies and gentlemen, here is our Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny! Applause.
Dr. Riek: Thank you very much ambassador Dr. John Akec for the nice introduction. I came early in the morning to Rochester. I had prepared. It is good to be here with you today. I will start my presentation with the present agreement between the two countries. You all know that we close down the oil last year. We thought it was a good decision. However, it turn out, many people even our good friends were not pleased with the decision we took. I must base first part of the presentation on nine points we had just agreed upon. The agreements we just signed are as followed:
1 The 1st agreement is an Agreement concerning Oil and related Economic Matters: We have agreed on financial arrangements for the transportation, transit and processing fees of South Sudan oil through Sudan. Very soon, the government of South Sudan will take necessary measures to resume oil production from all fields in the territory of South Sudan with in 14 days of the signature of the agreement. Our government will issue an instruction to the oil companies operating in South Sudan to reestablish oil production in the same token, Republic of Sudan within the same period will issue instructions to oil companies to reestablish processing and transportation facilities for oil produced from South Sudan onward to Port Sudan. A joint Petroleum Monitoring Committee shall be established within twenty 21 days of the signing of this agreement to oversee the implementations of the provisions. The agreement shall remain in force for a period of three years and six months as the date the first South Sudan oil is delivered at the marine terminal and a bill of lading issued.
2, The 2nd agreement is the Framework Agreement on the State of Nationals of the other State: This agreement essentially is an agreement on the four freedoms; these are residence, movement, undertaken economic activity and ownership of property. In South Sudan we still have Sudanese from Sudan who live and do businesses. These individuals’ life will be protected and be allowed to move freely between our two countries. A high level joint committee shall be established to oversee the adoption and implementation joint measures relating to the status and the treatment of the nationals of each State in the territory of the other state. This committee shall hold their first meeting within two weeks.
3, The 3rd agreement is an Agreement on Boundary Demarcation and border issues: Our border happens to be the longest border having 2, 000 kilometers extended from Northern Barh el Ghazal State to Southern Blue Nile near Ethiopia border. Yet, we still have not agreed on border issue; however, African Union mediators working out the differences that are remain unresolved. It has been stated that, a joint border commission will be appointed to complete the demarcation process. Their work will start very soon and their movement will be protected.
4 The 4th agreement is Framework Agreement for Cooperation on central Banking issues: Before South Sudan independent, Sudan has only one Central Bank; now, South Sudan has created its own central Bank. In this regard, a parallel banking system must have to be created. A committee will be appointed and their work will purposely be supporting financial stability and sound banking policies in the two States in order to enhance cooperation and to promote trade and mutual economic viability of the two countries.
5 the fifth is the Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Issues: Our two countries are tied culturally. It would be impossible for us to avoid trading with each other. In this agreement, there will be a joint ministerial committee who will work specifically on establishing trade relations. They will work in promoting technical cooperation in regard of trade and trade-related issues. Their work will also involve dealing with supply and demand. They will also work to pick profitable or fair prices to each and every trader and customer who try to raise prices beyond the normal. They will also going to be faced with tough competition regard of diversification of economical commodities.
6 The sixth is the Agreement on certain economic matters: Division of Asserts and Liabilities, Arrears and claims and joint approach to the International community:
This agreement is the distribution of assets. Any asset located in the land falling on the side of the Republic of Sudan, will fall to the hand of Sudan government; and asset located in the land falling on the side of the Republic of South Sudan will fall to hand of South Sudan government. The agreement is dealing on the assets and liabilities including debt and balance of payments in support of State archives, cultural heritage property, and non oil arrears. We have agreed that, we must pay 3.8 million dollars to Sudan to help pay its international accredited debt.
7 The 7th is the agreement to facilitate payment of post-Service Benefits:
The Republic of Sudan as the continuing State has acknowledged its duty and agreed to pay all post-service benefits to all South Sudanese who were working for the government of the Sudan. A joint ministerial committee to work on pension will be established. Their responsibility will be to discuss all issues related to pension’s administration of relevance to the two States.
8 The 8th Agreement is on security Arrangements:
The parties agreed to cease harboring or supporting rebel groups against each other. In a very short period of time, the two countries’ border will be demilitarized. The parties had also agreed to open border crossing corridors immediately.
9 the Issue of Abyei
We failed to agree on the issue of Abyei. Abyei is a home of Nine Ngok Dinka but annexed to north in the time of colonial rule in Sudan. During CPA negation in Kenya, it was not easy to resolve Abyei protocol. The deadlock was brokers by Americans. I mean, Abyie agreement was arranged by the Americans and both North and South accepted it. During the interim period, the government in Khartoum fails to implement the provision of Abyei together with Southern Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile protocols. That led us to file court arbitration in Hague. Yet, Sudan did not respect the outcome, and that led us to war again in Hegleg or Panthou this year. We withdrew from area following International Community pressure. In this current agreement, Bashir has rejected the African Union High Implementation Panel (AUHIP) proposal gain under former South African president Thabo Mbeki who works to facilitate negotiations between the two countries. We are now leaving it on the hand of AUHIP to keep pushing the two countries.
Beside the above points, I have three additional points to make. Number one, while you continue to live in this country, make sure you are going to school. When you come to South Sudan, come with a degree we will employ you. A degree is not only demanded in South Sudan, it also demanded even here, when you have a good education, you get good job that pay well. If you could not able earn a degree, come with money, you will establish a business that will replace the education. Then if both education and money are hard to get, make sure you invest in your children’s education. Educate your children so that one day, they will carry on your legacy. Don’t be like some of us who migrated to North Sudan in our days in school who did not grasp the opportunities that were available to them. They lived like they will go home tomorrow; yet, some of them didn’t go anywhere they became old in the North and didn’t do anything possible for their future. Many of them end up there.
We know many of you contributed one way or the other during the war. We still expect you to do the same in the development of the country. When I was in Arizona last two weeks, I met some of you who are helping with the development. For instance, John Dau establishes a clinic in his home town. Peter also establishes a clinic and Koch establish a primary school. These are the lost boys who came here like you, finished their education and decided to do something back home. I know there are many of you who will not go back to South Sudan; if you choose to stay, make use of the American dream. This is a land of abundance where hard work is paid off. Do not engage in criminal acts; just work hard to reverse the poverty you were in? This is a land you can work hard to realize your potentials. While ago Mary Machar talks about those of you who have broken the law; I know you have about 3, 000.00 south Sudanese in jail. You ran away from the war in Sudan years back, there is no reason for you to make trouble in this country. Americans have received you with open arms. But, if you are committing crimes, then you are disappointing the Americans who are working hard to help you. You all know American people had supported our struggle. Without the help of the United States government, we might not be an independence State today. We might still be at war. Like I said many times, organize your-selves as South Sudanese community. Few minutes ago someone handed me a paper advocating for tribalism between you here, this is a good start. I know all of you are not supporting only one party in South Sudan, we have about 23 political parties, some of you may be link with those parties but, when you organize as South Sudanese, it doesn’t matter what kind of party you identify yourself with back home; you must remain member of the large South Sudanese community.
Let me asks you, how many of you came here as only ten years old? There were nobody raised, you see, this is the change. They are not here may be because what we are doing is not in their interest or they believe it is a work for old people. These people are different and they already grown, they would be twenty-three years of age by now. Why do they change like this when you those who know South Sudan still alive, what about when you gone? These people will not know what tribes they were coming from, they will only know South Sudan if you teach them. I want you to engage our children to sports. I am 6ft 2inch what can I do if I live in this country? I should play basket ball. I want you to encourage your children to play basket ball or an American football, they will make use proud back home. Do you know Guor Marial? He is a South Sudanese-American who qualified to compete in Olympic but could not run as an American because he is still carrying Green card other than American citizenship. He could not also run as South Sudanese because we still do not meet certain requirement to be member of the Olympic body. Guor Marial was only allowed to run as an independent Marathon athlete runner; he made us proud. Do the same, encourage your children to engage in sports like him so that we are proud of them. Thank you very much! I look forward to answer some of your questions.
Audience stood in applause and some of them were singing songs. The floor was open for questions. Too many questions were asked, some in Arabic and I don’t fully understand Arabic. I haven’t either recorded all questions that were asked in English, I only wrote down some of the questions that caught my interest.
• The first question was asked by Lual Omot, Dr. Riek, you talk about good stuff but those of you in the government are doing nothing. What kind of the development and services you are delivering to people? Let take Pochalla and Akobo for example, there is no development coming to that part of the country, people still drinking dirty water, no clinic in the area, there is no everything, what do you do?
• Dr. Riek respond: we in the government came up with the idea that, in the Payam level for now, we must establish healthcare centers. And in the county level, there has to be a clinic. Then in the State level, there has to be a hospital; until when we have enough fund for the development. In Pochalla, we have a healthcare center there and have a clinic in Akobo. Also while ago, you heard me talk about some of you from Diaspora who help built clinics in their home towns, you should do the something; organize yourselves as a community and start building clinics, schools and water wells. Last month, I was invited to a gathering organized by young South Sudanese in Omaha Nebraska. I didn’t come, but I sent Paul Mayom Akech minister of water and resources irrigation who did a very good job. These young men are from maiwut they decided to bring water to South Sudan, instead of taking Bore wells to their area; they took them to Western Equatoria State. This is the kind of the good job you should be doing as organized communities. I want you to establish non profit organizations, recruit Americans and come home to do whatever interesting you.
• The second question was asked by a youth chairperson whose name I failed to record: What can the government of South Sudan do for those of us who are going to school?
• Dr. Riek, the government could not afford to pay for your schooling here in States; just use the opportunity you have here.
• The third question was that, you talk about us going to school and earn a degree or make money that when we should be successful when we come back home; what about those who have experiences on what they are doing here, like if you are a janitorial job could you still be employed? Here life is not easy. People are working hard in order for them to survive, you work; take care for the kids, then, no time for study.
• Dr. Riek: I know you are working really hard in this country, but try to balance your time with your husband. If you work in the morning, let your partner work in the evening and arrange time for study. If it became a burden for you, just invest in your children’s future; make sure they are well educated so that we will take good care of you when they are grow up.
• The fourth question was asked by Akim Lado, what is the government doing in tackling the issue of corruption?
• Dr. Riek: we have established an auditoria team. All government officials are going to be audit; this would help in tackling the problem of the corruption.
At the end, pastor Makuer close it for prayer.
Very respectively
Lul Gatkuoth Gatluak
Saint Paul Minnesota
The author should be reached at simonlul2000@yahoo.com or 651 500-7397
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