"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.
The fighting of Bor and Twic Youth In Perth Australia
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Don’t turn the house of my father into the den of thieves, said Jesus
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January 10, 2015 (SSB) — The attack that occurred in Perth, Australia was intentionally well engineered and delivered by very people who were meant to make any possible fight with the tiny Bor community in Western Australia. As Deng Atem Garang Guek ( Deng de Kuek on his Face book) backed up his Uncle Abraham Aleu Arok , both hails from Abek in Twic Bor county. However, Deng wrote prejudice article on his social website “National courier” that he controls.
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He popularly propagandised that the comment “JUORAMAl” which Jangdit Dengajok wrote on his Facebook page was the very reason which led the fighting, although an article which he posted only gains popularity among the Twic members but largely being ignored as bias without any basic justifications since it lucks journalism ethics. Some readers reacted that Deng Atem’s article is escalating more violence among the peaceful communities, in fact it’s definitely true. Something which the writer Deng attribution was one side story, still is.
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Mr. Deng Atem Garang failed to understand the nature of being journalist, the discipline within journalism. He behaves as if he was bewitched and under the demonic influence. The motive behind his writing is clearly understood by the readers, as his maternal uncle, Mr. Aleu Arok hails from tiny clan of Abek, and within the same clan they are from the same extended family.
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In matter of fact there was a tension building up within Saint Paul church especially between two priests, Abraham Aleu and Michael Anyang. But wrongly blamed on an innocent gentleman who new in the state, he had no idea if there was political division among the Greater Dinka Bor within the State he came to visited. regardless the already looming tension within the Saint Paul Church, the comment on jangdit’s Face Book page was made as best reason to wage war on Buor. As confidential information leaked out the people whom we know that they can unites people, but they instead do the opposite.
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As long the two communities shared many thing in common, this indicates that nothing can be operates under secrecy because such information could be intercepted easily, Manyang Deng Biar from Awulian (Agutyai Manyang face book name) was the very instrumental in destroying the peace loving communities in Perth. He instructed youth to discipline the tiny community of Bor. His message spread so quickly like a wild fire, it angered many within Perth and diaspora at large. So why would Mr. Manyang Deng Biar comment so nicely on social networking but under darkness he is doing the opposite? The crocodile tears!!
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Correspondingly, Mr. Akech Dau Angok was called by the Bor elder to ask his youth to end an attack, but Akech insisted that there was going to be fighting anyway, this is not a surprise attack, he added. Something which left the caller yawning.
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In other hand, as we spoke to an author of “ JuorAmal”, he stated that his message was intended to someone who wrote a harsh comment against his community by calling Buor as less Dinka. As we spoke to him on the phone, Mr. Dengajok said that his comment wasn’t meant for Priest Aleu but the context of the Status he posted matched the situation on the ground. He also explained, “if a thief had stolen someone’s property day before Sunday and in the following morning the priest preaches about stealing, the thief might felt the magnitude as if the priest knew his action, I therefore I assure everyone around the globe, in particular to the South Sudanese in Australia that my message was interpreted out of context” “let’s remains vigilant on issues concerning social networking, we must debate them on where we read them but do not bring them into our communities because those minor issues can have an impact on peaceful coexistence, perhaps if there was already tension in place”, he added.
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In order to understand the history involving Priest Michael Anyang Reng and Abraham Aleu Arok, first able, it dated way back in 2007 when Mr. Anyang decided to handed his Priesthood to Mr. Aleu Arok for times being until he finished his education and marriage. The handover of priesthood to Mr. Abraham was welcomed by the Saint Paul’s congregation, not forever, but temporal basic, although the relinquishment of such was not only made by the two individuals; on that point there was a written form which was witnessed by the Archbishop of Perth, and so the head of Mirrabooka Parish. besides that, the whole congregation of Saint Paul were also acknowledged, this means that everyone did witnessed the entire process as two Priests spoke out during the church service. Abraham Aleu then assumes his duties as Michael step down.
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Then the bizarre situation between two priests arises when Mr. Anyang decided to resumes his Holy Order position after many years away from his profession. Mr. Aleu was made aware in and mid 2014 after their first discussion failed in February of the same year. On the contrary, Mr. Aleu Arok refuses to buy it, he then directed Anyang to remains as normal part of congregation which not only shocked Anyang but an entire Bor community as to why would Mr. Abraham treats someone who honoured him after a huge humiliation he experienced during 2008 church’s split between Bor and Twic in an ethnic line. The Twic community had chosen Martha Adau Kongor as Priest in their church, and Abraham Aleu Arok decided to stay at home without going to any church until Michael Anyang Reng became so merciful to invite him to help in teaching the gospel and other tasks in Saint Paul’s Church.
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Furthermore, the Sunday of January 4th 2015 abruptly marked the turning point when secretary Daniel Deng Mach made an announcement during the Church service that Mr. Reng will come forward to briefs the church congregation.
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As he walk to the stage, everyone went silent, we could hear his steeping. In brief, he acknowledged the best part of Aleu, as well accused Mr. Aleu of not “ being cooperative in building the trust, by refusing to cooperates is an incitement which causes chaos” and “ The Church is like any Nation, she must be confident of protecting herself and faith, this happens if congregation are happy with the pastor/priest which teaches the gospel”, Anyang added. Anyang also gave decision to be made by the council..
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Over gain, as Daniel Deng Mach took microphone after Reng finished his speech, Mr. Daniel called the meeting of all lay council, to remains after church services so that they can workout the best solution to the emerging crisis between the two priests.
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Mr. Aleu became discontented with the speech of his opponent, in addition to that, he loosed his temper by asking Priest Anyang “to obey the rules of this country (Australia), that Anyang need to go back to discussions that we had made, and to go back to Archbishop of Mirrabooka parish where he handed his resignation letter”. “Anyang can not just come to me and assume to be just given the position, no no, it can not happen that way”, and also there is no meeting of any kind to be conducted until I say so he I assured people ”.
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Equally important, Mr Anyang came back to grasp a microphone off from Aleu as he heard Abraham saying the last word that there will be no meeting. Anyang said Mr. Aleu Arok should allow meeting of council to commenced, because this is the best way which I believe it can allow the congregation to make their own final decision, whether they would agree that they want me back, or if they only want Aleu to remain in charge”
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Another thing to add on, the head of Priests Rev Beatrice Pate also came forwards as she was about to concluded the prayers, she said that “Abraham Aleu is a nice person, he is very wonderful person, we all want him”, she clarified her position. She also recommends Anyang to write a letter to Archbishop of Perth to be re-licensed as Aleu previously stated. Her statement was clear, because Aleu is seem to had contacted them and brainwashed the Parish priests leaving Mr. Reng in quandary. Obviously ,Mr. Arok had added salt in the wound, his speech was full of anger and frustration as gesture could determine, the interpretation every single word he spoken, were all provocative. Likely many people anticipate that he predicted the council were all Bor, so they would kick him out. Should it be set-up!! it gives many glim of half a smile.
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As soon the prayers ended, Jangdit spotted Bol Garang passing by, somehow he politely asked the gentleman among the grown jokily why he shared his post, and then write an incitement post on top of the shared post? He assured Bol that you made people interpreted my message in different contexts. Its against privacy law. You should have asked me through an in box messaging.
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A question was simple, but Bol shows signs of readiness to fight. Mr. Dengajok left in dismay, but as he drive off to friends house with his cousin Garang , they were followed by those of Bol Garang and pursuit by three cars. Garang parked the near by park, those of Bol came in six numbers armed with base ball bats,steel bars,and so on.
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The verbal exchange escalated, those the two gentlemen were overwhelmed as twic youth used baseball bats and steel bars to attacks. The fight but luckily the friends of Mr. Dengajok came but see no need to back up their friend, unfortunately the police arrived at the scene in convoy. Both group were investigated, and set to go to their respective places.
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Mr. Jangdit left with his four friends so he and his cousin could change their clothes since they were ripped apart. Within half an hour, they hard the Buor in the community centre were the Twic youth were just nearby, spear headed by Chol Majok Chol from Pakeer, who also had married from Palek in Bor. The fight at the community centre was intense but the Twic East youth were repulsed as they were scattered around the area leaving their thirty cars behind with engines still running. Both sides sustained many injured but no one was admitted to the Hospital as previously reported by Deng Atem Garang on National Currier.
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Many questions remains unanswered, why would Twic youth attacked community centre if they were looking for Jangdit since he was not there at the centre during the attack? Why would they involved an innocent people if only they were offended by the message they read? Is there no leaders in Twic community? Why would Priest Aleu refuses to step down but knowing the church is largely occupied by Dinka Bor without a single Twic? Why would many youth from Twic came to the Church during Anyang speech and at the same time had with weapons with them?
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In conclusion, Mr. Aleu Arok should have resolve demand made by Anyang or allowed the Lay council meeting to go head without blocking it, in order to forge good outcome. The fighting which occurred would have been prevented given a great nature of Anyang which he shown during his speech following the events of consulting Aleu for period one year. Also should Priest Aleu Arok made a clear speech without any intimidation to either Anyang Reng or the entire congregation, just in Heavenly demeanour, hence it would’ve postured a great sensitivity of maintaining uniting church with vibrate place worshipping.
Bor and Twic East Clubbing Each Other In Perth Western Australia Over Church Politics.
Don’t turn the house of my father into the den of thieves, said Jesus
Dirty Anglican Church Politics Dividing the Dinka of Bor and Twi Communities In Perth, Western Australia.
In scenes straight out of Dinka cattle camp, Dinka Bor and Twi East youth mercilessly clubbed each other with sticks and baseball bats yesterday in Western Australia Capital City of Perth after church politics exacerbated by Facebook agitation got out of hand. The incident, which left many with minor injuries, and three others to seek medical attention unfolded after attempts made by a former priest who hails from Bor County in collusion with some church members from Bor County to oust the current priest who hails from Twic East failed.
Background
The dispute arose over the leadership of Dinka Congregation of Saint Paul’s Church, which is located on the grounds of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. Saint Paul’s Church is a part of the Anglican Parish of Balga Mirabooka in Diocese of Perth Western Australia. It is a attended by all Dinka people of various clans primarily those who come from Bor County, Twi East, and the Greater Bahr el Ghazal Region.
Dispute
In December last year, Michael Anyang Reng, a former Assistant Priest who had resigned his priesthood four years ago for whatever reasons, rang the current Assistant Parish Priest of Saint Paul’s Anglican Community Church Reverend Joseph Aleu and asked him to resign. Rev. Michael demanded that Rev. Joseph resign so that he may resume the leadership of Dinka Congregation because “his community” apparently has put him under pressure and asked him to take over the leader allegedly because the majority of the congregation hail from Bor County. Rev. Joseph politely referred Rev. Michael to the Archbishop and told him that he would resign if only asked by the Archbishop of Perth because as per the rules of the Anglican Church only the Archbishop has the authority to strip him of his priestly robes.
However, the matter did not end there. A certain Facebook character by the name of Jangdit Dengajok who hails from Brisbane Queensland, and whose real name is Mabior Ayuen Deng decided to fly to Perth in solidarity with his fellow clansman. On Friday the 2nd of January, Mabior aka Jangdit wrote the following Facebook Status abusing Rev. Joseph and the Twi Community:
“When Lucifer was sent down to earth, it’s because he attempted a coup against almighty. A failed coup led him to earth.
“So whoever wants to lead others, he is a Lucifer according to my knowledge. If you want to lead others, then be sure to bring you own forks (sic) within the leadership you’re leading.”
“I will be very happy if this #JuorAmal (derogatory term used by Bor against Twi people meaning ‘sheepish people’) is kicked away where we pray so we can breath the cols (sic) breeze.”
“There are some of our neighbours who always insist that they are good leaders even in churches. You’re wrong buddy!!”
“There is no way to herd sheep and goats together since they are different animals. They must be herded separately.”
“I am deeply offended seeing those who are against us leading congregations when they suppose to go where they belong (sic).”
“I am very happy seeing my standing up against all sorts of oppression, whether in government of local politics (sic).”
“The splits we see these days within the churches are only the mirror reflection of what originally took place in Roman (sic). So it’s not an offence when your brother is sent back to your own temple.”
“While in Perth, I am very optimistic that impossible becomes possible for no one allowed someone to lead his own family.”
This unsavoury message was seen and read by many before Mabior aka Jangdit deleted it. However, it had already been copied by many people among them Bol Garang and has been doing the rounds on the internet since.
Coup Fails
Then yesterday during church service announcements, the Secretary of the Lay Council Daniel Deng Mach who hails from Bor announced that someone wanted to greet the congregation. Rev. Michael Anyang then went on to address the worshippers and accused Rev. Joseph of being a bad leader and announced his candidacy and intention of wanting to replace Rev. Joseph.
Daniel Deng Mach then announced that there will be a meeting of the Lay Council, however Rev. Joseph in his capcity as the Assistant Parish Priest cancelled the meeting because it was not authorised. This infuriated Rev. Michael who ran to the microphone and told the worshippers that the meeting was going to happen regardless of what Rev. Joseph said.
However, the Head Parish Priest Rev. Beatrice Pate who was present rebuked Rev. Michael and told him in no uncertain terms that:
(a) Rev. Michael was unlicensed priest and therefore neither had authority to preach nor lead a congregation
(b) Rev. Michael would need to write to the Archbishop of Perth to get licenced and only the Archbishop can employ him.
(c) The accusations against Rev. Joseph were irrelevant because his job description pertains only to Church affairs and not community affairs.
(d) Any church meetings that are to be held must first be approved by the priests and chaired by the priests.
Thus with the coup against Rev. Joseph foiled the service ended with many hanging their heads in shame.
Confrontation
Whilst people were gathering outsides after the service, Mabior Ayuen Deng aka Jangdit confronted Bol Garang berating him for having reposted his status, which he had since deleted. Bol did not take kindly to being shirt-fronted and a war of words ensued. However, people intervened and separated the two. When things got heated Mabior aka Jangdit flung by nine fellow clansmen fled the church in a convoy of two cars followed by Bol and three other individuals.
Whatever ensued afterwards is disputed, however, what is clear is that the nine fellows plus Mabior aka Jangdit at the car park of Mirrabooka Police Station beat Bol and his three companions. The police luckily intervened and issued the groups with “Move On Notices.” The two groups went their separate ways with the Bor convoy heading to a community centre.
Nevertheless, the fight did not end there. A group of Twi youth when they heard that Bol and company had been beaten went to the community centre to confront those who had beaten their fellow county men. What the Twi guys did not know though was that the entire leadership of the Bor community having predicted their likely move was laying in wait for them with rungus (clubs), sticks and baseball bats hidden in car boots including the Bor Community Chairman, John Akuot Achiek and Saint Paul’s Church Secretary of the Lay Council, Daniel Deng Mach.
When the Twi youth entered the main building they immediately attacked the ten guys who had fought with Bol and his colleagues. Chaos ensued and some Bor Community members and Twi Community members who had no idea of what was going on tried to intervene but could not separate the two sides. By then John Akuot Achiek (the Chairman of Bor Community in Western Australia), and Daniel Deng Mach (the Secretary of the Lay Council of Saint Paul’s Church) had armed themselves with two rungus each and where chasing the Twi youth around clubbing them senseless.
Unfortunately for few members of the Bor community who could not wield their rungus properly, they got snatched and three of them got clubbed to such an extent that they required medical attention. The attacking Twi youth having realised that the police was probably on its way abandoned their vehicles and left the community centre.
Still in rage for having been attacked, some Bor Community members vandalised five cars belonging to some Twi youth by breaking the windows and slashing the tires.
Aftermath
The injured members are doing well. Mabior Ayuen Deng is flying away soon to Brisbane to enjoy his peace while leaving Perth in turmoil. Bor Community members have filed a police case against those who attacked them something that should have been done in the first place by anyone who felt aggrieved instead of taking law into their own hands.
The situation in Perth is tense and the rumour mill is in overdrive. Accusations are flying left and right.
Twi community leadership and Bor community leadership have buried their heads in the sand, living in denial that THERE IS NO problem between the Bor and Twi Youths with the Twic East Community Chairman Manyang Deng condemning National Courier in various posts on Facebook for bringing the dirty church politics and unhealthy social media habits of the two communities into light.
The irony of the situation is that Rev. Michael is related to Twi, his mother hails from Adhiok, Wernyol Payam, Twic East County where Rev. Joseph comes from. Mabior Ayuen Deng aka Jangdit is married to a girl from a prominent family in Ajuong, Twic East County. Some of the Twi youth who attacked Bor are also related to Bor by blood or marriage.
The National Courier urges the irresponsible parties and those who fan flames of hate aka the semi-illiterate so called intellectuals who contradict themselves left and right to desist from injecting venom into the society.
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.
