Abyei Continuously Bleeds: The Blind Eyes to Scorched Earth Policy in Abyei Region
By Jok WaMonychok, Abyei, South Sudan
Friday, January 24, 2020 (PW) — For every nation on earth exists a mean of survival. That fundamental notion which has been misinterpreted into mere existence on earth continues to drive South Sudan, International Community, and the people of Abyei; both leaders and civilians into complete oblivion. In addition, it has bred an utter shameful scenario perfectly akin to complacency. Life alone without protection of life, property, and liberty is not worth living. And therefore, every government at every level seeks to observe that these basic elements of Human Rights are met.
Across South Sudan, the rhetorical question asked by the elites and citizens alike is whether or not Abyei is part of South Sudan. In fact, one would quickly know that this question arises in situations such as the Kolom massacre in the early morning of 22nd January in which 32 loss their innocent souls, 24 injured, over twenty houses burnt to ashes, and 15 children abducted and when people cry foul on the continuous negligence by Abyei Special Administrative Area, South Sudan, and International Community through UNISFA. In these situations, you sadly find people including elites denying Abyei as part of South Sudan. Abyei is South Sudan, let me correctly put it. Its administration is appointed by President Kiir with a presidential decree in Juba.
The constitution endows them with equal citizenship rights and duties as any other citizen. Its sons and daughters were among the pioneers of liberation struggle that culminated into independence of South Sudan. As a result, its sons and daughters are key post holders in the government, army, police, and all the sectors in South Sudan. Therefore, the government of South Sudan under H. E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit must take audacious lead in condemning these heinous killings and protection of life, property, and liberty.
Sometimes, it is not appropriate to rush and tell others what they should do. However, we are obligated by the fact that a lot had happened and nothing happened. This is because, while South Sudan constantly uses lame excuses of rebellion and infancy, the sovereignty of the nation has been the only parrot formula sang in highly amplified level, neglecting the fact that lives of the citizens is the primary duty of the government. It can be argued that South Sudan as a sovereign country should remain mindful and proactive in meeting the requirements for sovereignty. This is the duty besides other duties that we seek to keep reminding our government at all levels of that simple truth.
Indeed, we know our government cannot protect every citizen living in every corner of the country. However, everything to do with arms must be done with the knowledge and consent of the government. And as UNISFA controls everything within Abyei, a pressure from the government of South Sudan could reduce restrictions on the Ngok-Dinka forming its own vigilantes. We can’t longer entrust our security to anyone that’s not our own. My article says less about UNISFA because we all know that despite full mandate to protect civilians with necessary force against anyone posing as dangerous, UNISFA has many reasons to be malevolent. It is a well-known fact that UNISFA has surveillance and intelligence capacity to monitor the movement of any armed elements in the area. The pressure from the government is of paramount importance here. It is deeply worrying to understand that South Sudan wields little or no influence on UNISFA over Abyei.
In the wake of this sad event, this is the right time for the Government of South Sudan to come out openly and revitalize the results of 2013 Abyei Referendum, which is 99.9% in favor of joining South Sudan. Given the fear which exists among South Sudanese of full blown conflict with Sudan, we should embolden ourselves by flexing our muscles in several ways without taking war as an option. War is an avoidable scenario through extensive diplomatic campaign for the recognition of the results. If war may breaks out, it will be for short time, but it has been imminent anyway. Why avoid it if not because of this senseless war?
However, war cannot be expected here especially as South Sudan wields the upper hand over Sudan because of the political upheaval in the Sudan and the former as the mediator. I have heard many Abyei and South Sudanese leaders saying the final status of Abyei would be achieved before the end of last year on the account that all the revolutionists and the Government of Sudan are made up of their colleagues and they had shown a gesture of good will to Abyei case. This is not as simple as it may sound. This dilly dallying of the Abyei impasse requires a serious handling, devoid of donned comradeship and hallow promises. This is the right time to face the puzzles surrounding Abyei.
These heinous crimes carried out by Misseriya backed by Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) dates back to the early days of Sudan Independence when successive Khartoum regimes devised a scorched earth policy on Ngok-Dinka and other southern tribes. To Abyei in particular, a battalion called Hajana was integrated into Misseriya cattlecamps in platoons. They were armed to teeth. While Ngok-Dinka had a well-organized and well-equipped army with spears, swords, clubs, and shields until the end of 1960s when Ngok-Dinka begun to acquire firearms locally known as peri, brain makou-Ngok, Abu shara-Chinese and jim through Congo. There was a balance of power even with Misseriya being backed up by SAF. Still today, there’s a presence of SAF and many militia groups in Kech Oilfield mistakenly called Diffra( Diffra means incursion in Arabic). South Sudan should also take the same military steps in Abyei by sponsoring its own militias.
Gone are days when Ngok-Dinka could depend themselves. When I listen to elders narrating the events such as battles of Mithiang-Kihir and Wachanguom, I feel immense sense of pride and dignity. Today, I feel humiliated and indignant. It was possible to defend ourselves because of two things: first, there were strong leaders who possessed bravery, patriotism, charisma, and art of war. They commanded unity. Second, Ngok-Dinka was well-organized militarily with each age-group and age-set actively mindful of what are expected of them. Now, we have brave leaders alright, but they haven’t inherited many qualities from their forefathers. In particular patriotism is questionable. Today, Ngok-Dinka is divided into effeminate disgruntled groups based on clans, based on the second language (Arabic and English), and based on aimless political affiliation inclined to greed for power and fame.
The Anyanya II insurgency of 70s and earlier 80s benefited from this organization of Ngok-Dinka. The guns together with their owners were mobilized and were instrumental in providing security on the way to Bilpham. This should clearly act as an eye opener for those who remain ignorant of the fact that the people of Abyei are South Sudanese who shouldn’t be forgotten now that there is a country called South Sudan. I was inspired and humbled by a compatriot I found educating others of what Abyei is. “If anyone wants to be a Sudanese, he/she should pack and leave our land. And if anyone calls Ngok-Dinka foreigners, you are our number one enemy,” he seriously warned the dumbfounded traitors.
Having known these, if there is a son or daughter of Abyei who goes parallel or took up arms against the government of South Sudan, he or she should be treated as an individual. I have heard people blaming Deng Alor for “leaving Abyei problem and indulged himself in South Sudan power struggle”. Being citizen of South Sudan, he is entitled to participate in national issues with Abyei just as his birth place. Abyei does not belong to any particular individual, but to all South Sudanese. Any service in term of protection or whatever rendered shouldn’t be myopically viewed as a favor to a political ally but to the great nation of South Sudan. All these sons and daughters of Abyei serving in Kiir’s government are all appointed by him. We have never been given an opportunity to elect our own leaders. That’s why their allegiance is only to President Kiir and not to the people. Many of our leaders do not listen to us and thus, they are aliens to us. When you meet and greet them, you become a celebrity for you have greeted a rare breed.
In conclusion, South Sudanese from all walks of life have expressed their shock and solidarity with the Ngok-Dinka. Ngok-Dinka on the other hand has awoken from their comfort zones to cry and talk loudest. But these are not enough and shouldn’t stop here. The Kolom Massacre is not the gravest massacre. We have Babanusa and Dheen massacres in which Ngok-Dinka were burnt to ashes in front of watchful police. We have two invasions of Abyei of 2008 and 2011 by SAF. The people of Abyei and South Sudan altogether must bear in mind that this outcry in social media and other media flatforms are for attracting international attention to the Abyei impasse. These barbaric killings between Ngok-Dinka and Misseriya started long time ago since two communities came into contact and it will continue into the future. We therefore should have a plan in place for maintaining our land. We must learn how to harm others.
The writer can be reached via jokwamonychok@gmail.com
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