Abyei Region of South Sudan: All Eyes on Hon. Deng Alor Kuol
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By Jok WaMonychok, Abyei, South Sudan
Friday, February 21, 2020 (PW) — At the outset, I would like to congratulate H. E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Champion of Peace, the Messiah who is always ready to sacrifice, the Man of the People, and the Unsung Hero on his historic compromise that has revived the peace which was panting and wailing under the life support machine. Let me also congratulate Dr. Riek Machar, the Vice President designated and the people of South Sudan on the peace agreement reached.
One may be wary of possible return to J1 and 15th December considering the volatile nature of the relationship between the two parties. However, it remains to be seen if it will not just remain as trauma that has been inflicted upon the citizens by the incidents. From the look of things, all the parties to the conflict are tired of war so do the citizens and the region. And thus, there is no doubt that this time, they have come to feast and dance to the beats and rhythms of peace and nation building. They are thriving and yearning for an opportunity to paint their legacies with a bright color after long years of strenuous arms twisting.
With the Transitional Government of National Unity to be formed on 22nd February, 2020 thanks to H. E. President Salva Kiir’s historic compromise on the number of states, and the subsequent compromise by Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), it is widely expected that Hon. Deng Alor Kuol will make a formidable part of cabinet as the Foreign Affairs Minister. However, if it turns out not to be in President Kiir ‘s plan to appoint him there, it is fitting to advise His Excellency to assign him that portfolio and burden him with a number of duties namely Abyei and diplomatic rebirth.
When President Kiir assigned back to him the Abyei File, the people of Abyei and South Sudan at large celebrated with the hope that Abyei’s case would go the right direction towards final status. No one mistrusts Deng Alor when it comes to Abyei case. However, many questions have been raised and tentative answers given. One of these questions is: why the silence over the progress of the case? While one of the answers was our government’s engagement in the peace process. Now that peace is in motion, the din of questions and speculations will resume.
Fundamentally, when one is faced with such topical opinions related with the formation of the government, the most enticing thing is why one takes to the press to write about things beyond their jurisdiction. This article will remain as a reference to Hon. Deng Alor Kuol who has a hot stove in his head. That’s because, unlike the past when he was under moderate pressure, the people of Abyei who have been in constant limbo and sweltering heat of brutality and South Sudanese who have part of their body constantly bleeding look up to him as an enzyme beside President Kiir for determining Abyei’s status as South Sudan once and for good.
This time the Government of South Sudan has diplomatic relationships to repair and outstanding issues to solve. Abyei impasse to which Deng Alor is the file holder, Mile 14, Heglig, Hoffra el Nehias, Kuffia Kinji and others are another hard nuts to crack. The incoming government ought to in earnest set up concrete steps and measures that will yield positive outcomes with him playing pivotal role.
On the other hand, it is a reference to President Salva Kiir Mayardit who also has similar hot stove on his head. Birds of feathers flock together and even with nothing else, the two great men deserve to work amicably together for the betterment of Abyei and the country as a whole. Brought together by family and political friendship, love for the country, and wide scope of knowledge in national issues among others, the two men should reward us this time with unity of purpose. And if our gods; the gods of Ngok-Dinka; the gods of Awan Muorkuau; the gods of South Sudan could ask me for a favor, I would choose for the unity of purpose.
In extremity, I think of going to Abyei with a sacrificial lamb and pour down holy oil in libation in Abyein-Thony and invocate our ancestors and gods before slaughtering the lamb. Alas, I’m not a spear master. But with my little spiritual powers, I can dimly foresee that our ancestors and gods are not happy. Hon. Deng Alor Kuol as the visible leader of the Ngok-Dinka should spearhead the reconciliation with our ancestors and gods. There is an esoteric sense that this lack of unity and lukewarm attitude towards Abyei impasse is in part due to our unfaithfulness to ancestors and gods.
The reconciliation will pave way for salvation and ensuing blessings in term of health, love, wealth, peace, strength, and unity for the sons and daughters of Abyei. Deng Alor as a leader who is also loved by all the people of Abyei should face the challenge of uniting the few politicians who have gone astray in search for greener pastures to forge one audacious voice to restore Abyei’s freedom, prestige, and stability.
Hon. Deng Alor Kuol is a born politician with innate ability to provide direly needed political fireworks to President Kiir’s recent mushrooming political popularity. Affable, calm, experienced, humble, patriotic and loyal, he has acquired immense diplomatic qualities needed to steer Foreign Affairs portfolio to the pinnacle of diplomatic might. Let me make it clear that I am mindful of those who may think that he had held it in the past and that new broom sweeps clean. However, let me come in again to remind you of the fact that old broom knows all the corners. For this reason, we need our old friends (TROIKA, AU, and IGAD) back and the right person to beckon them to glance at their promises when they supported our liberation struggle and independence is Deng Alor Kuol.
Furthermore, Hon. Deng Alor Kuol no doubt has the ability to lobby for the lifting of sanctions imposed on prominent figures such as H. E. 1st Vice President Taban Deng Gai, Hon. Michael Makuei Lueth, Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk, Hon. Elia Lomoro and others. These men’s roles in the implementation of Revitalized Peace Agreement and the return to peaceful and prosperous South Sudan are paramount. Having them under sanctions in time when we are implementing peace is like attempting to row a boat tethered with a rope on a firm peg. It wouldn’t move.
Practically, President Kiir has gained his recommendable form as far as peace and unity are concerned. Throughout his dedicated leadership, he has been accumulating crucial points by convincing myriads of armed groups to lay down their weapons and join him. That is one to nothing against his rivals. Again, he reverted to 10 States plus 3 Administrative Areas and though it was first mistaken for a defeat, it was swiftly applauded regionally and internationally and gradually won him adulation nationally, subsequently turning the table on his favor.
Again, that takes it to two to nothing. To add the third goal to his tally, he has Deng Alor to bring closer to him and exploit his exclaimed diplomatic acumen. He need to condition Deng Alor with normalisation of fading alliances. This should be followed by successful reunification of SPLM which still wield upper hand in the heart of South Sudanese.
In sum, Hon. Deng Alor Kuol will be the busiest Minister if appointed as he is expected to stretch his catapult much hard to hit the highest targets (Abyei and diplomacy). President Kiir on the other hand will have relieved himself of heavy burdens if he exploits and supports Hon. Deng Alor on his assignments. Hon. Deng Alor is the lifeline of Abyei case and thus can’t be in peace with himself without bringing Abyei back to South Sudan. And thus, everyone looks up to him to complement President Kiir in bringing salvation to the people of Abyei.
The writer can be reached at jokwamonychok@gmail.com
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