An Open Letter to H.E Lt. Gen. Marial Abur, Governor of Warrap State
Gen Marial Abur, Governor of Warrap State
By Madit Deng Achuil on behalf of Akok Community
Friday, 01 November 2024 (PW) — Dear Lt. Gen. Marial Abur, Governor of Warrap State, Akook Deng Achuil community acknowledges your recent appointment as Governor of Warrap State. Your leadership comes at a crucial time, given the ongoing conflicts between communities in Tonj East and North, and it demands someone with experience and a strong commitment to the principles of transparency and ethics.
With your extensive background as an Army General, Security Advisor for Warrap State, and State Advisor on Governance under previous governors, we believe you possess the skills and knowledge necessary to resolve the conflicts in Tonj East County.
However, it is essential that you address the root causes of the conflict between Akook, Luacjang, and Thiik communities impartially. We urge you to act as a leader of Warrap State, rather than a community leader of luacjang community in the seat of the governorship of Warrap State.
What are the underlying factors contributing to the differences that have arisen between our community and your leadership?
We would like to express our deep concerns regarding your recent public speeches, which have furthered division and reflect favoritism among the conflicting communities in Tonj East. Since your appointment as Governor, your speeches have misrepresented the ongoing conflict and undermined efforts to achieve peace and development in our region.
Furthermore, your presence in Romic during the recent invasion of Ngapagok raises serious doubts about your leadership capabilities. If the conflict persists, it can be attributed to your behavior and the favoritism that has been evident even prior to your assumption of office.
Reflect on these questions before attempting to solve the issue in Tonj East County: Which community is the primary cause of the conflict? What is the role of the Thiik community in this conflict?
All the wars fought since the breakout of this conflict in Tonj East—what was the cause of each event, and what triggered it? Where was the war fought, and who was fighting whom?
If you take your time to investigate the sequence of these events and answer these questions without favoritism, while being guided by the principles of a statesman with ethics and transparency, you will be able to address the conflict in Tonj East County.
Firstly, during your address in Juba, you stated, “Luacjang is not fighting with Akook community. Thiik is the primary community in conflict with Akook, and Luacjang only acts as a protector of Thiik.”
You went on to defend your community, denying their involvement in the invasion of Ngapagok on October 2, 2024, despite being present in Romic, the headquarters of Tonj East County, where the attack was organized under your watch before the invasion took place.
And this is what you said during your speech in Juba at your house, “If Luacjang had invaded Ngapagok, nothing would have remained alive, and it would have been left in ashes, like what happened to Maper Agar.” These remarks distort the truth. Both Luacjang and Thiik communities have actively participated in this conflict, which has claimed the lives of our innocent women and children.
Secondly, on 29 October 2024, during your reception at the state headquarters in Kuajok, the same favoritism was evident as you again tried to portray Luacjang community as innocent. You said, “I urge all the state officials to help me bring peace in Tonj East between Akook and Thiik community, plus Adoor community of Jalwau.” If a governor of the state can keep repeating the same rhymes of evil and try to twist the truth for the sake of his community, then:
Do you have the capacity to lead Warrap state to live in peace? Do you even have the confidence to carry out rallies in conflicting areas while trying to make your own community appear innocent, despite the public knowing the true cause of the conflict in Tonj East?
The conflict began on 5 May 2024 when Sultan Deng Madap was mercilessly killed in Luacjang while searching for his lost cows. This is the genesis of the war in Tonj East between Akook and Luacjang communities. Akok community do not consider Thiik community as the instigator of the fighting in Tonj East, even though it has now formed an alliance with Luacjang community to fight Akook community.
In conclusion, the Akook community demands transparency and a correct interpretation of the ongoing conflict. We urge you, as the Governor of Warrap State, to form an independent committee, composed of representatives from all counties in Warrap State, to investigate the root causes of the conflict in Tonj East County.
A committee free from favoritism would provide a fair and unbiased assessment, which is essential for bringing this conflict to an end and restoring peace to our communities.
We stand firm in our belief that peace and justice can only be achieved through transparency and genuine leadership. We trust that you will rise to the challenge and lead Warrap State with integrity.
The author, Madit Deng Achuil, writes on behalf of Akok Community and can be reached via his email: Madit Achuil <maditdeng4@gmail.com>
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