Comments : aniel Awet lets the cat out of the bag: Jieng cattle-camp mentality

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Daniel Awet lets the cat out of the bag: Jieng cattle-camp mentality
Jul. 02 Featured, Uncategorized 8 comments

BY: Prof. Peter Adwok NYABA, Ph.D., JUL/02/2017, SSN;

It isn’t possible that people who’ve been struggling together against
a common enemy for nearly six decades could turn in the end against
themselves as if nothing strategic bounded them. Many people in the
civilized world find it difficult to comprehend South Sudanese
leaders’ attitude towards their country and people.

South Sudan has been at war since 2013 in which more than half a
million people perished; four to five million South Sudanese
dislocated from their natural habitat and are living in the forests,
swamps, in UNMISS Protection of Civilians Camps or in Refugee Camps in
Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and the DR Congo.

Famine and diseases like cholera and malaria are taking their toll on
the people in towns and villages. Internecine fighting over grazing
and cattle rusting still claim lives in the erstwhile peaceful Dinka
territories.

In its current social, economic and political configuration, South
Sudan depicts a complete breakdown of state and a recoil to what the
world was in the Stone Age era.

Not that many of us did not know the consequences of this Jieng
parochial vanity, but we had hoped the logic and imperatives of
constructing a state in modern times would impel prudence on the part
of these Jieng chauvinists to prevent backward drift towards savagery.

In a talk to the so-called ‘lost boys’ on 9 June 2017 in Syracuse, NY,
transcribed and posted on the Facebook, Hon. Daniel Awet Akot, in his
usual ingenious honesty, let the cat out of the bag.

On piecing together the threads of Awet’s clumsy presentation, it was
possible to decipher and explain South Sudan’s current predicament.

Mr. Daniel Awet Akot was a subsidiarity to the SPLM/SPLA
Politico-Military High Command. In his own words, he is one of the six
surviving members of that defunct body, which adamantly shunt
ideological orientation and political education to raise the social
awareness and political consciousness of the SPLM/SPLA cadres,
combatants as well as the masses of our people during the war of
national liberation.

He is a member of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) and advisor to
President Salva Kiir Mayardit. Therefore, Daniel Awet was acting in
that capacity to convey official policy to the Dinka Diaspora.

The JCE comprising the Jieng political, military and business elite is
the driver of Jieng ethnic nationalism and its ideology of hegemony
and domination, which is an important driver of the raging civil war.

Daniel Awet’s talk to Dinka audience in the USA could not have come at
an opportune time and therefore warrant serious attention and
response.

Most of his talk impinged on policy issues aimed at engineering a
false reality that only the Dinka fought for the independence of South
Sudan. That all the nationalities in South Sudan, including our
regional supporters, contributed in one way or the other for the
independence of South Sudan goes without saying. It is therefore
unjustifiable to continue to hammer this falsehood.

The message Mr. Daniel Awet delivered was not in any manner a
revelation. The people of South Sudan including some Dinka compatriots
have painfully been enduring the atavistic behaviour of the JCE only
to enable the people of South Sudan to exercise the right to
self-determination and achieve sovereignty.

The dull chauvinists fail to grasp the reality that constructing Jieng
ethnic state, tantamount to imposing a primitive ‘mode of production’
and archaic ‘relations of production’ on the people of South Sudan, is
not only moribund but will also inflict immense suffering to the
people.

The politics of exclusion, discrimination and marginalization led to
dismemberment of the Sudan

The JCE, rather than the SPLM, constructed a system of governance akin
to the cattle camp governance in accordance with the rule of the
thumb.

The cumulative effects of this governance system, whereby Jieng
community leaders occupy senior positions in the executive,
legislative and judicial organs of the political establishment, which
outwardly occur as tribalism, nepotism, corruption, inefficiency,
incompetence, impunity, insecurity and finally the civil war, have
plunged South Sudan into the abyss.

This is not a system Mr. Daniel Awet or any sensible individual would
advocate for in a place like New York.

The Jieng social system or mode of production – pastoralism – upon
which the JCE would want to model South Sudan state, lies at the
lowest level of human socio-economic and cultural development. It
would constitute a serious contradiction in the age of science and
technology.

As an acephalous society, the Jieng are in a state of perpetual
segmentation and therefore never evolved a tradition of indigenous
statehood or centralized authority.

Therefore, the attempt to impose Jieng hegemony and domination by
physical force will historically parallel the destruction of the Roman
Empire by the primitive tribes of Northern Europe and Scandinavia
sometimes in the medieval ages.

One aspect Daniel Awet admittedly attributes to Jieng model of
governance is the corruption in the government of South Sudan since
its inception in 2005. No government would tolerate the theft of a
staggering figure of US$25 billion.

However, that nobody has been taken to the courts of law means that
this theft came in the context of Salva Kiir’s project of economic
empowerment of Jieng individuals and businesses christened ‘payback
time’.

The ‘dura saga’, the ‘Letters of Credit saga’, the ‘crisis management
committee saga’, the ‘Nile Pet saga’ and the ‘theft in the Office of
the President saga’ all link to Jieng individuals and businesses.

The JCE undertook this enterprise to achieve Jieng politico-economic
hegemony and domination by combining the control of political and
economic power.

The JCE leadership of South Sudan produced a totalitarian
dictatorship, whereby President Salva Kiir governs by decrees.

Unlike some benevolent totalitarian regimes that generated
socio-economic development, JCE totalitarianism triggered civil war,
massive impoverishment of the people of South Sudan and the bankruptcy
of the state.

The reason is simple; being a backward class, in terms of primitive
mode of production, they did not plough into productive enterprises
the billions of dollars they stole; instead stashed it in foreign
lands in the form of real estate, cash in banks, luxuries cars or
froze this money in form of cattle. The huge herds of cattle in
Equatoria is contributing to ecological degradation and environmental
pollution.

The kinship nature of the JCE modality of state in respect of those
opposed sprouts in Daniel Awet’s diatribe reflecting a conversation
with Mama Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior. His question, “are you now ‘Maan
baai’ or ‘Man baai’, transliterating to whether Madam Rebecca de
Mabior is a ‘mother’ or ‘enemy’ of the Jieng nation’.

This thinking encapsulated a social psychology – herd mentality,
typical of kinship mode and relations of production that equates
dissent with treachery.

This explains why many Jieng intellectuals opposed to the JCE will
never speak out against it openly lest they suffer social boycott.

I hope my Padang Dinka compatriots will rubbish off Mr. Daniel Awet’s
falsified knowledge of Chollo (Shilluk) history.

His reference to the so-called national dialogue (ND), ostensibly as
the forum where the Jieng would raise issues with others, speaks
volumes.

Like the Establishment Order 36/2015, with which the JCE torpedoed the
agreement on resolution of conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS), I believe
the so-called ND will be another JCE ploy to coerce the other South
Sudan sixty-three nationalities into accepting Jieng hegemony and
domination.

It is likely that the anticipated recommendations would translate into
Jieng communities and their cattle herds unlimited access to land in
Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal, which underpins the current land
grabbing and dispossession of communities of their ancestral lands
inherent in redrawing of boundaries as per Establishment Order
36/2015.

Mr. Daniel Awet went at some of the SPLM Leaders former political
detainees speaking of them disparagingly smacks of unveiled
deep-seated jealousy. His pinch at Dr. Lam Akol and Dr, Riek Machar
describing them as “two nyagats”; was uncouth as it was a hit quite
below the belt.

Speaking of SPLM reunification, and the Arusha Agreement between the
three factions [IG, IO and FPDs], signed on 21 January 2015, nothing
could be more insincere.

First, the formation of the JCE consigned the SPLM to the dustbin of
history, which was its raison d’être. The idea of forming ethnic
caucuses in the executive and legislative organs of the government as
well as ethnic and regional associations and unions in the schools and
universities was to undercut the SPLM and render it dysfunctional.

The SPLM reunification, now the Entebbe process, is something
different. Its contours run around certain individuals among the FPDs,
which links to Salva Kiir’s quip, “what I will regret till my death
bed is that I did not kill the former political detainees”. The task
of the process technical advisor is to ensnare to Juba the FPDs such
that Salva Kiir may have a chance on them. They should watch out.

Having discoursed Awet having let the cat out of the bag, I want to
pause and ask ourselves whether the desire to erect a Jieng ethnic
state in South Sudan is worth the suffering, sacrifices, tribulations
and the agony the people of South Sudan are experiencing daily and a
possible dismemberment of the country?

Author
Dr Peter Adwok Nyaba
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8 Comments

Samuel Atabi
July 3, 2017 at 8:59 am

Dear Dr Peter Adwok,

We South Sudanese will always remain indebted to you for
insightful and knowledge-based analyses of the Jieng’s plan for South
Sudan. Some of us had warned years ago that the Dinka were planning
hegemony in our country, but we were dismissed as street intellectuals
and scribblers. We have now been vindicated. But we do not need to
always be reactive to and analysts of the Dinka’s plan; we need to
have our own plan against theirs.

I predict again that South Sudan will break up like Yugoslavia in
the foreseeable future. The ingredients are in place for this to take
place: the incessant selfish attitude of the Jieng; their backward
political culture; and the dearth of patriotic and nationalist
leadership among them, are some of the ingredients. I foresee that the
Equatorias plus Western Bahr el Ghazal, excluding any Dinka enclave,
will form a new independent and sovereign country of civilized,
Christian and peaceful people. The Chollo, Nuer, Anywak and other
non-Dinka peoples, will come together to form another independent
country. After this rupture, the rump South Sudan will be inhabited by
the warring Dinka tribes who might have to be annexed by the Arab for
their (Dinka’s) own good.

This prediction might not come to pass in my life time, but I have
no doubt in my mind that it will happen. Hence, non-Dinka peoples
should begin to seriously consider this proposition instead of
wringing our hands at the constant machination of the Jeing.
Reply
Agutraan
July 4, 2017 at 7:55 pm

Samuel Atabi and John yugu modi,

You guys have no clue about what it takes to liberate a
country; you think that to liberate a country; you can just do it
while living overseas comfortably but that’s not how it’s done in any
way shape or form.
When is the last time you liberate an outpost guarded by
soldiers let alone a town controlled by the army? Or do you think;
waiting for Dinka women and children on the highways and murdered them
is the way countries are liberated?

Or you guys think that you can liberate a country by writing
thousands of words bashing Dinka on the internet is the way to
liberate yourselves? If it were that easy; liberation of South Sudan
would have never taken almost 3 million lives but we would have
liberated South Sudan within minutes in 1955 and in 1983. Just enough
with the fantasy of liberation that you don’t have any clue of how
it’s done!
Reply
Lokosang
July 4, 2017 at 12:46 am

Bravo Dr Adwok. What you expressed in this article actually
reflects the reality of JCE mentality.
The reason behind the creation of 28 states is to achieve their
dream of ruling South Sudan for more than 100 years and to ensure it
is achievable, they have to control all the apparatus of the state
from executive, judiciary and the parliament. The number of states in
JCE enclaves are half the total number of states in the country. That
means in any democratic process they will be the dominant factor. Any
empire that is instituted on falls beliefs is likely to disintegrate
miserably. The ill intention that was meant to rule others is now
working against the odd. They are now killing each other over grazing
land, and water. I said it before and will say again and again that
people should reject the creation of the 28 states which is now 32 or
34 because the motive behind is obvious.
The only way to get out of these mess is to reverse the decree of
creating more states, revive the peace agreement that has been
abrogated by the regime and must be inclusive of all political forces
in the country.
Reply
Abel Magok
July 4, 2017 at 2:45 am

Dr. Peter Adwok

One can’t imagine how ugly it is to read lies and exaggerations
from highly an educated individual. Adwok talks like never been in
government, though he was a minister since 2005 to 2013, and never
mentioned in many of his articles a single thing he left behind in the
ministries he worked starting from Khartoum to Juba, I mean the
achievements he could be remembered for.
He is talking now about disadvantages of regional associations and
unions at schools and universities which is true. When did Adwok,
discovered disadvantages of such unions while he was a minister of
higher education in South Sudan? they were in his direct authority and
never tell us what he attempted to do with such unions he is blaming
people still in government.
Moreover, he is talking a lot about corruption, no one can deny
corruption in South Sudan, can anyone believe that Dr. Peter Adwok was
the only angel in the bunch of corrupts ministers from 2005 to 2013?
we can not believe he was just sitting and watching them doing
corruption, he involves like others he blames now.
It is unfortunate to see highly educated people expected to bring
the country out of the mud we are in lowering themselves to zero level
and drown in tribal practices couldn’t even distinguish between Dinka
and government.

Adwok talks of Jieng community leaders occupy seniors positions in
the executive, legislative and other, if we can answer his tribal
short sighted clams, he himself Adwok, Pagan Amuom, Oyai Deng and Lam
Akol, four of them from Chollo were ministers before they choose
rebellion. What is the size of Chollo as tribe to have four ministers?
Only Dinka in Tonj area can double Chollo three times and Adwok with
his education is not feeling ashamed in his blames.

Adwok mentioned that more than half a million people perished in
South Sudan, four or five millions dislocated, they are living in
forests, swamps and UN compounds. True there is deaths and suffering
in South Sudan but never hear of such numbers, in the last census,
population of South Sudan was estimated as 8 millions and compare it
with Adwok numbers.
South Sudan is all forests may be Upper Nile region lack forests
and people living in villages are living in forests while others with
cows live in swamps areas and this should not be new to Adwok.
With such tribal attitudes from highly educated people, South
Sudan is far from stability until those people perish or learn ideas
that will bring us together as Southerners not tribes.
Reply
info@southsudannation
July 4, 2017 at 7:55 pm

Abel Magok,
Whilst you are absolutely correct to point out the despicable
lack of self-blame from SPLM giants like Prof. Adwok Nyaba, you also
are among the defaulters of this failed organization, the SPLM.
Truly, there were and still there are NO angels in this
monstrosity, the SPLM. Instead of showering the same and typical jieng
criticism on anybody digressing with this monstrous party, you should
instead stand out and tell us what the solution is to the problem.
Yes, it’s the jieng dynasty under king kiir and the Daniel
Awets who have exacerbated the disaster in the country and no sane
person should support that.
Unity, which has proven disastrous in South Sudan, cannot be
forced on anybody by a regime rightly perceived as the originator of
this disaster.
South Sudan can be chopped up into three or five
semi-independent states, that should be given at least five years of
survivability and then after that they can choose to either re-unite
or continue as independent states.
Believe me, we are a resources-rich nation with lots of
God-blessed resources everywhere. Instead of watching these SPLM
thieves ‘eat’ everything in their failed rule, let’s look at some
solutions that will bring peace and good lives to all the people
living in this accursed nation now called the Republic of South Sudan.
Editor
Reply
John yugu modi
July 4, 2017 at 4:58 am

Dear brother Atabi,
I do concur with your though! We told the arabs before that south
Sudan will eventually break away ! they never believed that! The Same
scenerio gonna happen in south sudan.. This retarded Dinkas think they
are smarter than arabs..! Is very unfurnate that they fail to learn
from history!
How can batch of uncivilised retardads who can not even live peacefully
among themselves be able to govern a whole diverse country !
I rather die as as proud poor Equatorian resisting oppression and
domination than living as a slave of uncivilised savages ! Our fight
is legit and justified.. For sure we will prevail.. Equatoria let us
roll!
Reply
False Millionnaire
July 4, 2017 at 5:06 am

Is it because Awet Akot lashed out on Riek and Lam that’s the
cause for the ranting or is it the reproduction of Dr Nyaba’s former
two articles?
The one,the other and the third combined to make up one single
subject of Dr Nyaba’s life time obsession and that’s the fear of jieng
hegemony in RSS. That was the very motive for the events of 1991 in
which he was a centeral player among the makers of those events.
Having helped to delay the independence so that the fate
determined Garang’s destiney,Nyaba and the Nasir’s groupe became the
makers of Kiir and the JCE and finally the wretched state of affairs
of which the country and the masses have fallen into today.
One decade of RSS under Garang would have meant one hundred years
of progress.There was a smoke with regards to the land conflict
between shilluk and padang jieng but Garang knew how to sleep over it
and that was meant to promot dialogue leading to national cohésion as
one country and one people.Garang is long dead with all of that.Dr
Nyaba and the rest of his like should find something better to do than
picking on such trifflings as Awet Akot lashing out on the traitors
like Riek and Lam who aren’t any different than himself.
Reply
Ww
July 4, 2017 at 11:06 am

Dr. Nyaba,

Are Jieng, JCE, and the government one and the same?. No. It’s
uterly misleading to convey to your audience that the “Jieng
community” as a whole is somewhat responsible for the dire situation
in South Sudan. Sadly, imbeded in your psychic and your soul is anti
Jieng people hate and propaganda. Don’t not beat around the bush,
hating Jieng is in your blood and history.

The problem of South Sudan has been one of political Leadership,
yourself included. who are the political leaders in South Sudan? SPLM
IG, SPLM IO, and the so-called G10. Look at their military and
political leadership history, without exception, and tell your
supporters reasons you fault “Jieng” here. You leaders are not
exclusively Jieng, I’m confident of this. Don’t shift blame for your
failures.

It is disappointing, to say the least, given your academic
superiority and the knowledge you possess of the history of South
Sudan and its people, to have this incredible naive and parochial view
of the problem of South Sudan. But good luck Sir. from this Jieng, all
the desire is to see South Sudan in peace and all its people living in
harmony. However, this false narrative of Jieng people being the
problem of South Sudan is a wrong prescription to the disease of South
Sudan. let’s us diagnose the problem correctly or else, it’s a doom
for the country called South Sudan.