Discussion on the Issue of "Lagu Recommends Unity in the Future"

January 25, 2011
Lee Kontibon,

Once again, you are wrong. Though I had problem with the conference ethical process, I particularly praised Lagu's advice. Here is what I said; "Ethically, he should have discussed such a matter in the office of the president of GoSS. Even though his criticism is constructive, its ethical process diffuses it. From my understanding, an advisor should be testifying on behalf of the government in issues or areas of his/her expertise." Therefore, he was hired to be a part of the government to give these advices in the office of the president, not to go out and make a conference call on a vague representation. A government representative would have said, we believe, we discussed, we are discussing, or at list I talked to the president, but that was not the case, was it? Yet, you based your judgment on wrong speculation. Parts that I did not like, I clearly talked about them. You were right when you said "No person would actually expected Lagu to say, “there must never be unity with you again in future." Also, no one would expect Lagu would recommend a unity. What would you think widow of Dr. Garang, soldiers in Bilpam and all people who lose dear ones would think? Have you notice that what he said sounds like what he must have said just before 1972? After I have been waiting for referendum, what would you think I want to hear from a government representative, a recommendation of the unity? People are getting ready to battle Abyei and the worries of whether the referendum results will be respected is still at steak. What world is Lagu living for God sake? Martin Luther King once said; A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on installment plan.
Mr. Lagu talked about the unity in a clear manners. He even talked about the previously two German countries as an example but did not give reasons of why hoping to leave the door open. Let me remind you of what he said; “My advice at the moment is that lets us leave the door open for the possible re-union of the Sudan. When they [northern Sudanese] come to their senses and remove some of the factors that caused the split within the country, then we could think of a re-union as one,” He cited East and West Germany, which was separated before it was reunified in 1989"

You thought I disliked "fighting tribalism, good leaders based on democratic principles and term limit" that Lagu suggested? Based on what Lee? You seem to be even coming out with even more baseless accusations. Let me ask you Lee; do you really have a passion on solving our issues? Do you feel the conflict or are you just looking at every man out there if not your tribe you assume discriminatory? Let me convey to you that most of our conflict starts on issues like what we have started here. Let me cut to the chest; Perhaps you are discriminating me without knowing. You assumed I disliked Lagu's suggestions, you assumed I want to keep the leadership, and so on and so forth while the truth lies out there. Take matters in the meanings in which they have bean verbalized. If you have a passion to solve our issues, you will apologize to me and never do it to anyone else again.

Lee, I don't want to continue this argument since you redesigned it and assumed it discriminatory without reasons, however, I would like to invite you to read it once again, and this time, pay attention to the title so that you properly get lead to interpret what is said in it. I would appreciate it if no assumption is taking place in any further discussion. My understanding is that you live in Australia. There are thousands of miles distance between us to just be able to read our minds remotely.

Giir
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Giir,

Infect, what actually prompted your criticism of Luga was not his statement of future unity between South and north which was a good statement that any government officials must now adopt to making after the referendum to portrait a good image of Southerners in contrast to northerners, but the truth is, you were angered by Lagu’s suggestion that, “We need to fight tribalism by selecting leaders on the basis of good leadership based on democratic principles. Let us not repeat the mistakes made by previous regimes.” Also his suggest of term limit for president are the factors that contributed to your anger. No person would actually expected Lagu to say, “there must never be unity with you again in future.’ If he had to say that then he would look like a savage politician. This was what I meant when I said you might be a savage leader if you happen to say exactly that.

Kontibon
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Lee,

You said; "The future South Sudan if led by the way you conduct your politics, South Sudan would be among the savage countries of the world."

Its always hard to respond to your messages since you tend to use personal levels. I do not know you or things that motivate your behaviors towards my writings. I remember up to a few years of petty accusations you threw them on me. Today, you still generalizing my ideas just as you said "your politics" with no specification. What are you talking about? I am sure you have just voted for separation, were you a savage? Better yet, let me rephrase you; Giir is savage because he did not endorse the idea of talking about unity, we want to talk about unity, but we do not want unity. Where is the sense here, Lee?
Do I know you from some where? Do you tend to single me out for a reason? I don't want to accuse you of any thing but I am not sure you are behaving civilized.
Look brother, I am afraid you got it all wrong if you come in public with some God awful grudges to bark. You got to do more than that, say what is savage, or what savage is in my conducts.

Giir
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Mr. Giir,

The future South Sudan if led by the way you conduct your politics, South Sudan would be among the savage countries of the world. In politics image and words go together. When Lagu was talking of leaving the door for Unity open, it doesn’t mean he was pushing for the Unity of Sudan again. No, this is politics to make the North look more guilt than before and south more decent. After all the whole world is talking of Unity, African countries are talking of Unity even the Europeans are talking of unity, do you think such unity is achievable? Off course no. Africa continent will never be one country, but yet they talk of it.
Do not be too savage to that extend brother. Nobody can force south Sudan into unity again and if there is such idea in the future, it is the Southerners who will vote again to accept or reject it.

Kontibon

Lagu Recommends to Consider Unity in the Future

January 20, 2011
Dear all,

First of all, I am not sure I understand whom Mr. Lagu represents in the conference call. Ethically, he should have discussed such a matter in the office of the president of GoSS. Even though his criticism is constructive, its ethical process diffuses it. From my understanding, an advisor should be testifying on behalf of the government in issues or areas of their expertise. The article bellow does not sound like a testimony.

On the matter of whether we should leave the door open for unity, I definitely decline to that. We had left the door open for decades and “The Unity Made Attractive” was the last in process. Perhaps Mr. Lagu still endeavors the Addis Ababa Agreement, or at list has a different prospective on the issue of secession. On the other hand, the two Germans are a no match to our situations. They were one nation, one in culture and had the same equality. The only difference was their political prospective. We on the other had, are two different classes, two different nations and two different cultures. There are no mutual benefits. We were forced to live in one country to serve the benefit of the North.
With that in mine, I think Mr. Lagu conference call falls way short in today’s governance and today’s rights of the Southerners.
Click or cut and paste the link bellow:
http://www.sudantribune.com/Southern-Sudan-should-initiate,37691

Southern Sudan should initiate term limits, says presidential aide
Article Comments (26) Email PrintSave

By Julius N. Uma

January 19, 2010 (JUBA) - The southern government should initiate term limits to effectively determine the duration of officers serving in public interest, Joseph Lagu, a senior presidential adviser has advised.

Joseph Lagu, the presidential aide on public affairs addressing the media during a dinner in Juba. January 15, 2010 (Photo: Matata Safi) Lagu, who formerly served as Sudan’s first vice-president, told a media briefing in Juba, the regional state capital, that it is the tendency of leaders clinging on to power for so, which caused lots of instabilities in the country.

“Let’s not follow the steps taken by the successive northern regimes. There are advantages that usually come with political power, but the problem is that those in charge are tempted to hang on for so long. We need to have term limits,” Lagu, a presidential aide on public affairs said.

Flanked by Barnaba Benjamin Marial, the Information and Broadcasting minister, Lagu further talked at length about the practice of tribalism and discrimination, saying the future of the Southern Sudan will be brighter, if the politics of regional imbalances are discouraged.

He said, “We need to fight tribalism by selecting leaders on the basis of good leadership based on democratic principles. Let us not repeat the mistakes made by previous regimes.”

Lagu, a former Anyanya leader in the first north-south war, also castigated the past colonial British administration for the major problems inherited by the county in 1956.

The senior advisor to South Sudan president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, said much as the semi-autonomous region is set to become a separate entity, an open door approach should be adopted, incase future options for a united Sudan become feasible.

“My advice at the moment is that lets us leave the door open for the possible re-union of the Sudan. When they [northern Sudanese] come to their senses and remove some of the factors that caused the split within the country, then we could think of a re-union as one,” Lagu said.

He cited East and West Germany, which was separated before it was reunified in 1989.

The semi-autonomous region of south Sudan successfully concluded its self-determination referendum on January 15, which was a key prerequisite of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The accord ended over two decades of a bloody civil war fought between north and south of the country.

Preliminary reports, however, indicate that the nearly 4 million registered voters overwhelmingly chose separation instead of a united Sudan, an indication that Africa’s 54th nation could soon be created.

USA results: 98.9 % for Secession and 0.8% for Unity

January 18, 2011.

The cumulative for all eight centers is 98.9 % for Secession and 0.8% for Unity.

I bet majority of people who voted for unity are either half Northerners or religiously/culturally connected to the North. Of cause very few would still look at the matter from their prospectives. After all, we as people of South Sudan have illustrated to our government that we stand behind them and that we are part of what they do. We have done our part in a glorious victory. Let us hope that peace continues until the country is transformed in July. Nevertheless, I would also like to recognize the hard work of our government on the issue of Abyie just as in the other important matters, and that they'll tirelessly continue to pursue the matter.
May God bless South Sudan

Giir

Southern Sudan Referendum Polling Results, USA

Date: January 18th 2011

Message from the GoSS, USA
Re: Southern Sudan Referendum Polling Results, USA

Dear Sudanese and Friends of Sudan,

We, the Government of Southern Sudan Mission to the United States and United Nations, would like to express our appreciation to the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) for their support in conducting a successful, free, fair, transparent and credible South Sudan Referendum in accordance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In addition, we extend our gratitude to the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau, the United Nations Integrated Referendum and Electoral Division (UNIRED), and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) for fulfilling their obligations accordingly.

The Southern Sudan Referendum could mark the beginning of a new era in Africa. The people of Southern Sudan have waited patiently and tirelessly through difficult circumstances for this promised opportunity to determine the future of the region – whether to become a separate country or remain united with the North.

On January 9, 2011, the first day of the Referendum Southern Sudanese lined up at polling centers across Sudan and in host countries to cast their historic ballots. Over the following seven days, millions of Southern Sudanese turned out to vote. Voters travelled long distances and in some cases through floods and heavy snowfalls. They endured standing in long lines for hours despite very hot weather or freezing temperatures. Southern Sudanese came in buses, vans, cars and by bicycle and on foot. In the United States, the high emotions of both sorrow and joy brought many of us to tears as we observed the polling process. What an incredible moment for the people of Southern Sudan to collectively decide their destiny.

We sincerely regret that Abyei was not able to participate in its own referendum on January 9th as provided by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We stand in solidarity with the people of Abyei and pledge to work tirelessly to uphold their rights. We look forward to the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement including Popular Consultation in South Kordofan and the Blue Nile State. In addition, we pray for peace throughout all Sudan, especially in Darfur.

As we prepare to celebrate the results of the Southern Sudan Referendum, we urge the people of Southern Sudan to maintain peace and unity. We have suffered and sacrificed so much to reach this historic occasion. Let us respect one another and recognize that we all have contributed in different ways to the implementation of the CPA, especially when we chose to and continue to choose to live our daily lives in peace with one another. As people from different ethnicity/ tribes and regions within Southern Sudan, let us hold hands as a symbol of strength as we tackle the next challenges that await our emerging country.

If the result of the Referendum is separation, Southern Sudan will be a new country blessed with vast resources, tremendous opportunities and exciting challenges. We now appeal to the Diaspora to return home and assist with development of the country. The skills and experiences you have cultivated outside of Southern Sudan are needed desperately to help build the capacity of those at home; to jumpstart the economy through private investment; and to provide crucial services such as healthcare, education, clean water and sanitation. We all know the satisfaction of living in a home we have built for ourselves, so let us experience the tremendous joy of coming together and building our own country!

In the United States, we are pleased to announce the results of the Referendum for each of the eight (8) polling centers: The cumulative for all eight centers is 98.9 % for Secession and 0.8% for Unity. There are seven (7) invalid and about twenty-nine (29) spoiled ballots, which is a strong indication that the Southern Sudan Referendum civil awareness was delivered appropriately. In addition, the turn out of the nearly 9000 registrants is 96.7% and only 286 did not get a chance to cast their votes. Please note that the Southern Sudanese Community lost three registered potential voters after the exhibition, objection and appeals period. The remaining 283 did not get a chance to make it to their respective registration centers due to various reasons, such as family emergencies, illness, work, misplacing a registration card and extra.

We sincerely thank the people of Southern Sudan for honoring our ancestors’ legacy by participating in the Referendum. Future generations will remember the sacrifices you made to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for Southern Sudan. We look forward to working with you in the weeks and months ahead. We are here to serve, so please do not hesitate to contact us by calling (202) 393-7940 or emailing aaoswaha@gossmission.org / oswaha@gmail.com. To learn more about Southern Sudan, please visit www.goss.org. Happy 2011 and many days to come!

Best regards,

Agnes Oswaha
Cultural, Community and Consular Affairs Officer, GOSS Mission-USA and UN
1233 20th Street, N.W Suite 602
Washington DC 20036
www.gossmission.org

Nyakan John Gile
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
GOSS Mission to the United States & the United Nations
P: 202.293.7940│f: 202.293.7941 | C: 703.867.0264
e-mail: njgile@gossmission.org
visit us @www.gossmision.org

Hilarious Nightly Show on South Sudan Referendum

January 14/2011
If you missed to see the Daily Show on 1/12/2011, here is the hilarious and informative video clip that you aught to see. In Daily Show style, Jon Stewart mastered the political topography of the new country of South Sudan. If you've seen the Ocean 11, 12, and 13 "Movies" you will even laugh out more.

Click or cut and paste the link bellow:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-january-12-2011/inde-sudan-2011

South Sudan, not only that it is buried in the world's # 1 oil, but also has an extraordinary potential food "soil" enough for the entire region "East Africa" and could be one of the World's food supplier, water enough for North Sudan and Egypt , World's # 1 forest/wood, World's # 1 wild life, natural resources, gold and minerals. I am proude to be South Sudanese.

Giir Biar

36 Died Since Fri in Abyei and Khartoum Says South Will Remain Uncivilized

January 10. 2011

8 Dead in a battle between Dinka and Masseria in Abyei, 6 in the Unity State in first day of the election in South Sudan. Another 6 died this morning in Abyie to bring the total to 36 since Friday.

On the other hand, Khartoum says; South Sudan will remain uncivilized just as English proclaimed before and that's what signifies them from the rest of the African countries. What a primitive and an irrational statement by El Mahadi of the NCP. He still carry a 19th century token of the Northern Oppressors.? It is 21st century for God sake. Nations learn fundamentals of civilization in the course of time. Every country has been uncivilized once or more than once in case of Somalia in now days, but that is not the case in the South nor should such a statement be expected from an educated and an allied individuals. It is baseless and El Mahadi and the NCP should apologize for this use of intentionally distorting the real emeges of the South Sudan.



Please cut and paste the video link bellow:

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/01/10/132852.html



Giir Biar

One Spirit Souuth Sudan


Jan 4, 2011, I am ready for voting!!!
It is amazing how South Sudanese around the World, with one spirit, got ready to vote for secession. I know a person who happened to be in TN in the time of registration and now he is back to his base in Seattle with a presistance of going back to TN to vote. What an excellent spirit South Sudan...
Yesterday in Juba, president of Sudan, Omar Elbashir siad "The benefit we get from unity, we can also get it from two separate states."
Obviously we are going black, and when you go black you never go back.
Giir Biar