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.
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
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
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
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
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
Is the Registration Necessary?
Dear all,
I am really wondering how registering to vote while outside of Sudan which lifts up the total percentage of the Southerners while there are no guarantees of actually going to Sudan help voting for secession?
We know that voting for secession will require 60% to be succeeded. If we lift up the total percentage by registering and we don't go, those registrations/votes will be counted lose. For example, if people of the South are 10 million, then the required 60% to win the secession will be 6 million. But if we "people from outside" lift up the total of the Southerners to make them "for example" 15 millions, then the required 60% to win the secession will be 9 millions. If those who registered did go to Sudan to vote, "let us say 3 millions did not go and only 2 millions went", then the calculation will be very hard for the South to get 9 millions out of only 12 millions. Because the total of Southerners in the South will be 10+2 millions.
On the other hand, if we do not register and keep the total of Southerners be only 10 millions "estimated number" then we keep the required number to win the secession only 6 millions. If those who are able to go have actually made it to Sudan, then their number will be still added to vote and we may easily bit the required 6 millions out of 12 millions.
Unless there are somethings I did not know, registering is not good for us.
Giir
I am really wondering how registering to vote while outside of Sudan which lifts up the total percentage of the Southerners while there are no guarantees of actually going to Sudan help voting for secession?
We know that voting for secession will require 60% to be succeeded. If we lift up the total percentage by registering and we don't go, those registrations/votes will be counted lose. For example, if people of the South are 10 million, then the required 60% to win the secession will be 6 million. But if we "people from outside" lift up the total of the Southerners to make them "for example" 15 millions, then the required 60% to win the secession will be 9 millions. If those who registered did go to Sudan to vote, "let us say 3 millions did not go and only 2 millions went", then the calculation will be very hard for the South to get 9 millions out of only 12 millions. Because the total of Southerners in the South will be 10+2 millions.
On the other hand, if we do not register and keep the total of Southerners be only 10 millions "estimated number" then we keep the required number to win the secession only 6 millions. If those who are able to go have actually made it to Sudan, then their number will be still added to vote and we may easily bit the required 6 millions out of 12 millions.
Unless there are somethings I did not know, registering is not good for us.
Giir
Plan "B" Abyei Referendum
Dear all,
Based on the article bellow, I want to propose an internal Southern (SPLM) "Plan B" for Abyei situation
The postponement may be a good idea to secure and block more coming of Masseria to Abyei and use the time to actually redeploy/relocate more of Southern IDPs in Abyei area. There are natural, economical, social, health and political situations that can be use as reasons why we should relocate some tribes and IDPs in Abyei. Once we add more 100s of thousands into Abyei, we'd actually secured three major front of battling Abyei out of the North.
1- We can compete in fare elections if Masseria continued their occupancy.
2- We can indirectly promote more of the World's Society's attention to why they should increase their peace keeping efforts and find ways of solution.
3- Indirectly increase possibilities of Southern armed civilians in the area.
That is my humble opinion..
Giir Biar
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201011010928.html
Postponement of Abyei Referendum is Undesirable But May Be Unavoidable' - RVI
Juba — A report by a respected research organisation says that January's referendum in Sudan's oil-rich border region of Abyei may have to be postponed until April due to severe delays to preparations.
Abyei's referendum will determine whether the region remains as part of the north or joins what could be a newly-independent south. As part of a 2005 peace deal that ended 22 years of civil war the south is due to hold a simultaneous self determination vote.
With less than 70 days to go until voting is due to begin the Rift Valley Institute (RVI) report concludes that 'brinkmanship, delay and broken agreements - old traditions of Sudanese politics - threaten to turn the political and technical challenges of the referenda into a national disaster.'
Last week the head of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission conducting the referendum process during the remaining short period will be a complete miracle.
The parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) Sudan's ruling National Congress Party and the former southern rebels the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) have failed to implement the majority of the deal on time.
Senior NCP politicians have suggested that Abyei's vote be delayed in order to resolve north-south boundary demarcation, the appointment of members of the referendum commission, the question of voter eligibility and residency and issues of public security.
For these reasons 'postponement of the Abyei referendum is undesirable but may be unavoidable' the report said.
If the members of the commission to run the vote (who were due to be named in January this year) are not named within the next two weeks 'it will not be practicable to hold the Abyei referendum on time' the report says.
Talks to resolve the Abyei issue have remain deadlocked.
The NCP has insisted that the Misseriya tribe, who enter Abyei with their cattle for a few months each year be given full voting rights. But the SPLM have refused, saying only permanent residents - the vast majority of whom are Dinka Ngok a tribe alligned with the south - are able to vote.
Consequently no timetable for voter registration in Abyei has been agreed.
As things stand the report says that Abyei's poll is so far behind schedule that the legal requirements of the poll may not be met.
The report's author Aly Verjee argues that the best way to avoid the Abyei and southern referenda becoming a 'national disaster' triggering a third north-south civil war is a 'political fix' in the form a new deal or 'Comprehensive Peace Agreement II'.
As well outstanding issues regarding the process of the referenda, any new deal should also agree on post-referenda issues, such as citizenship and sharing of oil revenues from the south's oil fields.
The new deal should see both sides 'recommit' to the referendum process and restate that they will the result but also agree on a 'possible date for a postponed Abyei referendum'.
Despite suggestion that the Abyei referendum may have to be postponed by around three months the delaying of the southern vote would not solve any of the existing problems, the report says.
"Even with an agreement between the parties to modify the provisions of the referenda laws, there is barely time for registration: for procedural decisions to be taken and acted on and for registration itself to take place. All these stages could also be subject to dispute between the parties," it says.
International Recognition
The SPLM, who have governed the south since the CPA in 2005, have suggested that the south could hold it's own referendum independently of the NCP in the event that the two sides are unable to reach agreement on key issues, which may prevent the referenda going ahead on time.
But the RVI report rejects the idea arguing that any process that does not involve the full participation of Sudan's ruling party would render the exercise entirely meaningless.
A unilateral referendum, would not only contravene some articles of the CPA, the report says, the other consequence is that 'under these conditions would be unlikely to gain full international recognition or promote national consensus.'
April' Elections
Meanwhile for the referenda to have credulity, the report notes, they will have to held to a higher standard than this year's April elections.
Describing the referenda as "unique and unrepeatable events," the report urges the referenda commission to establish a higher standard than that achieved by the electoral commission in the 2010 elections, through adequate staff training and effective administration.
RVI is a non-profit research and training organisation operating in Sudan, the Horn of Africa, East Africa and the Great Lakes, with projects designed to inform aid interventions, support local research capacity, record indigenous culture and promote human rights
Argument on Nubia & Nuba, with Dr. Kuel Jok
Kuel,
Just a refresher –I did not get Ting’s email and I was going to respond to him regardless of what had transpired between us in private emails. Secondly, the content of what I’d posted was inflicted by the shortcomings of our conversations. You have attempted to apologize in our private emails, but did not actually apologize. You said you accidently generalized people’s stuff but you were referring to someone else’s in your previous exchanges. The truth is; you just wanted to play it smart. You see Kuel, a man should be embrace in public when they are humble and full of integrity. You don’t expect to take people’s rights and expect nothing in defense. What I meant by that is: you are not convinced that what I am saying is legit let alone the facts that my point is the truth that you have to atlist respect. The only way to do so is to come back and prove my point.
I will try to sum up most of your questions in one big answer: "I am not trying to compete with you nor did I despise your specialties. I respect and believe in your credentials" I could make researches to answer you, but since I believed that they are irrelevant, I will just answer them by the word “Irrelevant” With that big picture in mind, I hope I may eliminate some of the questions such as question number 3 and any other similar ones. I thought I would answer your letter by inserting my comments in blue which should help us. If we need to further discuss this I am certainly happy to do so. Here is your letter:
“You privately wrote to me yesterday and had privately responded, while the subject-matter was not private in its nature, but you chose to privatise it. Now, you revived what we had sealed in our private emails in a different character that embody insults and derogatory descriptions such as 'lordship' 'arrogance' etc. Please, answer me honestly on the following:
1. Is my definition of your material as 'a trashy stuff' defines you as Giir or defines the stuff?
It is indeed defining the stuff, but I am responsible to prove them not trashy.
2. Do you really know historical Kush Kingdom better than me in this field of speciality? Irrelevant.
3. Tell me, are you an expert in which field? Irrelevant. What is the subject-matter between the historical or mythical Kush? Irrelevant. Do you understand the diference between the calss of mythology and history in this particular context of Kush and what class I am pursuing? Irrelevant. What qualifies you better than me to interpret Dr Garang intention(s) between history and myth in regard to Kush? The better question is what makes you think you are right? It has never been about you and me; it is the truth that lies out there.
When Dr Garang named the SPLA Battalion as 'Kush', under the command of Yusuf Kwua Makki did he elicite that Name from the Bible or from the historical Kush of Nubia?
This is the core of our argument. I would do as much as I can to come out with what I am saying.
First of all, there is difference between the Nuba of Abdel Aziz El Hilu in Jibal El Nuba and the Nubia of Mohammad El Wardi in Northern Sudan. Let me introduce the difference:
Nuba of Jibal El Nuba,
Nuba Mountains was a refuge place for a combination of different tribes around Africa who fled governments and slave traders. As a result, over 100 languages are spoken in the area. After decades, they became the native of the area.
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~ai38/Sudan/nuba.htm
http://bresh22000.blogspot.com/2008/12/history-of-nuba.html
Nubia of Marawe is a tribe that was divided into two groups after the independence of Sudan in 1956. They live in Southern Egypt and some in Northern Sudan. At one point they used to be the Kingdom of Kush for over 5000 years.
http://wysinger.homestead.com/nubians.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubia
The word Nuba represented people of Kush, Ethiopians and any black man at the time. Since every black Egyptians “Kush’ came from the south “Saeiid El Masr”, they called them Nuba. Consequently, in the time of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, black people of Nuba Mountains were named Nuba because they were black people who came from southern areas. They evidently did not come from Kush nor did they know what Kush is. They were not called Nuba, in fact, they did not have a common name. Therefore, the synonymy of their conditions was behind the name Nuba and so of Kush Battalion.
I hope you are not talking about this attraction as the attraction of Garang to the people of Kush to join the movement. Because Nuba of Jibal El Nuba are not Kushiites. If they should be called so, then we “in the South” should be entitle to the name as well.
Dr. Garang’s claim of Kush kingdom was not upon people of Jibal El Nuba, it was on the origin of our ancestors. As he said before, Kush who disappeared descended us all. If you want to dispute how could that be true, then it is a different case.
5. What is the research question I have answered in my email to the national anthem committeee through Mayom Bul? Irrelevant.
6. Is www.coms sources are authentic sources for a research question on the issue of Kush? Coms are like books; some are credentialed and some are not. You would have to use your academicism. For example http://www.ushistory.org/ would be an authentic source and so on.
This is a homework for you. And as I told you in our private email that I would be busy in a memorial occasion of Manut M.Bol on saturday, therefore, I would not be ready to correct your assigment, but possibly on Sunday. Bear in mind, if you deviate from this noble homework, then I would define you off as a person resisting learning and ignore your stuff.
I am glad I was in position to respect your beliefs”
Giir
Just a refresher –I did not get Ting’s email and I was going to respond to him regardless of what had transpired between us in private emails. Secondly, the content of what I’d posted was inflicted by the shortcomings of our conversations. You have attempted to apologize in our private emails, but did not actually apologize. You said you accidently generalized people’s stuff but you were referring to someone else’s in your previous exchanges. The truth is; you just wanted to play it smart. You see Kuel, a man should be embrace in public when they are humble and full of integrity. You don’t expect to take people’s rights and expect nothing in defense. What I meant by that is: you are not convinced that what I am saying is legit let alone the facts that my point is the truth that you have to atlist respect. The only way to do so is to come back and prove my point.
I will try to sum up most of your questions in one big answer: "I am not trying to compete with you nor did I despise your specialties. I respect and believe in your credentials" I could make researches to answer you, but since I believed that they are irrelevant, I will just answer them by the word “Irrelevant” With that big picture in mind, I hope I may eliminate some of the questions such as question number 3 and any other similar ones. I thought I would answer your letter by inserting my comments in blue which should help us. If we need to further discuss this I am certainly happy to do so. Here is your letter:
“You privately wrote to me yesterday and had privately responded, while the subject-matter was not private in its nature, but you chose to privatise it. Now, you revived what we had sealed in our private emails in a different character that embody insults and derogatory descriptions such as 'lordship' 'arrogance' etc. Please, answer me honestly on the following:
1. Is my definition of your material as 'a trashy stuff' defines you as Giir or defines the stuff?
It is indeed defining the stuff, but I am responsible to prove them not trashy.
2. Do you really know historical Kush Kingdom better than me in this field of speciality? Irrelevant.
3. Tell me, are you an expert in which field? Irrelevant. What is the subject-matter between the historical or mythical Kush? Irrelevant. Do you understand the diference between the calss of mythology and history in this particular context of Kush and what class I am pursuing? Irrelevant. What qualifies you better than me to interpret Dr Garang intention(s) between history and myth in regard to Kush? The better question is what makes you think you are right? It has never been about you and me; it is the truth that lies out there.
When Dr Garang named the SPLA Battalion as 'Kush', under the command of Yusuf Kwua Makki did he elicite that Name from the Bible or from the historical Kush of Nubia?
This is the core of our argument. I would do as much as I can to come out with what I am saying.
First of all, there is difference between the Nuba of Abdel Aziz El Hilu in Jibal El Nuba and the Nubia of Mohammad El Wardi in Northern Sudan. Let me introduce the difference:
Nuba of Jibal El Nuba,
Nuba Mountains was a refuge place for a combination of different tribes around Africa who fled governments and slave traders. As a result, over 100 languages are spoken in the area. After decades, they became the native of the area.
http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~ai38/Sudan/nuba.htm
http://bresh22000.blogspot.com/2008/12/history-of-nuba.html
Nubia of Marawe is a tribe that was divided into two groups after the independence of Sudan in 1956. They live in Southern Egypt and some in Northern Sudan. At one point they used to be the Kingdom of Kush for over 5000 years.
http://wysinger.homestead.com/nubians.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubia
The word Nuba represented people of Kush, Ethiopians and any black man at the time. Since every black Egyptians “Kush’ came from the south “Saeiid El Masr”, they called them Nuba. Consequently, in the time of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, black people of Nuba Mountains were named Nuba because they were black people who came from southern areas. They evidently did not come from Kush nor did they know what Kush is. They were not called Nuba, in fact, they did not have a common name. Therefore, the synonymy of their conditions was behind the name Nuba and so of Kush Battalion.
I hope you are not talking about this attraction as the attraction of Garang to the people of Kush to join the movement. Because Nuba of Jibal El Nuba are not Kushiites. If they should be called so, then we “in the South” should be entitle to the name as well.
Dr. Garang’s claim of Kush kingdom was not upon people of Jibal El Nuba, it was on the origin of our ancestors. As he said before, Kush who disappeared descended us all. If you want to dispute how could that be true, then it is a different case.
5. What is the research question I have answered in my email to the national anthem committeee through Mayom Bul? Irrelevant.
6. Is www.coms sources are authentic sources for a research question on the issue of Kush? Coms are like books; some are credentialed and some are not. You would have to use your academicism. For example http://www.ushistory.org/ would be an authentic source and so on.
This is a homework for you. And as I told you in our private email that I would be busy in a memorial occasion of Manut M.Bol on saturday, therefore, I would not be ready to correct your assigment, but possibly on Sunday. Bear in mind, if you deviate from this noble homework, then I would define you off as a person resisting learning and ignore your stuff.
I am glad I was in position to respect your beliefs”
Giir
" A Venting Session" السوداني القرفان
One always ask why is the government of Sudan is only employing or promoting people with lack of integrity, people who are rejected by the World's Society? If they are elected in the nearest future, will they bring prosperity to the nation?
Watch this video of a mad Sudanese, on his "venting session" is trying to be heard in a meeting with Dr. Kamil Idris, a former member of International Law Commission in 1992-1996 & 2000-2001, also a Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 1997-2008. He was also head of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Kamil Idris stepped down a year early from its post of head of WIPO, amidst "allegations of misconduct". According to the International Herald Tribune, Kamil Idris "who used a false birth date for more than two decades accepted a package including an extra year's salary and full pension benefits before he offered to resign over questions about his integrity." Kamil Idris blames the birth date discrepancy on a typographical error. On the other hand, Jessica Stark, spokeswoman for Ohio University, disputed that Kamil's master of Art in Political Science was not true, she told the press that he received instead a Master of Arts in African Studies. In spite of these titles, he failed to observe basic human rights of his countryman.
Nonetheless, the video represents millions of Sudanese who are not heard by any one and yet leaders anticipate their ballots counted. It is only a one minute and 22 seconds. Here is the السوداني القرفان video of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUEiGrYdF8U&feature=player_embedded
Giir Biar
Watch this video of a mad Sudanese, on his "venting session" is trying to be heard in a meeting with Dr. Kamil Idris, a former member of International Law Commission in 1992-1996 & 2000-2001, also a Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 1997-2008. He was also head of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Kamil Idris stepped down a year early from its post of head of WIPO, amidst "allegations of misconduct". According to the International Herald Tribune, Kamil Idris "who used a false birth date for more than two decades accepted a package including an extra year's salary and full pension benefits before he offered to resign over questions about his integrity." Kamil Idris blames the birth date discrepancy on a typographical error. On the other hand, Jessica Stark, spokeswoman for Ohio University, disputed that Kamil's master of Art in Political Science was not true, she told the press that he received instead a Master of Arts in African Studies. In spite of these titles, he failed to observe basic human rights of his countryman.
Nonetheless, the video represents millions of Sudanese who are not heard by any one and yet leaders anticipate their ballots counted. It is only a one minute and 22 seconds. Here is the السوداني القرفان video of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUEiGrYdF8U&feature=player_embedded
Giir Biar
Perdicament of Changes in South Sudan
Good news: New restaurants/hotels in Wau/South as in general.
Bad news: Landmarks are not remodeled.
July 21, 2010
Dear all, look at the attached photos of some of the landmark places in Wau. Cde. Justin Juk Ring, Denmark's Chairperson had stopped in these places in June of 2010. He was surprised that some places did not change at all.
A relative commented on these attachments and said:
"A lot of things are still the same way they were 27 years ago, especially Mojamaa Wau. It looks like time just froze in Wau for the last 20 plus years. I mean it brings back good memories on the one hand, while it is depressing on the other hand ... because obviously nothing has changed (no development) for more than 28 years."
William Akok.
I on the other hand think that it is sad that most places did not change, however, I would want to break it down to reasons of why some places may have not been touched since then. I think people who may have cared about these sport places or any other place that did not change may not have been back to Southern cities. If some of them did, they did not have power at the time to rebuild or build new places. You can see how other places have really advanced. The attached are examples of places that have advanced and places that did not advance. Look at the hotel room with the mahogany bed, restaurants/bars, look at that building; from the look outside, I would rate the building as a 7 stars restaurant/hotel or what ever it is. That tells me that only politicians and business minded individuals are the ones that occupy majority of today's powers of South Sudan. Even if there are few people who may have thought of such places, they may have been overwhelmed by the general trend. The rest of people who are capable of bringing all colors are still here. You are here; You can really spice up and bring about the entire change if you go; If I go; If we all go!!!!!!
Let me conclude that the time has come to an end. This is a very right time to go back if you have proper papers. May be you are the one that South Sudan was missing.
Giir Biar
In Sudan, War Is Around the Corner
"The New York Times" Published in Openion: July 12, 2010
By DAVE EGGERS and JOHN PRENDERGAST
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/13/opinion/13eggers.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Prendergast&st=cse
FOR many good reasons, Americans are doubting our ability as a nation to positively influence events abroad. We’re involved in two conflicts with dubious outcomes and we’ve begun to question whether any step we take, anywhere, will be the right one. But it was not long ago that the United States intervened abroad in a bold way that led to undeniably positive results.
Times Topic: SudanFrom 1983 to 2005, more than two million people died and four million were forced from their homes in southern Sudan during a war between the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Shortly after George W. Bush entered the White House, he decided he would put the full diplomatic leverage of the United States to work in ending this war, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century.
He succeeded. In 2005, the United States helped broker a comprehensive peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the southerners. It was an important moment for international diplomacy and a prime example of what the United States can do when it focuses its influence effectively.
In the clear, simple and eminently enforceable peace agreement, South Sudan was granted three crucial things: robust participation in the central government while ruling the south semi-autonomously; a 50-50 split of all oil revenues (the country’s oil is largely in the south); and the ability, in 2011, to vote to secede via referendum.
The assumption in Sudan is that when the referendum comes, southerners will vote overwhelmingly for secession. Since Sudan became independent in 1956, the people in the south have been marginalized, terrorized and subjected to countless human rights violations under successive regimes in Khartoum, and the possibility of forming a new nation in 2011 is viewed by southerners as a sacred right.
But the referendum is scheduled for January, a mere six months away, and all signs indicate that the Khartoum government will undermine the voting process or not recognize its results. The ruling National Congress Party has stalled on virtually every pertinent part of the peace agreement, and the national and local elections in April — which most international observers agree were stained by fraud — are a foreboding precedent.
If January comes and goes without a referendum, or if the results are manipulated, then fighting will break out. Both sides have been arming themselves since the peace agreement, so this iteration of north-south violence will be far worse than ever before. And if war resumes in the south, the conflict in Darfur, in western Sudan, will surely explode again.
To allow this triumph of international diplomacy to collapse and leave the people of southern Sudan vulnerable is unconscionable. But the questions are stark: what can the United States do to help prevent a war that could cost millions of lives? How can the United States once again influence the behavior of a government willing to commit crimes against humanity to maintain power?
These are certainly the worries of the Obama administration. Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, the administration’s special envoy to Sudan, recently said: “We have no leverage. We really have no pressure.”
But we do have leverage. The peace in Sudan is one the United States “owns.” Developing a more robust package of carrots and sticks — rolled out multilaterally when possible, unilaterally if necessary — would strengthen America’s diplomatic hand, not weaken it.
We propose that the threatened pressures should include placing sanctions on key ruling party officials, blocking debt relief from the International Monetary Fund, supporting International Criminal Court arrest warrants (including the one issued on Monday for Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, for three counts of genocide in Darfur), tightening the United Nations arms embargo and providing further support to the south.
For this diplomatic effort to be effective, real incentives should be on the table as well: If — and only if — true peace comes to Sudan, we could offer conditional, one-year suspensions of the International Criminal Court warrants and normalization of relations between Khartoum and Washington. And experienced American negotiating teams should be deployed immediately to support African Union and United Nations efforts already under way to end the war in Darfur and prevent one between the north and south, just as we did with the 2005 deal.
Bill Clinton often says his greatest regret as president is that he didn’t do more to stop the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. There were signs that trouble was brewing long before the killing started, but when it did begin, Mr. Clinton and the international community did not act decisively.
This is President Obama’s Rwanda moment, and it is unfolding now, in slow motion. It is not too late to prevent the coming war in Sudan, and protect the peace we helped build five short years ago.
Dave Eggers is the author of “What Is the What.” John Prendergast, the co-founder of the Enough Project, is the co-author with Don Cheadle of the forthcoming “The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa’s Worst Human Rights Crimes.”
A version of this op-ed appeared in print on July 13, 2010, on page A25 of the New York edition.
Dignitaries, Friends Say Farewell to NBA's Manute Bol
A funeral was held on Tuesday for former National Basketball Association star Manute Bol at Washington's National Cathedral. The towering shot blocker from southern Sudan was remembered more for his off-the-court humanitarianism than for his on-the court play.
In death as in life, Manute Bol towered above others. His specially made 2.44 meter long casket was covered in a white pall emblazoned with red crosses as it was wheeled into the massive gothic cathedral.
Bol died on June 19 at age 47 from kidney failure brought on by a skin condition attributed to medical care he received while traveling in his native Sudan.
Bol joined the Washington Bullets, now called the Wizards, in 1985. By the time he retired 10 seasons later, Bol had amassed 2,086 blocked shots and 1,599 points - the only NBA player with more blocks than points scored.
Rory Sparrow, the NBA's vice president of Player Development, told mourners that not even Michael Jordan was able to intimidate the smiling Dinka tribesman.
"I remember one time when we were teasing him at one game. I was playing for the [Chicago] Bulls and I was teasing him about what Michael Jordan was going to do to him," he said. "And he just laughed and he said, 'What Michael Jordan? Why should I be afraid of Michael Jordan? I kill lion. He come in, I block his shot.' And sure enough, he blocked his shot. Michael made a couple of dunks, but hey, Manute stood his ground," said Sparrow.
Bol was later traded to Golden State. He later played for Philadelphia and Miami before returning to Washington. His highest NBA salary was $1.5 million dollars per year. While in Washington, he often protested at the Sudanese Embassy to draw attention to his home country's civil war. When he returned to Sudan in 1998, Bol supported a large extended family. He gave more than $3.5 million to a Dinka-led rebel group in Southern Sudan, and later lost his fortune, and was forced to sell his house and possessions. A political dispute left him in virtual exile in his country.
By 2001, Bol was almost destitute. He sometimes appeared in promotional stunts, such as a boxing match against former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry to raise funds for his homeland. He said at the time he did it to save people's lives, not for the money.
Bol was later admitted to the United States as a religious refugee where his rent in Connecticut was paid by a Catholic charity. The former NBA star was nearly killed in a 2003 car accident. But Bol's experiences led him to rededicate himself to helping others, particularly children and the dispossessed in Sudan. His goal was to build 41 schools across the country.
"I can't think of a person that I know of in the world that used their celebrity status for a greater good than what Manute Bol did. He used it for his people, he gave his life for his people," said Brownback.
Manute Bol worked with Sudan Sunrise, which seeks to help bring about reconciliation between Christians, animists and Muslims in Southern Sudan.
Sudan Sunrise founder, Reverend Canon Tom Prichard, says Bol's work to reconcile former enemies lives on.
"Manute's legacy and vision of education and reconciliation, his determination to grow grassroots reconciliation - whether that reconciliation is expressed in a country that divides or holds together, wherever the boundary lines are drawn. Manute stood for grassroots reconciliation," said Prichard.
Manute Bol's family patriarch, Bol Bol Chol, praised his nephew's efforts to bring about reconciliation between Muslims and Christians in Sudan - including Darfurians, who, he said, killed as many as 250 of Bol's relatives.
"This man is not an ordinary man. I believe this man is a messenger like others messengers who were sent into this world - to do something in this world. He has accomplished most of his mission, and so God took him and left the rest of the work to be done by others," said Chol.
Manute Bol's remains will be flown to Sudan where they will be interred near his grandfather in a family cemetery.
SOMEONE ALMOST KILLED ME ON JUNE 19, 2010
As I drove East of I-84, heading to a friend's wedding in Utah, running a little over 75 mph, a suicidal man who was driving West bound decided to cross to drive in the opposite direction, heading towards my car with almost the very same speed. He did not yield at me at all. He appeared determined to take my life and his as well. So, as the two speeds collided, I did not even have a time to digest what was going to happen. I saw him from about hundreds of yards and all of the sudden he was just right in front of me, not yielding at all. With a quick move I swung to the far right and again to the far left to adjust the balance that I had lost. On the right side of the road, there was some sort of a down the hill. I could also have just got dropped like a stone. All happened in a moment, just like a dream. I was shaking and knew that I was given more days to live.
Now, this man may not have seen me before, and would not be able to witness any single wrong doing from me, would not have worries or danger of my presence, yet, I was going to be killed by him; die as an innocent blood. This World has lots of evils, people just against the peace for nonsense or no reason at all. Just arrogance, Just enemies of peace....
Giir
Article About Manute Bol in the NY Times
June 23, 2010
Most Valuable Helper
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Sports stars often make headlines with spectacular misconduct, and they don’t use their celebrity enough to make the world a better place. But every now and then, along comes a star as gifted ethically as athletically — and I’m thinking now of one of the greatest basketball players ever.
Certainly not one of the best shooters, for he averaged only 2.6 points a game. But Manute Bol, at more than 7 feet 6 inches tall, was a moral giant who was unsurpassed in leveraging his fame on behalf of the neediest people on earth.
Bol died on Saturday from a noxious mix of ailments, exacerbated by his insistence on working in Sudan to build schools and forestall a new civil war. Bol’s great dream was to build 41 new schools across Sudan (he admired the first President Bush, hence the No. 41).
It’s a lofty dream, particularly because he is no longer around to speak at fund-raisers. It’s almost as inconceivable as the dream he had when he was an African cattle-herder aspiring to play in the N.B.A. — and this too can be a slam-dunk, posthumously, if his fans help out.
If each admirer chipped in the cost of a ticket to just one game, if each of his former teams agreed to match donations, if a few current and former N.B.A. stars agreed to stand in for Bol at fund-raisers, why then schools would sprout all across Sudan.
The first of Bol’s 41 schools is now approaching completion in his childhood village, said Tom Prichard, executive director of Sudan Sunrise, the charity that Bol used to build his schools. Forty to go.
Bol grew up herding cattle. Twice he ran away in hopes of attending school, but he never got much formal education. He moved to the United States and played in the N.B.A. from 1985 to 1995, setting a rookie record for blocking shots. He was a curiosity, the tallest player in the league when he started.
As Bol began playing before large crowds in America, his homeland exploded in violence. Northern Sudan waged a savage war against the South, costing roughly two million lives. American officials and news organizations mostly looked the other way, but Bol worked passionately to ease the suffering.
One summer, Bol button-holed more than 45 members of Congress, trying to get them to pay attention to the slaughter. He donated most of his basketball wealth to help the people of southern Sudan, and he flew into war zones to highlight their suffering. Sudan bombed camps that he visited, perhaps in an effort to assassinate him.
Some 250 people in his extended family were killed in the war, Bol estimated, many of them by Sudanese soldiers from Darfur. Yet when the Sudanese Army turned on Darfur in 2003, he was one of the southern Sudanese who led the way in protesting the slaughter in Darfur.
Bol envisioned co-ed, multifaith schools in which Christians in southern Sudan studied alongside Muslims from northern Sudan. Darfuri Muslims have been helping to build the first school, in Bol’s hometown of Turalei, a two-and-a-half day drive from the nearest paved road.
Robert McFarlane, a former national security adviser to former President Ronald Reagan, traveled late last year with Bol to Turalei and gushes about what a “giant heart of gold” Bol had. Mr. McFarlane told me: “The people of Turalei almost worshiped Manute for his commitment to make schools available for their kids.”
Critics sometimes derided Bol’s kooky publicity stunts, like participating in a celebrity boxing match or putting on ice skates to become the world’s “tallest hockey player.” Bol shrugged off the scorn because he seemed to care less about his dignity than he did about raising money for schools.
Bol made his American home in Olathe, Kan., and a local paper, The Kansas City Star, made a larger point a few weeks before he died:
“Bol symbolizes an unfortunate side of our sports obsession and how we measure the worth of those who play,” The Star noted. “The best athletes get the love, most times regardless of what they do away from sport. Bol, doing the work of a saint, is largely ignored.”
A new civil war may be brewing today in Sudan: The South is expected to secede early next year in accordance with an international treaty, and many fear that the North will unleash war rather than lose oil wells in the South. President Obama and his administration have been weak and ineffective toward Sudan in ways that make another horrific war there more likely. We can only hope that President Obama and his aides will be bolstered by Bol’s gumption and moral compass.
Bol will never be able to cut the ribbon at the schools he dreamed of. But we can pick up where he left off. In a world with so much athletic narcissism, let’s celebrate a Most Valuable Humanitarian by building schools through his charity, www.SudanSunrise.org.
Editorial Corrections on "Sincere Apology To Bona Malwal"
Dear Reader,
The apology letter "Sincere Apology to Bona Malwal Madut" that is posted on Gurtong on June14, 2010, is not quite in place.The apology tendency shows that I am solely apologizing for the writing and publishing of the "Moral Case against Bona Malwal" which is not the case here. The article "Moral Case against Bona Malwal, Defemation of Dead" was not written by me. Although I did link the facts including interviewing HE Salva Kiir, and made the facts tested until proven wrong, I did not write the article. What was said in its contents was not my idea nor was I consulted. So, my apology was that I did relate the facts on personal level on many cases that included the mentioned article. Otherwise, it is not for me to decide whether to apologize for the article itself.
I did not accuse Dr. Bona of defaming the dead and I definitely did not challenge his moral standard. I have sent a number of corrections to Gurtong editor, and please have the corrections put in place. You can read the corrected copy on my blog http://www.giirbiar.blogspot.com/
On the other hand, let it be clear that I am deffinitly not sympathizing with Uncle Bona's political stances nor supporting his policies. What the apology is about? I have had drastical changes of what a respectful rights could be practiced in the light of our political levels. I remain a pure SPLM home dedicated person and stationed right here.
Please, stay blessed
Giir Biar
The apology letter "Sincere Apology to Bona Malwal Madut" that is posted on Gurtong on June14, 2010, is not quite in place.The apology tendency shows that I am solely apologizing for the writing and publishing of the "Moral Case against Bona Malwal" which is not the case here. The article "Moral Case against Bona Malwal, Defemation of Dead" was not written by me. Although I did link the facts including interviewing HE Salva Kiir, and made the facts tested until proven wrong, I did not write the article. What was said in its contents was not my idea nor was I consulted. So, my apology was that I did relate the facts on personal level on many cases that included the mentioned article. Otherwise, it is not for me to decide whether to apologize for the article itself.
I did not accuse Dr. Bona of defaming the dead and I definitely did not challenge his moral standard. I have sent a number of corrections to Gurtong editor, and please have the corrections put in place. You can read the corrected copy on my blog http://www.giirbiar.blogspot.com/
On the other hand, let it be clear that I am deffinitly not sympathizing with Uncle Bona's political stances nor supporting his policies. What the apology is about? I have had drastical changes of what a respectful rights could be practiced in the light of our political levels. I remain a pure SPLM home dedicated person and stationed right here.
Please, stay blessed
Giir Biar
Women of Our Time
Sudanese mother endures physical and mental energy, just about an extraordinary stamina that is not found anywhere in this century.
I just want to recognize women's role in our history. Their efforts in maintaining and producing families, promoting peace and even producing security in some cases have always been a part of our struggle. As we are working to either liberate the South or to unite in a nature with the North, let us involve women on a very higher standard that was not even seen in the past. The picture above shows how women participated on two fronts during the SPLA war; 1st in keeping the family reproducing and surviving. Secondly in the fight for the land and freedom. This picture should be recognized as a one of the signs of our national strengths. This time I hope the GoSS doubles thier numbers in the decision making positions.
Should you, your woman or sister be a mother soon, may God bless you deeply. May God bless all our women.
Giir Biar
Sincere Apology to Bona Malwal Madut
June 4, 2010
Uncle Bona Malwal and the entire family,
Some years ago, I made a number of public criticisms against Dr. Bona Malwal Madut Ring including linking the facts of attacking him personally under the title, “Moral Case Against Bona Malwal, Defamation of Dead". My approach to issues raised a lot of criticisms against me by our community and I retaliated in kind, thus worsening the situation. I now realise that we were not only a family but also a close friend of his children. Things that had come to my knowledge through trust were not supposed to be used against him. I violated this code. It is not our way; and it is morally wrong. I therefore appeal here publicly at length to Uncle Bona Malwal and the entire family:
First of all, I am sorry it took me this long not only to realize that I have done you wrong, but also to come in public and linked all family issues with the political gains. Secondly, I am not supposed to expect forgiveness because I know there are grudges and even damages. However, I better correct my mistakes than let it heal in a wrong way. I went against you in public and so I am apologizing in public. I am solely moved by my heart pain of the wrong doing and the damages that I may have caused. For those reasons, I am appealing to each and every one that is a member of Malwal Madut's family, including Thiik Agoth that I may have insulted sometimes, to at list consider my heartily adjustments and to believe in my apology.
Although we have our differences of opinion on several political stances, they should be discussed and solved only through reciprocal and respectful channels. Instead, I was cruel enough to use my personal link for political advantages. In addition, I knew how good you "as in the entire family" tried to be; in every possible way you have tried to be. You kept quiet and did nothing towards the raging war. Unfortunately, I was blinded enough to not interpret anything towards self respect, peace and even family. You see, there are things that I am not proud of, lots of things, sometimes I don't want to forgive myself either. But, if it was not of the mercy of our loving God, I would have still be indulging in my darkness of not forgiving myself. But I have, and I hope you will, too.
The truth is; I had lived with Nyanute and Akuie like a brother for years but more importantly, I had admired you since my childhood until the end of 1990s when I was already in 30s. Therefore, I consider myself to really have a collective heavy weight of history that became part of my life and I hope we won’t have to forsake it. Someone of your weight may not care, but as I have realized the differences and the respect of our traditions, I am constantly guilty.
Once again, for give me.
I wish you a prosperous life and have wonderful time with your families.
Sincerely,
Giir Biar
Uncle Bona Malwal and the entire family,
Some years ago, I made a number of public criticisms against Dr. Bona Malwal Madut Ring including linking the facts of attacking him personally under the title, “Moral Case Against Bona Malwal, Defamation of Dead". My approach to issues raised a lot of criticisms against me by our community and I retaliated in kind, thus worsening the situation. I now realise that we were not only a family but also a close friend of his children. Things that had come to my knowledge through trust were not supposed to be used against him. I violated this code. It is not our way; and it is morally wrong. I therefore appeal here publicly at length to Uncle Bona Malwal and the entire family:
First of all, I am sorry it took me this long not only to realize that I have done you wrong, but also to come in public and linked all family issues with the political gains. Secondly, I am not supposed to expect forgiveness because I know there are grudges and even damages. However, I better correct my mistakes than let it heal in a wrong way. I went against you in public and so I am apologizing in public. I am solely moved by my heart pain of the wrong doing and the damages that I may have caused. For those reasons, I am appealing to each and every one that is a member of Malwal Madut's family, including Thiik Agoth that I may have insulted sometimes, to at list consider my heartily adjustments and to believe in my apology.
Although we have our differences of opinion on several political stances, they should be discussed and solved only through reciprocal and respectful channels. Instead, I was cruel enough to use my personal link for political advantages. In addition, I knew how good you "as in the entire family" tried to be; in every possible way you have tried to be. You kept quiet and did nothing towards the raging war. Unfortunately, I was blinded enough to not interpret anything towards self respect, peace and even family. You see, there are things that I am not proud of, lots of things, sometimes I don't want to forgive myself either. But, if it was not of the mercy of our loving God, I would have still be indulging in my darkness of not forgiving myself. But I have, and I hope you will, too.
The truth is; I had lived with Nyanute and Akuie like a brother for years but more importantly, I had admired you since my childhood until the end of 1990s when I was already in 30s. Therefore, I consider myself to really have a collective heavy weight of history that became part of my life and I hope we won’t have to forsake it. Someone of your weight may not care, but as I have realized the differences and the respect of our traditions, I am constantly guilty.
Once again, for give me.
I wish you a prosperous life and have wonderful time with your families.
Sincerely,
Giir Biar
Petition of Worship Freedom in Musilm's World
I am attaching a petition of a new ministry called Set My People Free. Please sign it and share it with others to sign it. There is more information on website. We really need to raise the awareness of the situation of our converted Muslim brothers and sisters, pray and support their cause to have freedom to convert and worship.
Bellow is a link to the Signatures on the SMPFTWM-Freedom to Worship Petition to the World's Governments and the Global Leaders. Please cut and paste.
www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?2010smpf-Cached
Also, watch a very grim picture of a beheaded Somalis who converted to Christianity. Bellow is the link, then click the video to play the 6 minutes savage act of killing.
http://somalisforjesus.blogspot.com/2009/01/mansur-mohamed-sfj-martyr-of-year-2009.html
Bellow is a link to the Signatures on the SMPFTWM-Freedom to Worship Petition to the World's Governments and the Global Leaders. Please cut and paste.
www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?2010smpf-Cached
Also, watch a very grim picture of a beheaded Somalis who converted to Christianity. Bellow is the link, then click the video to play the 6 minutes savage act of killing.
http://somalisforjesus.blogspot.com/2009/01/mansur-mohamed-sfj-martyr-of-year-2009.html
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