Communique of the Gawaar Global Community on Kitgwang Declaration, Condemnation and Way Forward!

Aug 14, 2021 — The Gawar Global Peace Committee, a body of representatives comprising of Gawaar leaders, intellectuals and elders from the United States , Australia, Canada and Europe met on behalf of the Gawaar Global Community on Saturday, August 7th, 2021 to derive a way forward for the Gawaar community on how to mitigate the Magenis infighting of August 7th, 2021 between the SPLA-IO factions who are loyal to Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/A-IO mainstream on one hand, and 1st. Lt. General Simon Gatwech Dual, the former Chief of General Staff of SPLA-IO and the leader of Kitgwang Declaration of August 3rd, 2021, on the other hand.

The Gawaar Global Peace Committee, chaired by the president of the Gawaar Global Community, Deng Elijah Hon, established that the internal crises will further exacerbate the suffering of the people and must be condemned and contained before it escalates any further.

Findings:

After a lengthy deliberation the Gawaar Global Peace Committee:

1. Unanimously agreed that the Gawaar leaders in Magenis, who are composed mostly of military generals and their forces, are divided behind the two leaders, Dr. Riek Machar and Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual;

2. Noted with grave concern that Gawaar leaders, sons and daughters participated on both sides in recently fighting in Magenis and are likely to maintain such allegiances and shed more blood on both sides in a war that is uncalled for;

3. Understood that Magenis incident could run out of hands if not nursed with maximum care, and such escalation could affect the Gawaar Community not only in northern Uppernile but also in Ayod county, other parts of South Sudan and also abroad;

4. Referenced from recent history that any infighting among the community leaders divides the community along sectional lines and such divisions fit communities among themselves;

5. Took notes of breakdown in communication between the SPLM/A-IO leaders in Juba, Northern Upper Nile and elsewhere in the country;

6. Established that these internal crises are damaging more social fabrics not only among the Gawaar-Nuer people but also among other Nuer tribes and the South Sudanese at large;

7. Concluded that there will be no military solution to the internal crises and therefore strongly calls for peaceful resolutions;

Resolutions and Way Forward;

As a result, the Gawaar Global Peace Committee:

1. Strongly condemns the recent fighting in Magenis and called on both sides to cease all forms of hostilities, both on social media and also at the front lines;

2. Condemns all forms of declarations to either side to avoid incitement that may broaden misunderstandings and intensify the feud;

3. Calls on Nuer elders to advocate for peace and to remain vigilant to prevent inter-tribal conflicts that may escalate to grassroots like in late 1990s and early 2000s;

4. Urges the Nuer elders, religious and community leaders to reconcile the leaders in the two camps to reunite the SPLM/A-IO, communities and South Sudan at large;

5. Discourages use of social media, especially Facebook Live, WhatsApp and Facebook Groups to  incite unnecessary conflict;

6. Reiterates that Gawaar Global Community and Gawaar Community Associations are non-political, none-military and non-religious community based associations whose sole purpose and vision is to unite the community and to work for the community welfare and success; 

 7.  Calls upon all Gawaar Community Associations across the globe not to take side or declare any position on behalf of the community;

8. Agreed not to provide any  financial and/or moral support to warring faction(s) on all sides of the conflict;

9.  Calls upon community associations to dismiss and isolate leaders who are warmongering to fit communities against themselves for personal giants;

10. Commends Gawaar leaders and intellectuals for not taking sides and encourages them to remain seized to defend the community’s best interest as a whole;

11. Appreciates Gawaar leaders and intellectuals who avail their time and resources for the benefit of the community;

12  Calls on Gawaar leaders on both sides to reconcile their differences and speak in voice;

13  Urges members of Gawaar community and all other citizens to preach peace, unity and prosperity;

14  Recommends to other Nuer tribes to reciprocate this statement in parts or in whole;

15   Calls on both sides to seek peaceful resolutions to their differences and reconcile at the earliest possible to avoid further unnecessary bloodshed,

16  Decides to remain seized to these matters.

Signed:

Deng Elijah Hon | President of Gawaar Global Community;

Contact: dengsimon2000 at yahoo dot com.

CC:

1.  Dr. Riek Machar Teny | FVP, Chairman and C-in-C of SPLM/A-IO Mainstream,
2. 1st. Lt. Gen Simon Gatwech Dual | Former COGS, Chairman and C – in -C of Kitgwang Declaration,
3. Nuer Community Associations,
4. Gawaar Community Associations,
5. Youth and Women Organizations,
6. Others.