An open letter to East African Community Heads of State and governments.

By Biem Arop Luba,

Dear Presidents,

April 05, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — I’m writing this humble letter to your excellencies concerning unfolding situations in my country South Sudan. Sirs/Madams, as you may be aware in details about what befell your sisterly country of South Sudan concerning recent random killing of unarmed civilians on highways across the country including your fellow citizens who were looking for their fortunes in South Sudan. 

I would like to register my heartfelt condolences to the grieved families who lost their loved ones to these barbaric attacks. I would also like to apologize on behalf of South Sudan to my people of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia and Burundi for the senseless killings of their nationals in a recent string of attacks.

These victims came to South Sudan to supply our people with life saving commodities despite the fact that our security situation remained volatile, they risked their lives to save our people.

Your excellencies,

I know that the losses are huge and can’t be measured materially. I know your innocent people have become a prime target of the would – be terrorists organizations or non State actors within the borders of South Sudan. 

Mr/Mrs President, 

What is happening in South Sudan are not isolated cases rather they are symptoms of what are facing the region like in Eastern DRC and beyond. The recent merciless killing of unarmed civilians including foreigners using new means of killing like burning, cutting off parts of body and killing of children and women resembled the crimes committed by LRA in 1990s and 2000s before it was dislodged from South Sudan, Northern Uganda and Eastern DRC by a joint force.

Sir/Madam,

Without boring you with more narrations of situations, I’m aware you are well informed more than me as we all know that our welfare is your priority as a country and you all contribute to get its independence. My message is brief and short. I and other fellow South Sudanese acknowledged how we have disappointed you and your people who are being targeted without being part of our situation. 

With this in mind, I know that your governments and people are frustrated to maximum in our affairs and I fear you may leave the hands of South Sudan to struggle alone since we have proven beyond reasonable doubt that we are lacking principles as a nation and people.  What is happening in South Sudan are clear terrorist acts that need collective responsibility like what was done to LRA and Alshaabab in Somalia. 

Without denying the right of conventional rebellions where armed movements used violence means to achieve political gains or get problems solved; what is unfolding in South Sudan are beyond these rights. 

These armed groups target only civilians targets and not military targets as the case may be. The protection of civilians is a responsibility of all parties including armed movements if they fall in their area of control.

I therefore, called on you East African leaders to stand with South Sudan though your beloved citizens are rampantly killed for no reason in South Sudan.

 Now the prices of every commodity increase on an hourly basis in Juba since two days of partial closure of the border. This partial closure is a clear indication that you are frustrated and likely to leave our hands.

I may not be aware of underground diplomatic arrangements between you and South Sudan but your frustration is eminent sir/madam.

I called on your excellencies to be part of solutions to the South Sudan problem instead of boycotting and leaving us while we don’t have more sources of help other than you.

Biem Arop Luba is a concerned citizen of South Sudan. He can be reached via following contacts through emails at biemluba@gmail.com or biemluba@outlook.com.

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