March 6, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — Eight members of Collo [Shilluck] Community, under the banner of “Collo Group for Peace and Reconciliation”, have denounced revolution and call for peace and reconciliation.
The defecting eight members of SPLM/SPLA [IO] are led by Gwado J. Ador, who joined the armed opposition in March 2014 to air the grievances of his Collo Community.
Mr. Gwado, as he narrated in his earlier reports, believed that Nyarumi Ogat Awin prophesied “Dr. Riek Machar as the right person to lead now in South Sudan” and calls for the unity of Collo People to rally support behind Dr. Machar in his quest for peace and stability of the country, a stand that Gwado lately re-evaluated.
“After one year from joining the movement, we felt the necessity to evaluate our stand, whether we were moving on the right direction or not?” said Gwado J. Ador, the leader of “Collo Group for Peace and Reconciliation”.
Among the eight defectors, two members are brothers to former Secretary General, Pagan Amum Okiech, who joined the SPLM-IO after Pagan and other senior politicians were kidnapped in Juba by Kiir’s presidential guards and militia at the onset of the conflict between December 16 -18, 2013.
The Amum family dominated 8-membered Collo sect is now responding to an amnestied decree issued by Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit a few days ago in Juba, South Sudan.
“In Collo land, everyone detest solutions through the barrel of gun; but continuation of this senseless war which was developing in earnest prompts us to respond to the calls of the amnesty which was decreed recently by Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit the President of the Republic of South Sudan.” Gwado J. Ador told Nyamilepedia.
According to the team leader, Gwado J. Ador, who recently criticized the SPLM-IO faction for lack of recognition and employment, this defection is done “purely in the interest of Collo Community”; however, the group demands that their community must be compensated “to let life return to normal.”
“we demand for their reparation through the mechanism of compensation to let life return to normal.” Gwado speaks to unidentified South Sudan leaders.
“Also, we express intention to work side by side with the government to help in the process of binding wounds among various communities at home.” Gwado continues.
The re-defecting Collo Group further demands demarcations of borders, however, this time not between the two Sudans but between counties within the newly independent South Sudan.
“We demand for a speedy implementation of boarder demarcation between counties, which was the source of recurrent conflict within various areas in South Sudan.” Collo Group demands.
The eight-member group elevated George Amum Okiech as the deputy team leader and recognizes Kowper Amum Okiech as an active team member. Other members in the group, who are believed to be relatives and friends of former SPLM Secretary General, Pagan Amum Okiech and his Collo fellow, Gen. Wiyai Deng Ajak, the former Chief of General Staff include:
- Paul Luigi Ajak,
- Suzan Ahamed Osman,
- James Arop,
- Elia Peter Gwang, and;
- Okuch Laa
Many family members, supporters and friends of former political detainees, directly or indirectly supported the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar at the beginning of the conflict to demand the release of detained politicians and to further the call for reforms in the country; however, many individuals were left undecided when the FPDs took a “neutral” position in the conflict.
Although it is yet to be confirmed, various political analysts reiterate that the re-defection of Amum brothers to Juba is a Roadmap for the former political detainees, particularly Pagan, to return to Juba if the warring parties fail to reach an agreement in Ethiopia.
Despite the defection of 8 members, other influential senior politicians from Collo Community that include, but not limited to, Professor Peter Adwok Nyaba, Banguot Amum Okiech and Military Governor Tijwok Hadir Agwet remain loyal to SPLM/SPLA in Opposition.
Profile: Gwado J. Ador ,The Leader of Collo Groups
Before defecting to SPLM/SPLA [IO], Gwado J. Ador served in Salva Kiir government as a Director for Training for South Sudan Television. He also served as Research Director in the Ministry fo Information and Broadcasting, however, he lost the two jobs before the conflict broke out in December, 2013.
While joining the opposition in March, Gwado and Rev.Tijwok blamed Salva Kiir for instigating the conflict in the country to stay in power.
“Kiir started the war and invited foreign troops to support him. Uganda is striving to keep Kiir in power, but not to save the people,” the two leaders said in a press conference in Ethiopia, 18 March, 2014..
“We are fighting against mercenaries,” the two men asserted.
“His [Kiir’s] main interest is to stay in power for many years in South Sudan, like Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni.”Gwado decried.
Gwado joined the SPLM/SPLA in Opposition as a Chairman of hoped rebel group that was to be formed and called “Collo Resistance Front(CRF)”.
As he explained in March 2014, the CRF rebel group was expected to collude with SPLA[IO] to fight for a regime change in the country, mostly in Upper Nile state, however, the rebel group remained mostly on paper, as he told Nyamilepedia two days ago.
“The Collo Resistance Front (CRF)” a name that was tactfully devised for the purpose of attracting hesitant support within the Collo circles had been viewed by the leadership of the opposition with suspicious eyes. Thus CRF was ordered to demobilize its forces and cease function” Gwado explains
Despite the claimed demobilization of CRF, Gwado continued to rally behind Dr. Riek Machar’s leadership for the sake of his people. Gwado explained in his series of articles that the chances of his people winning back their alienated land in Pigo and Malakal was greater under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar than under the ” fascist and dictatorial regime of Salva Kiir”.
“The Pigo was arbitrarily given away by President Kiir to resolve Jieng Klan dispute at the expense of Collo land rights in the area. There is groundswell of discontent among Collo youth sufficient enough to spark arm struggle in the area. However, chances to win back the lost land is greater under Dr. Riek’s vision for peaceful coexistence, than under President Kiir current fascist and dictatorial regime. The choice is ours and that Collo must not betray the wisdom bestowed upon us by our ancestors” Gwado explains
“Malakal became an area for outright plunder, and a free zone to claim by ‘Jieng Apadang’ with consent and encouragement of Presidential Palace (J1) in Juba.” Gwado protests.
“President Kiir decided to give away Collo land (Pigo and Korfulus) to Dinka Thoi and Paweng with out any shame or even resistant from Collo politicians in the contemporary South Sudan.” Gwado continued.
After Dr. Riek Machar proposed the 21 states federal system, in which Pachodo is a state, Gwado was hopeful that the plight of his Collo people has been resolved. Gwado narrates that “many have received the plan with great joy particularly the Collo People”
“The decision taken by C-in-C and Chairman of SPLM/A-IO Dr. Riek Machar to divide South Sudan into Twenty One (21) Federal States represents a Paradigm shift which attracted overwhelming support by over majority of the people of South Sudan, many have received the plan with great joy particularly the Collo People who saw an end to this unnecessary wrangling over obvious constitutional issues.” said the elevated Gwado in celebration of 21 states systems.
Gwado, who strongly believes in Nyarumi Ogat Awin like a Lou-Nuer believes in Ngundeng Bong, Riek Machar is the right choice of South Sudanese people as Nyarumi prophesied.
“according to Nyarumi Ogat Awin who resides as a displaced person at White Nile in Sudan. Nyarumi said; Dr. Riek Machar is the right person to lead now in South Sudan; simply because he is fair and knows facts surrounding land boundaries 1956.” Gwado narrates.
Gwado further reiterates that federalism as Dr. Machar proposed was prophesied by Nyarumi as the only remedy for all problems facing South Sudan.
“She added that Federal system as suggested by Dr. Machar is the only remedy for all sickness befalling the people of one aim and past misfortune. Nyarumi concluded saying Collo should unite and rally support behind Dr. Riek Machar in his quest for peace and stability in the country.” Gwado explains.
It is yet to be clarifies if the Collo group will continue the fight for federalism, Pachodo state and the alienated land of Collo People once they arrived in Juba. Stay tune for more!
Related Reports:
- Collo Community Deserves an Apology to tip balance for Peace in South Sudan, March 4, 2015.
- The Scathing Search for Unity of Collo Drums Support for Federal System, Sept 13, 2014.
- Collo Community Elects Cde, Tigwok Hadir Agwet as Governor of Pachoda State
- Collo Resistant Front Supports 21 States Proposed By Dr. Riek Machar
- Two S. Sudan gov’t officials defect to rebels
8 comments
Shilluk Job Seekers,
You accused the SPLA-IO for luck of employment. There never a job in rebellion. If your defection to the rebels was to get employment, then sorry? Just go back eat your vomits again like female dog for the sake of money. Other Collo like Dr. Adwok Nyaba and other Collo will continue work with the Dr. Machar until the government is fully restructured.
Sorry for confused Shilluk community who are doing what they don’t know. Why don’t you see how the wind is blowing, otherwise you going to face the toughest life among the people of South Sudan. Your father Pagan is misleading you and taking you nowhere
let the coward shilluk go they’ll regret if we r successful in our movement. nothing will divide united Nuer opposition fighters, together we stand together we fall white army forever
U r welcome back after you study Riek mind, I was asking why people flows this mad man always,
The Collo are right and they have vision rather the Doomed Rebelion of fool riek, has Riek ever succeeded in overthrowing Government militarily any way???? how can one tribe rebelion succeed to over throw government of all the 63 tribes, more rebels are coming to rejoin the government then we see who will loose and who will win, Lodu Gore has no support from Equatorians because he is merely fighting for Riek and his Nuer white army. Equatorians will never join to fight this tribalistic rebelion, those disgruntal equatorians politicians who join are mere job seekers, any tyme will make U-turn to the government. they are there to finish Riek’s stolen money from the Government and once is over, they run back, see they are just there without any army because their fellow youths are Civilised and wouldn’t go to fight for the sek of some ones employment, they make analysis of any situations before taking action not like the illiterate white army who are easily decieved to go and die for some one.
you are right be a tribe is not that the more you are you will wine the war nooooooo make good friends we are not happy with the Dinka but RIAK suppose to work with anther tribes not only his NUER where are going now to the right or lift sorry NUER friends keep waiting for the post of KIRI we are going a head with our good life
Mad man sometimes it’s better than looting man.
KIRI is not the only person to stay but time is coming he will go, one issue is where the DINKA will go to, if KIRI LOSE the president post all Dinka must make sure that only way is run to Uganda because KIRI had made them unlike human life in south Sudan