To: UN Secretary General, the Hon. Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Headquarters
885 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017, USA.
Dear Mr. Secretary General,
Oct 21, 2015(Nyamilepedia) —- We, the Chollo (Shilluk) community in the Diaspora would like to present this petition to you as an appeal to urgently intervene to arrest the catastrophic situation that may befall our country, the Republic of South Sudan, as a result of President Salva Kiir’s recent “Establishment Order Number 36/2015 for the creation of 28 states”. We are profoundly concerned about the Establishment Order because it has adversely affected the territorial boundaries of our kingdom, the Chollo Kingdom. Thus we demand immediate revocation of the Establishment Order. The situation is so grave and deeply disturbing that we urge your immediate attention and action before the situation develops into a catastrophic confrontation and conflict between the affected communities.
Your Excellency, here is our case and recommendations for your consideration:
On Friday the 2nd of October 2015, the President of the Republic of South Sudan surprised the country by issuing an Order establishing 28 States instead of the existing ten. No studies or popular consultations were carried out as to the viability of the new states some of which are quite small counties.
The Order is a flagrant violation of some Articles of the Constitution: 55(3), 59(a), 86(5), and 162(1) among others. It is also a contravention of the “Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan” signed in Addis Ababa and Juba on the 17th and 26th of August. This becomes abundantly clear in reference to the Preamble, Articles 3 and 15 of Chapter I and more importantly Articles 2 and 3 of Chapter VIII.
The Peace Agreement has sufficiently provided that the devolution of power and resources to the sub-national levels of government will be dealt with during the Transitional period which is about to begin in two months’ time. This being the case, why issue the Order now that purports to be doing the same?
The answer is that the President and his Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders see the implementation of the Peace Agreement as obstructing their long well thought out plan to establish a Dinka-controlled state in Upper Nile. The timing is critical so as to create a new reality on the ground in Upper Nile and Unity states, with Governors to be nominated by the armed Opposition, before the commencement of the implementation of the Peace Agreement. In Upper Nile State, Chollo lands that were being claimed by the Dinka east of the Nile are granted to them, and the oil territories in Unity state are carved out into a state which is exclusively Dinka by joining two Dinka counties which do not share a border (unless a Nuer territory that borders both is annexed to the new state), so as to prove Kiir’s theory that oil in South Sudan belongs to the Dinka. This is purely a tribal game. Little wonder that it is only the Dinkas who are celebrating in support of the move.
The consequence of this gerrymandering is that the Chollo Kingdom got divided into two with some Chollo in one state west of the Nile and others in another east of it. The Chollo in the east are to be reduced into a minority in a Dinka state that extends from the border with Sudan in the north to the northern border of the Fangak Nuer in Jonglei state in the south. The Dinkas that formed the northern part of the old Fangak District in Jonglei state are to be annexed to this large state to increase the number of the Dinkas in it to ensure tribal domination of other minorities including Chollo.
Therefore, the Chollo Kingdom has been divided between two states for the first time in its 500 years since its inception. It is also the first time for State and County borders to be breached since the advent of administration in Sudan and South Sudan. The Chollo Kingdom predates the concept of government in South Sudan and Chollo cannot accept any power on earth to tamper with their system for tribal interest. Since President Salva Kiir is bent on creating states composed of single tribes, no tribe or tribal section is more worthy than Chollo nation to get its own state by virtue of its organization, history, economic viability and population size.
It is a well known fact that some Dinkas neighbouring Chollo have been laying baseless claims on Chollo lands east of the Nile since late 1970s up to the time of the issuance of this Order. In the past, the authorities in Juba have ruled in favor of Chollo on the basis of facts on the ground. However, since President Salva Kiir assumed power he has been consistently supporting the Dinka in their greed to grab Chollo land. All Chollo attempts to get the issue resolved through a technical committee to peg the borders on the ground in accordance with the agreed 1/1/1956 borders fell on deaf ears. One petition after another to President Salva Kiir himself and his government were thrown into the wastebasket. We have given a detailed account of these attempts in our petition to the Secretary General of the United Nations dated 19 July, 2010, which is hereby attached for easy reference. By this Order, President Salva Kiir is misusing power in order to impose new borders between Chollo and the Dinka as claimed by the Dinka. This position proves what we have been saying all along that the government of President Salva Kiir was complicit in the insecurity that has been created by the Dinka in Chollo Kingdom since 2005.
This attempt by the government in Juba to give Chollo land to the Dinka threatens instability in the area and is a recipe for conflict and confrontation. Let the Dinka neighbouring Chollo tell the world the moment in history when they were occupying the lands they now claim, and had to be subsequently displaced from it by Chollo. Chollo displacement of Dinka at some distant time in history would be the only plausible reason for the Dinka to claim their lands back. However, there is nothing of the sort. On the contrary, it has been the Chollo sovereign that had provided protection throughout history to Dinka neighbouring the Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, Chollo came to where they are today in the 16th century. The first Dinka to arrive east of the Nile did so in the 18th century (Abilang and Dingjol). The rest came to their present settlements in the 19th century following the Nuer migration to the current Jonglei state. The Ngok Dinka are actually occupying areas vacated by the Anuak on their eastward migration as evidenced by the names Abong, Adong, Gel Achiel, etc. These are well documented historical facts.
There is no doubt that the raison d’etre for the issuance of this Order at this time is to obstruct the implementation of the recently signed Peace Agreement that is likely to stop tribal schemes. It is important to bear this mind.
President Salva Kiir’s objective to grab the lands of Chollo and other tribes in the interest of his tribe the Dinka through abuse of power must be confronted by all. We humbly call for the following steps to be undertaken:
(a)- The Establishment Order issued by President Salva Kiir on 2/10/2015 is to be declared null and void as it violates both the Constitution and the Peace Agreement;
(b)- The guarantors of the Peace Agreement (in the region and internationally) must take a decisive action to prevent President Salva Kiir or anyone else from obstructing the implementation of the Agreement as its unraveling will result in a more destructive war between the tribes marking the end of the new country.
(c)- President Salva Kiir to be held accountable for committing gross violation of the Constitution and throwing the country into a tribal conflict;
(d)- The institution of an independent and impartial international fact-finding committee to investigate the atrocities that took place in Chollo land since 2005;
(e)- On the basis of the findings of the investigation committee above, all the culprits ought to be committed to a transparent international judicial process;
(f)- The issues of devolution of power and resources to sub-national levels must be deferred to be discussed during the Transitional Period as stated in the Peace Agreement;
(g)- A technical committee of surveyors must be formed at the commencement of the Transition so as to demarcate the boundaries of the old districts and provinces comprising the existing counties or states as per the 1/1/1956 boundary. These are the agreed boundaries as per the Comprehensive Peace Agreement 2005 and the GoSS Council of Minsters’ resolutions in its meetings Nos. 01/2009 and 08/2009 in the year 2009. This demarcation must precede discussing the change of states’ borders.
The Chollo nation is a peace-loving people and has never been in conflict with its neighbors throughout the modern history. So far, we have been seeking and still seek amicable settlement of the land dispute affecting our people. However, it appears that some quarters are misreading our peaceful nature to be a sign of weakness. If pushed to the wall as this Order is bent on, the Chollo are more than ready to exercise their right of self-defense under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in order to defend their ancestral land and live with dignity.
Your Excellency, your prompt intervention into this serious security matter is necessary and urgently needed, so as to avert total anarchy South Sudan may descend into if President Salva Kiir’s “Establishment Order Number 36/2015 for the Creation of 28 States” is not revoked.
Yours sincerely,
Signed by Chollo (Shilluk) Community in:
The United Kingdom
- Dr Joseph Kucburo Ajang
- Mr. Peter Fashoda Ageng
- Mr. Gabriel Gwang Ajang
- Mr. Karlo Kwol Akol
- Mr. Ojiango Abar Dingmejok
- Mr. Okuc Peter Awol Ajal
- Mrs. Mary Otor
- Mrs. Veronica Saverio Ayik
- Mrs. Lucia Aywok Bol
- Dr. Ronyo Mayik
- Mr. Akic Adwok Lwaldeng
- Mr. Lam Arop Yor
- Mrs. Vivian Joseph Kur Nyidhok
- Mr. Mojwok Goldit Akwot
- Mrs. Nyagith Mayik Diing
- Mrs. Suzana Tom
- Mrs. Regina Simon Twong
- Mr. Michael Olwak Godying
- Mr. Charles Bedipiny Fashoda
- Mr. Emmanuel Kimo Fashoda
- Miss. Adelina Pwochjwok Fashoda
- Miss. Viviana Peter Fashoda
- Mr. Pasqual Mario Arang Awet
- Mr. Youhanes Mario Arang Awet
USA
- Mr. Michael Aban Kalkon
- Mr. Othow Kur Awang
- Mr. Jwothab Wanh Othow
- Mr. Otom Oluak Nyawello
- Mr. Yusuf Apara Nawi
- Mr. Chol Ocam Allan
- Mrs. Lucia Peter Tug
- Mrs. Teresa Nyaum Nawi
- Mr. Oyot Samuel Ador
- Mr. Bolis Agal
- Mr. Charles Bartholomew Anyang
- Mr. Ywomo Arop Byenyo
- Mr. Augustine Afamet Ochoung
- Mr. Okoth Omai Aywak
- Mr. Fabio Mathew Deng
- Mr. Ongien Ojwok Ding
- Mr. Omai Othow Ajak
- Mr. Obwony Odhong Yorwin
- Mr. Sabit Okwagi
- Rev. Francis Nyawello M. Chan
- Mr. Lwanyo Padiet
- Mr. Johnson Owaci Okwac Deng
- Mr. Andrew Nijok BOL
- Mr. Michael Yowdo
- Mr. Peter Adieng Ding
- Mrs. Kwach-Kwan Abwol
- Mr.Lewis Dengangok
- Mrs. Rita Saviro Ayik
- Mr. Peter Opach
- Mr. Emmnuel James Bol
- Mr. Tyson Anny Laa
- Miss. Niveen Anny Laa
- Mr. George Pagak Akuey
- Mr. Olanyi Amum Lueth
- Mr. Benino Aban
- Mr. Michael Chol Tip
- Mr. Silvio William
- Mrs. Nyaban Kiir
- Mrs. Veronica Mojwok Ajak
- Mr. Chan Aba Nyakwol
- Ms. Nyachagjwok Chan Aba
- Ms. Anna Chan Aba
- Mrs. Veronica Chol Othow
- Mr. Fabio Dominic Otor
- Mr. Bumano Samson Oyay
- Mr. Twong Ajak Odhong
- Mr. Andrea Aban Obwany
- Mrs. Nyakwan Alferd Akwach
- Ms. Anagar Acwil Kwalang
- Mr. Poul Acwil Kwlang
- Mr. Thubo Acwil Kwlang
- Ms. Madalina Dawin
- Ms. Maria Shigak
- Mrs. Abuk Aban Ajak
- Mrs. Hanna Adur
- Mr. Wilson Kak
- Mrs. Teresa Adwok Yorwin
- Ms. Josephine A. Amon
- Ms. Achol Aban Kalakon
- Ms. Nyabushay Aban Kalakon
- Mr. Yusif otien
- Ms. Therza Ayuol
- Mr. Ojamo Dekuan
- Mrs. Nyatiling Okic
- Mrs. Catherine Yomon
- Mrs. Monika Kolang
- Mr. Julius Kur
- Mr. Mojowk Yohans
- Mr. Stephen Deng
- Ms. Keim Awin
- Mrs. Regina Amum- Chan
- Ms. Vivian N. Chan
- Ms. Nyamjowk N. Chan
- Ms. Grace N. Chan
- Mr. Daniel Olouch
- Mr. James Nyawello Wadwajwok
- Mr. James odhok
- Ms. Rejoice Thomas
- Mr. Lucia Othow
- Mr. John Obenyi Kuku
- Ms. Nyamathin Nyayom
- Mr. Raphael Nyakwojo
- Mr. Daniel Othow
- Mr. Oyo Alijok
- Mr. Thubi Gui
- Mr. Moses Abudhok
- Mr. Tijok Adur
- Mr. Tereza Nyilek
- Mr. William Ator
- Mrs. Suzana Yor
- Mr. Simon Deng
- Mrs. Monica Deng
- Mr. Jameson Nyapal
- Mrs. Pasquina Koul
- Ms. Nilly Acwill
- Mr. Homer Acwil
- Mr. Gandi Acwil
- Ms. Asonta Ajang
- Mr. John Adouk
- Mr. Yoanes Ajarial
- Mr..Marco Ajarial
- Mr. Franco Ajarial
- Mr. Amelida Adouk
- Mr. Charles Boug
- Mr. David Othow
- Mr. Sebit Othow
- Mr.Ywodo Kak
- Mr. Sabino Edward Ator
- Mr. .Emmanuel Ajak
- Mr. Some Arob
- Ms.Lodie Jago Aney
- Mr. Joseph Ajobong
- Mr. Daniel Odhiem
- Mr.Panarou Adoung
- Ms. Rirri Najock
- Ms. Lubna Obou
- Mr. Ayoub Obou
- Mr. Yohanas Ajak
- Mr. Job James Jago Kudit Kuckon
- Mr. James Jago Kudit Kuckon
- Mr. Dak Awet
- Mrs. Teresa Deng
- Ms. Yayid Awet
- Mr. Ynkoych Awet
- Mr. Stephen Abdalla Olam
- Ms. Nybol Ujouk Utou
- Mr. James Abol
- Ms. Kristina Obany Ayiik
- Mr. Samuel Oshimi
- Dr. Susan Odok
- Rev.Ezekiel Kujok Akulith
- Ms. Priscilla Nyago odhok
- Mr.Enoch Daniel Aba
- Dr.Nyaban Ezekiel Kutjok
- Mr.Agelo Gordon Ajawin
- Ms. Josephina Michael Yowin
- Ms. Tabitha Nyikuey
- Mr. Andrew Akol Ajawin
- Mr. Butros Ajang
- Mr. Obec Tito Tipo Adibo
- Mr. Jermico Amon
- Mrs. Mary Ayik
- Ms. Lidia Amon
Canada
- Mr. William Amum
- Mr. Samuel Wadeng Otong
- Mr. Sabino Diok
- Mr. Emmanuel Jimmy
- Mr.Oyath Aromi
- Mr. Emanuel.K. Ottor
- Mrs. Liuca Adwak
- Mr. Peter Ojwal
- Mrs. Cecilia B. Adong
- Mrs. Kiristine Pagan
- Mr.Wialliam Goldiet
- Mr. Paul Nyibek
- Mr. Mark M. Mayott
- Ms. Linda Akoj.
- Mr. William Gwang
- Mrs. Jiebien Nyajwok
- Mr. William Ogal Leijlij
Australia
- Mr. Paul J.Kwajakwan
- Mrs.Assunta A.Ajang
- Dr. Banydhuro S.Oyay
- Mr. John D. Kuldite
- Mrs. Lucia A.Ajang
- Mr. Chol K.Afaj
- Mrs. Rebecca Y.Okaj
- Mr. Simon A.Landid
- Mr. Simon Arop Okyij
- Mrs. Lucia John Obwony
- Mrs. Luciano Ador
- Achol Simon Othom
- Mr. Francis Akic Ajang Yowm
- Oudriko Mayoum
- Alia Gakug
- Mr. Peter Deng
- Mr. Mojwok Pasqualla Mayom
- Mr. Aban M.Lwanyo
- Mr. Bob A.Bwogo
- Mr. Kudit Geil
- Nyachan Akoch
- Rita J.Along
- Maria Awak Joseph
- Mr. Ezekiel R.Arop
- Suzy M.Aban
- Tertizeo Pasquale Adyankor
- Rebecca S. Oyay
- Suzy A. Okony
- Mr. John Deng
- Mr. Peter Awu
- Maria Awu
- Mer Kwajakwan
- Tito Kwajakwan
- Mr. Philip Awu
- Mr. Othow Kudit Chalker
- Mr. Tipo Mel
38 .Mrs. Elizabeth Atilio
- Ashwill Mayiik
- Mr.PachaiyPathum A .Nyikako
- Mr. Orito Olami Awu
- Dodo Daniel Mongo
- Ms. Vivian Akol Ajawin
- Ms. Ayak Yor Kak Bol
- Mr. Isaac Ayul Deng
- Mr. Victor Kutker
- Mr. Chol A.Otor Nyajwok
- Mr. Anthony Kuol
- Mr. Otien Otong Ayik
- Mr. Michael Odhong Nyijak
- Mr. Nyibil Amum Okiech
- Mr. Otha T. Akoch
- Mr. Ogwok Otor
- Mr. Peter A.O. Necding
- Mr. James Wastino
- Mr. William Chol Adam
- Mr. Charity Joseph Twong
- Mr. Thomas Lual
- Ms. Regina James Bol
- Mr. Akich Akoch
- Mr. Paromi Aloung
- Ms.Madline Odhok
- Mr. Francis Nyibong
- Mr. Bedipeny Akoch
- Mr. Banan Ajak
- Mr. Peter Leone Joseph
- Mr. Okuj Ajak
- Mr. Chol Ajak
- Ms. Nyakac Ajak
- Mr. Olami Akany
- Mr.Aban Amum
- Mr. Mojwok Otha Akoch
- Mrs. Bedchollo Peter Lai
- Mr. Benjamin Bol Paul
New Zealand
1. Mr. Abann Kamyay Ajak Yor
- Mr. Victor Ojouk Kak
- Mr. Peter Chan Akic
- Mrs. Esther Nyadeng Abba
- Mrs. Mary Daniel Nyawell Kwat
6. Mrs. Lillian Chamjock Adowk - Miss. Banan Abann K .A Yor
- Mrs. Pachok Juma Abba
- Miss. Patricha Pawill Kim Adowk
Other locations
- Mr. Simon Pagan Obur Ajak – Sweden.
- Mr. Nyawello Pakwan – U.A.E
- Mr. David Karial – Egypt
- Mr.Wialliam Odwol Najok – Germany
- Dr. John Tito Tipo Adibo – Germany
- Mr. Youdo Abodayi Shawich – Germany
- Mr. Joseph Chol lual deng – The Netherland
- Mr. ONYAW SABAH ELKHEIR ADOUR – Finland
- Dr. John Ojur Dennis- Malaysia
- Mrs. Frieda Joshua Adieng –The Netherland
- Mr. Jago Adongjak- Kenya
CC:
Mr. Barrack Obama – President of the United States of America
The Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Mr. Malcolm Turnbull – Prime Minister of Australia
Mr. Justin Trudeau- Prime Minister Designate of Canada
Mrs. Erna Solberg- Prime Minister of Norway
H.E. Omar Hassan Al Bashir- President of the Republic of the Sudan
H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn – Prime Minister of Ethiopia and IGAD Chairman
H.E. Jean-Claude Juncker-President of the European Union
H.E. Mrs. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Please note that the following support documents are enclosed: To read support documents just click on the hyper link below:
- Open Letter by The Representatives of Collo Nation in The National, Southern Sudan and Upper Nile State Assemblies to The Governor of Upper Nile State, South Sudan, 10 Jan.2009
- An Open Letter on Insecurity and Land Grabbing to H.E Salva Kiir President of GoSS.
By Clement Mbugoniwia, Leader of USSP, 24 January, 2009
- USSP Press Release: GoSS”s Impartiality in Addressing Upper Nile State Insecurity?
27 June, 2010
- An Open Letter from Collo Community in USA to H.E Salva Kiir President of GoSS,
29 January, 2009
- An Article by Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba Dimensions of Current Political Discourse over Malakal, 19 October, 2009
- The Shilluk Kingdom Today: Challenging Dinka invaders By Ustaz/ James Ogilo Agor, 10 July, 2010
Link: chollo-petition-to-the-united-nation-secretary-general
7 comments
Chollo (Shilluks), you displayed patriotism, both in the field of confrontation for the right of the marginalized valiant in diplomacy and politic; not only for Collo nation, but to the whole of South Sudanese nationalities and nations in general. You came out clearly in protest against the born to rule pathetic tribalists, so-called majority tribe in this country. That is a big fight in defending of your ancestral land from the same idiots! We are all opposed to that move by Kiir. The second majority tribe in this country will always stand in defense of the right of any minoty groups. We are waiting to hear from other marginalized groups like Buruns and those in Westrn Bhar El-Gazal and Western Equatoria. Don’t worry guys, we are with you fully!
Chollo (Shiluk) Pettion will be keep for while somewhere.
Murle youth has just send you a message.
“Bi Uganda jien biduoth ni Slava, kua kap, ba ngot thele maalec thin”
Three of your counties will be divided amongst Nuer, Murle, and the Anyuaks. Go and cry to the JCE.
Chollo community, don’t worry. The incompetent, tribal warlord, power-hungry-greedy, traitorous, killer Kiir, the Dinka warlords, Kuol Manyang, Malong Awan, and the JCE(Dinka council of national resources looters-Ambrose Riiny ), have zero chance in hell of annexing other tribes’ lands to their kinsmen. These trios career killers and murderers will and shall soon-eminently be history . ICC awaits them, dead or alive period
UPDF is going, don’t worry Chuluk, this man will realize his mistake soon.
Chollos,your complaining is meaningless,for the creation of 28 states doesn’t put you into homelessness.
It neither destroys your kingdom nor puts you in a situation where other tribes dominate you.
The creation of the 28 states empowers you;brings development to your doorsteps and makes government service deliveries to you, much easier.
Talking against the need for increasing a number of states is an anti-development that will only keep you living in traditional huts for years. This is the opposite of what is needed.
What is needed is urbanization of South Sudan and creation of the 28 states is essential to achieve it.
Your tribe should only ask the government one thing,that is to preserve your traditional sacred sites of the kingdom for tourism sightseeing and civic education.
Overseas where Chollo communities petitioned this letter of their grievances to UN Chief, lands are assets of the governments,which they regulate for all purposes.
Though some citizens own homes,the laws require them to pay council rates,electricity, gas and water bills they don’t own in their homes to different companies responsible for provisions of those amenities.
The government of South Sudan and its citizens shouldn’t be different from those of other countries when it comes to how the land should be used for the best.
Creation of the 28 states is that one of the best things.
The chollo community are absolutely right because the fake order made by Salva Kiir created the new 28 states was actually in total violation of recent peace agreement that signed on 17 and 26 August 2015 in Juba and Addis ababa as well, however the boundary policy world wide is definitely obvious but the so called Jieng council of Elders seem to be unwise full and foolishness that is why they are wrongly advising the ineffective leadership of Salva to randomly issued unstudied decisions for instant the dissolution of SPLM structures and creation of those 28 state which is also contrary with South Sudan constitution , any way my dear fellowship community of Chollo kingdom, we are hereby assure you that your concern is not in vain, we will stand behind you very firm as you know us very well although it will drag us back to war we will fight because of Malakal town and other areas that are belong to Chollo kingdom which are being annexed to so called Dinka Padang land we will say a very big NO to those polish cycle of Juba regime.