Joshua Dau Diu responds to Samson Oyay’s letter
Sep 21, 2020(SSNN) — Joshua Dau diu has written a response to a letter that was apparently sent by Hon. Samson Oyay’s son purporting he had grabbed land.
Youth leaving the scene of violence in Malakal, Upper Nile State in 2015(Photo credit: unknown)
According to the Joshua Dau Diu, the letter that he had seen accused him of grabbing the Chollo land east of the Nile including Malakal town.
In his response, he addressed several issues that were supposedly addressed in the letter.
Joshua Dau Diu addressed the issue of Padaang- cholo contest over land ownership. According to him, the Chollo migration from Bahr El Ghazal to Upper Nile – East Nile dispute should have presented and deliberated upon during a tribal conference between Chollo and padaang or an arbitration convened by both tribes represented by experts. He added that administrative arrangement will determine the status of Malakal town. Military warfare could also be a quick solution to the land issue.
The other subject he addressed was the attempt to survey the East Nile land between 1972 and 1983 by three prominent leaders of the Chollo community; minister for Legal Affairs late Molana Natale Olwak, senior engineers in the Ministry of Housing and Public utilities Matthew Othou Deang and Angelo Othou and Director General of the Ministry Matthew Othou. These leaders sent a group of surveyors to demarcate the land but their plan was discovered and blocked by the then Paramount Chief John Gaijang Awol and Executive Chief Michael Miakol Deng.
The third issue that he addressed in the letter was the Obel Peace Conference that came about because of the cold murder of Monyyik Yor, from Luac (section of Padaang) by a Shilluk man. This led to a fight between the two communities a day after the murder.
According to the letter, Gen. Kuol Amuom, who was then Minister of Interior in the High Executive Council Government, went to Obel to convene and oversee the reconciliation process between the two ethnic communities. And on the second day of the conference, Paramount Chief of Khorfulus Court, Piot Yak Buk, in his address remarked, saying, “How wonderful and great it is that there is a higher authority, the government minister, the Mekh, before whom the Shilluks kneel in adoration and address him as child/son of god (nyajwok) can now sit down before him with us his equal tribal chiefs.” This did not sit well with Mekh Ayang but the meeting went on as planned.
“The Conference in its final resolutions concluded that the two neighboring tribal communities must return to live in harmony and to co-exist cordially. That brought the conference to an end. However, the Shilluk intellectuals and politicians continue to agitate for the revenge of their lost ones during that past confrontation.” Stated the letter.
The final subject is that of SPLM/A Concession for Peace that was spearheaded by Dr. John Garang. The letter accuses Dr. John Garang of issuing a circular that approved Dr. Lam Akol’s counties for the Chollo immigrants and settlers east of Nile River. However, the circular was refuted by Padaang SPLA Generals and the community in the SPLM/A controlled areas. Joshua Dau diu advocates for a peaceful reconciliation.
“Since the claim of Malakal as well as the entire Eastern Bank of the White Nile, from the confluence of Zeraf River up to Renk (eighteen miles) deep inland, is claimed and being militantly fought for by Agwelek Militia under Gen. Johnson Olony Thuba and politically pursued by all Chollo politicians, I strongly advocate that the matter be adjudicated by arbitration to be followed by negotiations and reconciliations. Fighting will not help any party to gain the land, rather it will deepen animosity and perpetuate long time bitterness.” Joshua Dau diu wrote.
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