Chollo (Shilluk) Petition on the Establishment Order Issued by the President of the Republic of South Sudan Dividing the Country into 28 States

To: UN Secretary General, the Hon. Ban Ki-moon

United Nations Headquarters

885 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017, USA.

Dear Mr. Secretary General,

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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 2^nd 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 17^th and 26^th 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 16^th century. The first Dinka to arrive east of the Nile did so in the 18^th century (Abilang and Dingjol). The rest came to their present settlements in the 19^th 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

1. Dr Joseph Kucburo Ajang
2. Mr. Peter Fashoda Ageng
3. Mr. Gabriel Gwang Ajang
4. Mr. Karlo Kwol Akol
5. Mr. Ojiango Abar Dingmejok
6. Mr. Okuc Peter Awol Ajal
7. Mrs. Mary Otor
8. Mrs. Veronica Saverio Ayik
9. Mrs. Lucia Aywok Bol
10. Dr. Ronyo Mayik
11. Mr. Akic Adwok Lwaldeng
12. Mr. Lam Arop Yor
13. Mrs. Vivian Joseph Kur Nyidhok
14. Mr. Mojwok Goldit Akwot
15. Mrs. Nyagith Mayik Diing
16. Mrs. Suzana Tom
17. Mrs. Regina Simon Twong
18. Mr. Michael Olwak Godying
19. Mr. Charles Bedipiny Fashoda
20. Mr. Emmanuel Kimo Fashoda
21. Miss. Adelina Pwochjwok Fashoda
22. Miss. Viviana Peter Fashoda
23. Mr. Pasqual Mario Arang Awet
24. Mr. Youhanes Mario Arang Awet

USA

1. Mr. Michael Aban Kalkon
2. Mr. Othow Kur Awang
3. Mr. Jwothab Wanh Othow
4. Mr. Otom Oluak Nyawello
5. Mr. Yusuf Apara Nawi
6. Mr. Chol Ocam Allan
7. Mrs. Lucia Peter Tug
8. Mrs. Teresa Nyaum Nawi
9. Mr. Oyot Samuel Ador
10. Mr. Bolis Agal
11. Mr. Charles Bartholomew Anyang
12. Mr. Ywomo Arop Byenyo
13. Mr. Augustine Afamet Ochoung
14. Mr. Okoth Omai Aywak
15. Mr. Fabio Mathew Deng
16. Mr. Ongien Ojwok Ding
17. Mr. Omai Othow Ajak
18. Mr. Obwony Odhong Yorwin
19. Mr. Sabit Okwagi
20. Rev. Francis Nyawello M. Chan
21. Mr. Lwanyo Padiet
22. Mr. Johnson Owaci Okwac Deng
23. Mr. Andrew Nijok BOL
24. Mr. Michael Yowdo
25. Mr. Peter Adieng Ding
26. Mrs.  Kwach-Kwan Abwol
27. Mr.Lewis Dengangok
28. Mrs. Rita Saviro Ayik
29. Mr. Peter Opach
30. Mr. Emmnuel James Bol
31. Mr. Tyson Anny Laa
32. Miss. Niveen Anny Laa
33. Mr. George Pagak Akuey
34. Mr. Olanyi Amum Lueth
35. Mr. Benino Aban
36. Mr. Michael Chol Tip
37. Mr. Silvio William
38. Mrs. Nyaban Kiir
39. Mrs. Veronica Mojwok Ajak
40. Mr. Chan Aba Nyakwol
41. Ms. Nyachagjwok Chan Aba
42. Ms. Anna Chan Aba
43. Mrs. Veronica Chol Othow
44. Mr. Fabio Dominic Otor
45. Mr. Bumano Samson Oyay
46. Mr. Twong Ajak Odhong
47. Mr. Andrea Aban Obwany
48. Mrs. Nyakwan Alferd Akwach
49. Ms. Anagar Acwil Kwalang
50. Mr. Poul Acwil Kwlang
51. Mr. Thubo Acwil Kwlang
52. Ms. Madalina Dawin
53. Ms. Maria Shigak
54. Mrs. Abuk Aban Ajak
55. Mrs. Hanna Adur
56. Mr. Wilson Kak
57. Mrs. Teresa Adwok Yorwin
58. Ms. Josephine A. Amon
59. Ms. Achol Aban Kalakon
60. Ms. Nyabushay Aban Kalakon
61. Mr. Yusif otien
62. Ms. Therza Ayuol
63. Mr. Ojamo Dekuan
64. Mrs. Nyatiling Okic
65. Mrs. Catherine Yomon
66. Mrs. Monika Kolang
67. Mr. Julius Kur
68. Mr. Mojowk Yohans
69. Mr. Stephen Deng
70. Ms. Keim Awin
71. Mrs. Regina Amum- Chan
72. Ms. Vivian N. Chan
73. Ms. Nyamjowk N. Chan
74. Ms. Grace N. Chan
75. Mr. Daniel Olouch
76. Mr. James Nyawello Wadwajwok
77. Mr. James odhok
78. Ms. Rejoice Thomas
79. Mr. Lucia Othow
80. Mr. John Obenyi Kuku
81. Ms. Nyamathin Nyayom
82. Mr. Raphael Nyakwojo
83. Mr. Daniel Othow
84. Mr. Oyo Alijok
85. Mr. Thubi Gui
86. Mr. Moses Abudhok
87. Mr. Tijok Adur
88. Mr. Tereza Nyilek
89. Mr. William Ator
90. Mrs. Suzana Yor
91. Mr. Simon Deng
92. Mrs. Monica Deng
93. Mr. Jameson Nyapal
94. Mrs. Pasquina Koul
95. Ms. Nilly Acwill
96. Mr. Homer Acwil
97. Mr. Gandi Acwil
98. Ms. Asonta Ajang
99. Mr. John Adouk
100. Mr. Yoanes Ajarial
101. Mr..Marco Ajarial
102. Mr. Franco Ajarial
103. Mr. Amelida Adouk
104. Mr. Charles Boug
105. Mr. David Othow
106. Mr. Sebit Othow
107. Mr.Ywodo Kak
108. Mr. Sabino Edward Ator
109. Mr. .Emmanuel Ajak
110. Mr. Some Arob
111. Ms.Lodie Jago Aney
112. Mr. Joseph Ajobong
113. Mr. Daniel Odhiem
114. Mr.Panarou Adoung
115. Ms. Rirri Najock
116. Ms. Lubna Obou
117. Mr. Ayoub Obou
118. Mr. Yohanas Ajak
119. Mr. Job James Jago Kudit Kuckon
120. Mr. James Jago Kudit Kuckon
121. Mr. Dak Awet
122. Mrs. Teresa Deng
123. Ms. Yayid Awet
124. Mr. Ynkoych Awet
125. Mr. Stephen Abdalla Olam
126. Ms. Nybol Ujouk Utou
127. Mr. James Abol
128. Ms. Kristina Obany Ayiik
129. Mr. Samuel Oshimi
130. Dr. Susan Odok
131. Rev.Ezekiel Kujok Akulith
132. Ms. Priscilla Nyago odhok
133. Mr.Enoch Daniel Aba
134. Dr.Nyaban Ezekiel Kutjok
135. Mr.Agelo Gordon Ajawin
136. Ms. Josephina Michael Yowin
137. Ms. Tabitha Nyikuey
138. Mr. Andrew Akol Ajawin
139. Mr. Butros Ajang
140. Mr. Obec Tito Tipo Adibo
141. Mr. Jermico Amon
142. Mrs. Mary Ayik
143. Ms. Lidia Amon

Canada

1. Mr. William Amum
2. Mr. Samuel Wadeng Otong
3. Mr. Sabino Diok
4. Mr. Emmanuel Jimmy
5. Mr.Oyath Aromi
6. Mr. Emanuel.K. Ottor
7. Mrs. Liuca Adwak
8. Mr. Peter Ojwal
9. Mrs. Cecilia B. Adong
10. Mrs. Kiristine Pagan
11. Mr.Wialliam Goldiet
12. Mr. Paul Nyibek
13. Mr. Mark M. Mayott
14. Ms. Linda Akoj.
15. Mr. William Gwang
16. Mrs. Jiebien Nyajwok
17. Mr. William Ogal Leijlij

Australia

1. Mr. Paul J.Kwajakwan
2. Mrs.Assunta A.Ajang
3. Dr. Banydhuro S.Oyay
4. Mr. John D. Kuldite
5. Mrs. Lucia A.Ajang
6. Mr. Chol K.Afaj
7. Mrs. Rebecca Y.Okaj
8. Mr. Simon A.Landid
9. Mr. Simon Arop Okyij
10. Mrs. Lucia John Obwony
11. Mrs. Luciano Ador
12. Achol Simon Othom
13. Mr. Francis Akic Ajang Yowm
14. Oudriko Mayoum
15. Alia Gakug
16. Mr. Peter Deng
17. Mr. Mojwok Pasqualla Mayom
18. Mr. Aban M.Lwanyo
19. Mr. Bob A.Bwogo
20. Mr. Kudit Geil
21. Nyachan Akoch
22. Rita J.Along
23. Maria Awak Joseph
24. Mr. Ezekiel R.Arop
25. Suzy M.Aban
26. Tertizeo Pasquale Adyankor
27. Rebecca S. Oyay
28. Suzy A. Okony
29. Mr. John Deng
30. Mr. Peter Awu
31. Maria Awu
32. Mer Kwajakwan
33. Tito Kwajakwan
34. Mr. Philip Awu
35. Mr. Othow Kudit Chalker
36. Mr. Tipo Mel

38 .Mrs. Elizabeth Atilio

39. Ashwill Mayiik
40. Mr.PachaiyPathum A .Nyikako
41. Mr. Orito Olami Awu
42. Dodo Daniel Mongo
43. Ms. Vivian Akol Ajawin
44. Ms. Ayak Yor Kak Bol
45. Mr. Isaac Ayul Deng
46. Mr. Victor Kutker
47. Mr. Chol A.Otor Nyajwok
48. Mr. Anthony Kuol
49. Mr. Otien Otong Ayik
50. Mr. Michael Odhong Nyijak
51. Mr. Nyibil Amum Okiech
52. Mr. Otha T. Akoch
53. Mr. Ogwok Otor
54. Mr. Peter A.O. Necding
55. Mr. James Wastino
56. Mr. William Chol Adam
57. Mr. Charity Joseph Twong
58. Mr. Thomas Lual
59. Ms. Regina James Bol
60. Mr. Akich Akoch
61. Mr. Paromi Aloung
62. Ms.Madline Odhok
63. Mr. Francis Nyibong
64. Mr. Bedipeny Akoch
65. Mr. Banan Ajak
66. Mr. Peter Leone Joseph
67. Mr. Okuj Ajak
68. Mr. Chol Ajak
69. Ms. Nyakac Ajak
70. Mr. Olami Akany
71. Mr.Aban Amum
72. Mr. Mojwok Otha Akoch
73. Mrs. Bedchollo Peter Lai
74. Mr. Benjamin Bol Paul

New Zealand
1. Mr. Abann Kamyay Ajak Yor

2. Mr. Victor Ojouk Kak
3. Mr. Peter Chan Akic
4. Mrs. Esther Nyadeng Abba
5. Mrs. Mary Daniel Nyawell Kwat
   6. Mrs. Lillian Chamjock Adowk
6. Miss. Banan Abann K .A Yor
7. Mrs. Pachok Juma Abba
8. Miss. Patricha Pawill Kim Adowk

Other locations

1. Mr. Simon Pagan Obur Ajak – Sweden.
2. Mr. Nyawello Pakwan – U.A.E
3. Mr. David Karial – Egypt
4. Mr.Wialliam Odwol Najok – Germany
5. Dr. John Tito Tipo Adibo – Germany
6. Mr. Youdo Abodayi Shawich – Germany
7. Mr. Joseph Chol lual deng – The Netherland
8. Mr. ONYAW SABAH ELKHEIR ADOUR – Finland
9. Dr. John Ojur Dennis- Malaysia
10. Mrs.  Frieda Joshua Adieng –The Netherland
11. 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:

1. 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
2. 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

3. USSP Press Release: GoSS”s Impartiality in Addressing Upper Nile State Insecurity?

27 June, 2010

4. An Open Letter from Collo Community in USA to H.E Salva Kiir President of GoSS,

29 January, 2009

5. An Article by Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba Dimensions of Current Political Discourse over Malakal, 19 October, 2009
6. The Shilluk Kingdom Today: Challenging Dinka invaders By Ustaz/ James Ogilo Agor, 10 July, 2010

Link: chollo-petition-to-the-united-nation-secretary-general