Open Letter to the Governor of Upper Nile State

His Excellency, it has come to our knowledge that some fellows from Jieng Dengjwol  wrote to you a letter in October  signed by their chief, in which they claimed the ownership of Makal, with threatening language demanding Collo community to evacuate the town to the west side of the White Nile and if not they will face the consequences.

As your subjects we want to know what decision have you taken against such terrors that seem to undermine your leadership. Indeed, if you did not brought them to justice, then this may open room for any community member to take the law with their hands, and for  those who feel threaten will react negatively, and consequently this will bring instability and it will destroy your good work in the state, which people begin to experience in state which were not there  since the creation of earth.

His Excellency, to avoid envisions in our state it will be most acceptable to confer the issues with concern communities. As leader of all, the intimidation and military forceful language should be ruled out in public matters, for it can bring setback to your political career.

Ironically, the issue of land is sensitivity one and must be handle with wisdom, for any leader statements will be taken seriously by the subjects, these statements could be the best tools and confederation that give evil doers to do something secretly or illegally.

In regard to the claim of Malakal ownership by Jieng and asking Collo to evacuate it  to western side of Nile, it would be wise for state Governor to call these two communities to the dialogue table to find out the truth about  this matter.

His Excellency, people of Malakal were delighted and pleased by your statement which you made to the people who approached your esteem office in request to distribute land in Obel area. In your respond you exclaimed that the land belong to inhabitants as it was stipulated in CPA. That implies you are leader who apply justice correctly, this positive position add more credit to your leadership. For these guys who approached your office for that matter were trying to use tribal belonging to achieve their distracted goals.

Shockley our Governor, you made contrary statement in Malakal which made people skeptical about contradicted statements. Your Excellency you declared that anyone who claimed the ownership of Malakal should be reported to you immediately so that you can deal with him. This last statement is very difficult to comprehend and conceive with your previous remark.

Now, people begin to wonder about the status of Malakal, and the question that posted itself is, does Malakal has no inhabitants? Your Excellency did you intend to direct you warning to Jieng who claimed Malakal recently or you were speaking to inhabitants who live in their  ancestral land for centuries? If your statement is directly to Jieng then it will be well taken but if it is not then you nullified your previous remark, which say the land belong to inhabitants as stipulated in CPA.

Yes, we had seen some progress in Upper Nile State whereby everybody is giving praise and acknowledgement, but this progress should not be in expense of inhabitant's community. We agree that the state is for all citizens but that does not mean the state should marginalize the inhabitants, for that is a deadly mistake.

 If we believe in democracy system injustice remark need to be minimized by state Governor, it will be worthy mention that the Governor should not relinquish the positions, powers, or rights of Malakal inhabitants to others who claimed it ownership without proof evidences. For this will create tension, insecurity and instability within our state.

His Excellency, do you know that your statement that seem to suggest that Malakal belong to none, gave room to confederation idiom minded individuals to do illegal act in Malakal town by taken some plots that belong to others, because this land belong to no one. So my Governor can you see the negative impact of your statement which was interpreted wrongly by ambitious people to achieve their ill goals.

We appreciated your decision of collecting weapons and ammunitions recently in Malakal town that will ensure the security and development, because without security no progress can be accomplish.          

 Daniel A. Odwel