Dear Comrades and friends,

May 14, 2011 (SSNA) -- I wish to inform all of you that the root causes of internal conflicts among Southern Sudanese from the past governments to this present government of Southern Sudan are based on an unfair allocation of positions (question of power) and resources on geographical and ethnical basis. One single tribe has always maintained a dominant role over other tribes. South Sudan; as it’s known locally and internationally, is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society with more than sixty (68) ethnic groups. If the majority do not consider the importance (or role) of minority groups, then problems or tribal conflicts shall always be on the rise until this question of power and or resources is addressed accordingly, and in a pragmatic manner.

The infamous word “Kokora” is derived from Bari local language, which literally means ‘separation’. First, it was pronounced loudly by most of the Equatoria intellectuals who felt Dinka domination in the Regional Government which was established in 1973 following the Addis Ababa Accord, which granted the people of Southern Sudan an autonomous status within the framework of a united Sudan. A war that started on 18^th August 1955, some four months before, Sudan obtained its independence from Great Britain on 1^st January 1956.

The root causes of Kokora could be traced back from the time of the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement, when Mr. Abel Alier Kuai out-maneuvered his erstwhile enemy, General Joseph Lagu Yanga - the founder of Anya-Nya Movement and the principal signatory to the Addis Ababa Accord. Instead of General Lagu to take charge of the affairs of Southern Sudan as it was stipulated in the agreement, President Jaafar Mohamed Nimeiri hastily handed over the Regional Government to his longtime puppet Mr. Abel Alier who negotiated and signed the agreement on behalf of Sudan Government. Unfortunately, President Nimeiri abruptly appointed and commissioned General Joseph Lagu to head the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) sprinkled all over Southern Region with his Headquarters in Juba, while Mr. Abel Alier to head the High Executive Council in Juba. The two gentlemen were under specific roles, supervisions and directives of President Nimeiri in Khartoum – playing the game of Tom & Jerry against each other. This kind of appointment remained a bone of contention between the two Southern leaders to date.

During Abel Alier’s reign as from 1973 – 1978, and again from 1980 – 1982, he entrenched himself by placing his own tribesmen (Dinka) in all the strategic and powerful positions. They controlled finance, public service, judiciary, education, administration, prison service, wildlife service, police service, legal affairs, regional assembly etc.  The non-Dinkas found themselves deprived from the regional government and eventually advocated for division of Southern Region in Juba to be divided up into three sub-regions of Equatoria, Bahr El Gazal and Upper Nile. In June 1983, President Nimeiri issued a Presidential Decree dividing the Southern Region into three fragile regions of Equatoria under Governor James Joseph Tombura, Bahr El Gazal under Lawrence Wol Wol and Upper Nile under Daniel Koat Mattews.

At the same time, the war broke-out once again in the South which resulted to the birth of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ Army (SPLM/A) under leadership of Dr. John Garang de Mabior. The same political domination was also applied again in the movement where out of five so-called Permanent Members of Politico-Military High Command (PMHC), four were from Dinka; including Col. John Garang as a Chairman & C-in-C, Lt. Col. Kerubino Kuanyin Bol as Deputy, Capt. Salva Kiir Mayardit Deputy Chief of Staff for Security & Operations and Major Arok Thon Arok as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics & Administration. Lt. Col. William Nyuon Bany, who hailed from Nuer, was the only non-Dinka in the SPLM/A leadership’s hierarchy to get the position of Chief of Staff.

The minority tribes who joined the SPLA in their thousands found themselves left out in the movement’s leadership and participated only as canon porters and nothing else. That was why many Equatorians in the initial stage had hesitated, or perhaps were reluctant to join the SPLA/M. They perceived it as a Dinka movement and the bulk of Nuer sided with Anya-Nya II respectively voicing the same concerns. However, it took Col. John Garang and his henchmen nearly three years to create fictitious titles like the one known as “Alternate Members” of Politico Military High Command to accommodate few non-Dinka like Galario Ornyang, James Wani Igga, Dr. Lam Akol, Yusuf Kowa and Dr. Riek Machar in the SPLA leadership’s hierarchy.  The same kind of political dominion is currently replicating itself in the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), which is repeating the same mistakes of the past without any shame.

The rampant corruption and nepotism, which is the making of the so-called “land grabbing”, money laundering, denial of job opportunities and the selective promotion of SPLA officers and other security organs are based on this kind of setup where checks and balances are not relevant at all levels of GOSS. One may wonder why Southern Sudanese are still fighting themselves while they have already got what they have been fighting for. Alas! The truth is that we are lacking a visionary leader who can accommodate our diverse community’s interests fairly.

The political Bureau (PB), which is the highest political organ of the ruling SPLM is actually a rubber stamp used by one ethnic group (Dinka) to dominate others by using their numbers to impose decisions on others. There is no fairness in it. Serious decisions are made behind the back door. Even the so-called ‘deputies’ used to wonder when decisions are passed and announced publicly. This is also applied to the Council of Ministers which is being chaired by H.E President Salva Kiir himself.

Some GOSS Institutions like Ministries of Finance, Internal Security, Public Service, Education, SPLA Affairs (Defence), Bank of South Sudan, Regional Cooperation (Foreign Affairs) and all the security organs are dominated by one ethnic group – the Dinka. This makes it difficult for other ethnic groups to voice their concerns publicly. 90% of minority groups do not reflex themselves in the political mirror of Salva Kiir’s government. During the Regional Government which ruled the South for 10 years as from 1973 – 1983, most of the minority tribes used to be represented by their community leaders. For example: Oliver Batali Albino came from the smallest tribe in the South – the Makaraka. But he was made a minister by Abel Alier. The same with Mr. Mr. Simon Mori Dedimo and Dr. Pasisco Ladu Lolik who headed the ministries of Information & Culture and that of health respectively under General Joseph Lagu in 1978.  Now, such tribes like Taposa, Anyuak, Lokoi, Didinga, Lokoro, Acholi, Murle, Balanda, Mondu, Nyangwara, Baka, Abakaya, Makaraka, Jurbel, Maban, Boya etc.. are not represented at any level of government from GOSS ministers, Independent commissions or GOSS under-secretaries and yet they possessed most qualified personalities capable to manage such institutions. While during the war each community mentioned above participated actively in defending the Southern’s cause against the successive regimes in Khartoum.

President Salva Kiir must learn how to share the nation’s cake equally with all Southern Sudanese communities. Not everything to be Dinka! That is why there is a need for change within South Sudan leadership where minority tribes should be represented.

The author’s name is withheld for security reasons.

Attached bellow is the lists of SPLM Political Bureau members, GOSS Presidential Advisors, GOSS Ministers, Independent Commission Chairpersons, Under-secretaries and other security organs. The list of South Sudanese in the Government of National Unity is not included, where Dinka are still dominating all key strategic positions there.

SPLM Political Bureau Members

No.	Name	Position	State	Tribe
1.	Cde. Salva Kiir Mayardit	Chairman	Warrap	Dinka
2.	Dr. Riek Machar Teny	1st Vice Chairman	Unity	Nuer
3.	Cde. James Wani Igga	2nd Vice Chairman	Central Equatoria	Bari
4.	Cde. Malik Agar	3rd Vice Chairman	Blue Nile	Funj
5.	Cde. Pagan Amum Ukec	Secretary General	Upper Nile	Shilluk
6.	Dr. Ann Itto	Deputy Secretary General for Southern Sector	Eastern Equatoria	Madi
7.	Cde. Yasir Saed Arman	Deputy Secretary General for Northern Sector	Northerner	Khartoum
8.	Cde. Daniel Awet Akot	Member	Lakes	Dinka
9.	Cde. Kuol Manyang Juuk	Member	Jonglei	Dinka
10.	Cde. Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior	Member	Jonglei	Dinka
11.	Cde. John Luk Jok	Member	Jonglei	Nuer
12.	Cde. Jamie Nunu Komba	Member	W. Equatoria	Zande
13.	Cde. Mark Nyipuoc Obong	Member	W. Bahr El Gazal	Jurchol
14.	Cde. Clement Wani Konga	Member	C. Equatoria	Mundari
15.	Cde. Alisio Emore Ojatuk	Member	E. Equatoria	Lotuka
16.	Cde. Taban Deng Gai	Member	Unity	Nuer
17.	Cde, Paul Mayom Akec	Member	Lakes	Dinka
18.	Cde. Awut Deng Acuil	Member	Warrap	Dinka
19.	Cde. Akol Paul	Member	Warrap	Dinka
20.	Cde. Deng Alor Kuol	Member	Abyei	Dinka
21.	Cde. Nhial Deng Nhial	Member	Warrap	Dinka
22.	Cde. (Late) Samson Kwaji	Member	C. Equatoria	Pajulu
23.	Cde. Paul Malong Awan	Member	N. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
24.	Cde. Lual Diing Wol	Member	N. Bahr El- Gazal	Dinka
25.	Cde. Abdul Aziz Adam El Allawe	Member	Nuba Mountains	Nuba

S/No.	Name	Position	State	Region	Tribe
1.	Fr. Pio Kuac	Religious Affairs	Upper Nile	G. Equatoria	Shilluk
2.	Mr. John Kong Nyuon	Security Affairs	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
3.	Dr. Joseph Nguen M.	Social Service	Unity	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
4.	Mr. Kennedy Kayin	Peace and Reconciliation	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Murle
5.	Mr. Kong Kong Bol	Border Conflicts Resolution	Unity	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
6.	Mr. Alfred Lado Gore	Diplomacy	C. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Bari
7.	Mr. Tor Deng Mawien	Decentralization & Inter-Governmental Linkage	Warrap	G. Bahr El- Gazal	Dinka
8.	Madam Rebecca  Nyandeng de-Mabior	Gender& Human Rights	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
9.	Mr. Lual Diing Wol	Political Affairs	N. Bhar El-Ghazal	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
10.	Mr. Joseph Lagu Yanga	Special Advisor	E. Quatoria	G. Equatoria	Madi
11.	Mr. Telar Ring Deng	Legal Advisor	Lakes	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
12.	Lt. Gen. Salva Mathok Geng	Advisor on SPLA Affairs	Warrap	G. Bhar El-Gazal	Dinka
13.	Steven Madut Bak	Regional Cooperation Affairs	Warrap	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
14.	Cornillo Befo	Monitoring and Integrity in Governance	C. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Bari

S/No.	Name	Ministry	State	Region	Tribe
1.	Mr. Kosti Manibi	Cabinet Affairs	Western Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Moru
2.	Dr. Cirino Hiteng	Presidential  Affairs	Eastern Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Lotuka
3.	Mr. Nhial Deng Nhial	SPLA & Veteran Affairs	Warrap	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
4.	Mr. Gier Chuang Aluong	Internal  Affairs	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
5.	Mr. David Deng Athorbei	Finance & Economic Planning	Lakes	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
6.	Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin	Information	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
7.	Mr. Michael Makuei Lueth	Parliamentary Affairs	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
8.	Mr. Madut Biar Yiel	Telecommunication and Postal Services	N. Bahr El-Gazal	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
9.	Mrs. Nyanlok Tiong Garluak	Animal Recourses and Fishers	Unity	G. Equatoria	Nuer
10.	Mrs. Awut Deng Achuil	Labour, and Public Service.	Warrap	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
11.	Mr. Lino Makana	Transports and Road	W. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Zande
12.	Mrs Jamie Nunu Komba	Housing & Physical Planning	W. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Zande
13.	Dr. Ann Ito	Agriculture & Forestry	E. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Madi
14.	Mr. John Luk Jok	Legal Affairs & Constitutional Development	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
15.	Dr. Luka Manoja	Health	C. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Bari
16.	Ms. Agnes Losuba	Gender, Social Welfare& Religious Affairs	Central E. State	G. Equatoria	Kakwa
17.	Mr. Stephen Dhieu	Commerce & Industry	Upper Nile	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
18.	Mr. Deng Alor Kuol	Regional Cooperation	Abyei	Abyei	Dinka
19.	Mr. Garang Diing Akuong	Energy & Mining	N. Bhar El Gazal	G. Bhar El Gazal	Dinka
20.	Jemmy Lemi Milla (late)	Cooperatives & Rural Develop.	C. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Pajulu
21.	Dr. Michael Mille Hussien	Education	W. Bahr El-Gazal	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Fertit
22.	Mr. Gabriel Changson Chang	Culture & Heritage	Upper Nile	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
23.	Lt. Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak	Investment	Upper Nile	G. Upper Nile	Shilluk
24.	Mr. Abdallah Albert	Wildelife Conservation & Tourism	E. Equatoria	G; Equatoria	Abakaya
25.		Environment
26.	Mr. Joseph Ukel	Higher Education, Science & Technology	W. Bahr El-Gazel	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Jurchol
27.	Mr. Makuach Teny Yok	Youth, Sports & Recreation	Unity	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
28.	Mr. James Kok Ruai	Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Nuer
29.	Mr. Paul Mayom Akec	Water Resources & Irrigation	Lakes	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
30.	Mr. Pagan Amum Ukac	Peace & CPA Affairs	Upper Nile	G. Upper Nile	Shilluk
31.	Mary Jervas Yak	Human Resource Development	Warrap	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka

S/No.	Name	Commission	State	Region	Tribe
1.	Dr. Pauline Riak	Anti-corruption	Lakes	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
2.	Dr. Deng Dongring	Public Grievances Chamber	Warrap	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
3.	Mr. Steven Wondu	Auditor Chamber	C. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Kuku
4.	Rev. William Chan	Relief & Rehabilitation	Warrap	G. Bahr El Gazal	Dinka
5.	Mr. Jarkuc Barac	De-mining Authority	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
6.	Mr. Peter Guang Akiech	Peace & Reconciliation	Upper Nile	G. Upper Nile	Shilluk
7.	Mr. William Deng Deng	Demobilization, Disarmament Reintegration	Warrap	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
8.	Dr. Bellario Ahoy Ngong	HIV/AIDS	N. Bhar El-Ghazal	G. Bhar El-Ghazal	Dinka
10.	Mr. Isaiah Chol Aruai	Census, Statistic and Evaluation	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
11.	Mr Lawrence Korbandy	Human Rights	W. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Moru
12.	Alakaya Aligo Samson	Reconstruction and Development Fund	C. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Kakwa
13.	Mrs Philister Baya Lawiri	Civil service	E. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Lokoro
14.	Mr. Robert Lado Loki	Land Commission	Central Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Kakwa
15.	Mr. Dhiou Mathok	Employees Justice Chamber	N. Bahr El-Gazal	G. Bhar El -Gazal	Dinka
16.	Mr. Ben Robin Oduho	War disable, Widow & Orphans	E. Equatoria	G. Equatoria	Lotuka
17.	Prof. Ajuoi Magot Chol	Southern Electricity Corporation	Jonglei	G. Upper Nile	Dinka
18.	Mr. Gabriel Mathiang Rok	Southern Sudan Fiscal, Financial Allocation & Monitoring	Lakes	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
19.	Mr. Kawach Makuei	War Veterans	N. Bahr El-Gazal	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
20.	Mr. Daniel Deng Lual	Bureau for Community on Small Arms Control	Warrap	G. Bahr El-Gazal	Dinka
21.	Mr. Koak Guok	Local Government Board	Upper Nile	G. Upper Nile	Nuer

S/No.	Name	Ministry	State	Tribe
1.	Selvatoria Garang Mabior	Finance and Economic Planning ( Finance)	Warrap	Dinka
2.	Aggri Tesi Saboni	Finance and Economic Planning ( Planning)	C. Equatoria	Kuku
3.	Elisabeth Manou Majok	Commerce & Industry	Jonglei	Dinka
4.	William Ater Machiek	Energy and Mining	Lakes	Dinka
5.	Juma Stephen Luga	Telecommunications & Postal  Services	Central Equatoria	Bari
6.	Martin Mou Mou	Education , Science& Technology	Warrap	Dinka
7.	Dr.Olivia G. Lomoru	Health	C. Equatoria	Bari
8.	Eng. Reymond Pitya	Roads & Transport	Central Equatoria	Bari
9.	Ochan John Bongomin	Electricity Corporation	E. Equatoria	Acholi
10.	Dr. Daniel Wani	Wildlife Conservation & Tourism	Central Equatria	Bari
11.	Crispin Abugo Paul	Urban Water Corporation	W. Bhar El-Ghazal
12.	Eng. Isaac Liabwel C. Yol	Water Resource & Irrigation	Lakes	Dinka
13.	Jaden Emilio	Agriculture and Forestry( Forestry )	Central Equatoria	Pajulu
14.		Agriculture and Forestry ( Agriculture)	Warrap	Dinka
15.	Dr. Mokuei Malual	Animal Resources and Fisheries	Warrap	Dinka
16.	Bortel Mori Nyomble	Co-operatives &Rural Development	W.Equatoria	Bari
17.	Mrs Salwa Jebril	President’s Office	Warrap	Dinka
18.	Abdon Agaw	Cabinet Affairs	Jonglei	Dinka
19.	Mark Nyikang Yomon	Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly	Upper Nile	Shilluk
20.	Mrs Rebecca Jashua	Labour, Public service &HRD	Upper Nile	Shilluk
21.	Dr. Julia Aker Duany	Parliamentary Affairs	Jonglei	Nuer
22.	Mr. Majok Guandong	Regional Co-operation	Jonglei	Nuer
23.	Gordon Soro Yisaya	Local Government Board	Central Equatoria	Bari
28.	Justice. Reuben Madol	Judiciary of Southern Sudan	Warrap	Dinka
29.	Jeremiah Sawaka	Legal Affairs& Constitutional Development	C. Equatoria	Bari
30.	Mrs. Margret Matthew Mathiang	Gender, Social Welfare& Religious Affairs	Unity	Nuer
31.	Peter Baptist Abaker	Culture & Heritage	W. Bhar El-Ghazal	Balanda
32.	Justice John Wuol Makec	President, Judiciary S. Sudan	Warrap	Dinka
33.	Justice Chan Rech Madut	Vice President, Judiciary SS	Warrap	Dinka
34.	Mr. Elijah Malok Deng	President, Bank of S. Sudan	Jonglei	Dinka
35	Mr. Cornelio Koryom	Vice President, BOSS	Warrap	Dinka
36.	Mr. Jok Madut Jok	Youth & Sport		Dinka
37.	Mr. Michael George Garang	Information	Jonglei	Dinka
38.	Mr. Ambassador Moh Ajang	Humanitarian Affairs	Upper Nile	Dinka
39.	Mrs Beatrice	Peace & CPA Implementation	C. Equatoria	Kakwa
40.	Mr. Akuei	Investment	Jonglei	Dinka

No.	Name	Position	State	Tribe
1.	1st Lt. Gen. James Hoth Mai	Chief of General Staff SPLA	Upper Nile	Nuer
2.	Lt. Gen. Ping Deng Majok	Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration & Finance	Abyei	Dinka
3.	Lt. General Deng Wek	Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations	Jonglei	Dinka
4.	Lt. General Biar Atem	Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics	Jonglei	Dinka
5.	Lt. General Mabuto Mamur	Deputy Chief of Staff for Moral & Political Orientations	Eastern Equatoria	Lotuka
6.	Lt. General Majak Agot	South Sudan National Security Service (Special Branch)	Jonglei	Dinka
7.	1st Lt. Gen. Achuil Tito	Inspector General Police	Warrap	Dinka
8.	1st Lt. Gen. Agasio A. Tong	Inspector Gen. Prison Service	Warrap	Dinka
9.	1st Lt. Gen. Aru Maan Chot	Inspector Gen. Fire Brigade	Jonglei	Dinka
10.	Major General John Lat	Military Intelligence	Lakes	Dinka
11.	Major General Marial Nuor	Public Security	Lakes	Dinka