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Duk Community Conference in the U.S.A.
Venue: Atlanta, Georgia.
Date: 7/6-8/07
Present: (Executive office) Dhieu Deng Leek, Magai Majok Yuol, Awuol Deng-maguar, Mathiang Bul, Madau Goi, & Simon Luk (Galuak Chop Luk). Absent: Jacob Maleng Ruei, & Aduei Abot.
Present: (Legislative body) Maruon Ayiei, Deng Majok Chuol, Ajak Maker, & Kachuol Mel. Absent: Thon Aleer Chol, Panther Deng Duot, & Maduk Manyang Angok.
Special guest: Rev. Gabriel Mapiou Mun
Attendance: Aleer Mayen (elder), Rev. Zacharia Jok Char, Anondit (elder), Solomon Mading Awan, Chengkuach Mabil, Aleer Lueth, Kachuol Mel, Bayak lem, Ayiik Deng, Hoth Thon, Bol Akum, Langbeny Ruot, Thon Kamic, .................
Introduction: Duk Community Association in the U.S.A. is a community based organization, mainly formed to bring the community members together in order to forge its aims and objectives forward. Its formation began in 2002 and 2003 during the first two conferences held in Michigan. Since then, the organization has been striving and struggling to move forward in order to achieve its set goals. However, there are of course vivid challenges encountered by the former leaderships that didn't make any good progress possible. Those hardships or challenges occurred between the office and the entire community, which scattered in different parts of the country. In spite of that, its prime and principle belief of holding a community general meeting after two years had been very effective. Hence, the meeting that was held this year was the fourth conference in the series of its biennial (ie two-year) meetings.
In fact, all the previous meetings were a little bit dominated by hitches/impediments in the sense that nothing good was felt or achieved after all they meetings. They unfortunate occurrences during the past meetings have gradually deminished the attendance of many people. However, the meeting conducted this year has boosted the great spirit of Duk community across the country. As a result, the community members were struck by a huge sense of hope and euphoria that the organization was moving forward. Thus, It was clear that the corporation had been supported finaniclally at its prime stage by the community.The same gesture made it clear that without the required financial support from the community at its prime stage; then zero progress is likely to dominate its humanitarian business. In addition, the community corporation was proposed for a registration with the government under tax exampt status of 501 (C-3). After that, it will legally operate in a capacity of non-profit making organization, which could get fundings from donars or well wishers in America.
Matters arissing: The main agenda (s) of the conference were pretty much categorized into three phases: Phase 1. Welcoming and opening speeches
Phase 2. Reports by states representatives and the office
Phase 3. Elections
Minute #1: The inception of the meeting was indeed marked by two great speeches from Rev. Gabriel Maipou and Mr. Aleer Mayen who also hosted the meeting in terms of accomodations and losgistics in his home state of Atlanta, Georgia. The third opening speech was presented by the acting president, Mr. Dhieu Deng. All the three speeches were followed by some discussions till the end of the first day. Moreover, the day was another good fortune to meet each other after seven years in America especially to many people who live far apart across the country.
Minute #2: The second phase of the meeting began with reports by states representatives. First and foremost, the most difficult thing in the last few years to date was the issue of money (ie contributions) from individuals in their respective states to the central office. It was clear in the introduction that the organization had been moving in a lower pace at its entire prime stage (ie the beginning phase). Indeed, money became a very important asset or requriement to achieve both long term and short term goals. Over the last few years, many states didn't give their contributions (ie collected money) to the central office.
The reason behind the whole impediment was hard to be predicted. However, the financial reports during the conference was almost a shock to many people who tried in vain to get money out of states to the central office. The amount of money reported by states representatives was about nine thousand US dollars ($ 9,000 or more). Note: the financial department has the records and the right amount of money that was reported to the central office.
Minute #3: The report from the executive office was typed and that document could be attached. In addition, the executive office came up with a T-shirts project for fund raising. There were 300 fabricated T-shirts available for sell @ $20 or more for fund interest. The main goal of that project was to raise $6,000 US dollars. Obviously, many people were moved to purchase a number of T-shirts for friends, families, and even people back home in Duk County. At the last day of the meeting, there were some T-shirts left and the new office should be aware of how many were not issued out. On the lead was the acting president Mr. Dhieu Deng Leek who bought 20 T-shirts for all Payams in Duk County. In addition, many other people were moved in the same way in different capacities.
Moreover, some people were also moved contribute cash plus other valued items out of their own free will to the people of Duk county back home. The following gentle were on the lead among others: Rev. Jacob Tiop Mayen donated $700 for a celebration of Duk County, Majok Atem donated $600 for school uniforms, Deng Monyony (Deng-malou) donated a video camera for Duk County, Ater Lueth danated $200 etc
Minute #4: Election was the most important part of the meeting. Many people were curios of who is going to be the next presdient. In fact, the next two years are very important for Duk community organization to attain certain tangible goals. Hence, good and strong ledership was really anticipated. The elections were carried out in a democratic manner ie the candidates were required to campaign! There were seven positions in the executive and five positions in the board of directors. The positions in the executive office were as under:
President
Vice president
Secretary general
Secretary for treasury
Secretary for planning & economic development
Secretary for communication/information
Secretary for public relations
There were about fifteen (15) candidates who did campaigned for the above positions. As a result, seven out of fifteen scored the majority votes. The two top positions were somewhat crowded during the campaigns, but the "knock out" mode of election didn't give the knocked out candidates a second chance to try other junior positions. The final results were as below:
Executive committee
Mr. Kchuol Mel (president-elect)
Mr. Ayiik Deng (Vice president)
Mr. Bayak Lem (Secretary general)
Mr. Mading Awan (Secretary for treasury)
Mr. Bol Akum (Secretary for communication/information)
Mr. Aleer Galuak (Secretary for planning & economic development)
Mrs. Anok Kuch (Secretary for public relations)
After results' announcement, there was no dispute or recount in any position. The ad hoc committee of four gentle men from the executive and the legislative was commissioned to carry out the elections. They were: Maruon Ayiei, Deng Majok Chuol, Magai Majok, and Madau Goi. At the end, the entire community plus those candidates who didn't make it proved that their job was terrific and clean.
Minute #5: The board of directors will act as a fund developer for this organization and shall also be accountable to IRS as it is legally required in America. The board members were nominated by the show of hand and followed by other member's secondment. As a result, the following gentle were given the challenging task, mainly to register the corporation before the next community conference.
Board of Directors
Mr.Alear MayenRev. Zach Jok Char
Mr. Ater Lueth
Mr. Hoth Thon
Mr. Dominic Deng
Minute #6: Conlusion: The conference ended peacefully and successfully at 2:00 PM eastern time on Sunday. Handing over of the documents to the new office was done in good faith in front of many cameras.
Minute #7: Adjournments: Nothing was adjourn or postpone except the remaining portion of T-shirts. However, many people were willing to take them, but time didn't allow that good spirit of giving to surface. Therefore, a good number of T-shirts were inherited or handed over to the new office.
Minute #8: Next meeting: The next meeting will be in July 2009 (Place & date are not known at this point in time).
Sign. Simon Luk (Galuak Chop Luk).
Out going assistant secretary,
Duk Community Association in the U.S.A.
Galuak Chop Luk, Outgoing Assistance Secretary, Duk USA
From guerrilla movement to political party: The restructuring of Sudan People's Liberation Movement in three southern states
Source: The International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO)
Date: 12 Jul 2007
1. Introduction
In the period January - April 2007 a short survey of SPLM structures, capacity and processes of decision making was conducted in three out of ten states in South Sudan: Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei.(1) These states were selected because of their heterogeneity in terms of political, geographical and ethnical background, but they may not be regarded as fully representative of all states in the Southern Sudan.(2) The study is based on a combination of extensive interviews in the field and the study of key SPLM documents.
2. Background
2.1 SPLM's Political History
Since 1983 SPLM has officially been the overall political body for the rebellion in the Southern Sudan. Formally, Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) has been its military wing, but in reality SPLA has been the dominant part. The leading figures in SPLM were also the leading commanders of SPLA. During the first decade of the war the SPLM as a political movement was most visible within the National Democratic Alliance (3) and in the Diaspora as national chapters in a number of countries worldwide. This changed in the mid-1990s when SPLM emerged as a more independent entity both in terms of representing the Southern rebellion, but also as the civil authority in the areas occupied by SPLA.(4) This change was initiated through the National Convention in Chukudum in 1994 and followed up by a series of more specialised conferences in 1995 and 1996.(5)
However, the reforms of the mid-1990s were partly reversed in 2000 when SPLM/A leadership realised that the Movement at that time could not afford the economical costs and political consequences of the reforms. Civilian structures, often referred to as Civilian Authority of New Sudan (CANS), already partly established at the lower levels of government (county, payam and boma) were maintained but with extremely limited capacity.
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) 9 January 2005 and the establishment of the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) demands that SPLM must go through another phase of change. SPLM has to change its current configuration as an all-compassing political movement and become a political party competing with other parties for the attention and support of the electorate. In doing this the Movement faces two major challenges. Firstly, to change its hierarchical guerrilla structures and move towards a civilian and democratic organisation. Secondly, it is necessary to make a clear distinction between government and party. A party structure was formally established 9 July 2005 together with the inauguration of the Government of South Sudan, but in reality this is a more difficult and long-lasting process. This task is made more challenging by the predominance of one-party politics in the Sudan since independence and a tendency of merging government administration and political party under the notion of a "ruling party".(6) In February 2006 the first steps towards establishing SPLM as a proper political party was announced. Interim Party bodies were introduced at the national, Southern Sudan level and at state level. In January 2007 a large meeting for the SPLM Southern Sector was held in Juba where Salva Kiir announced the year of SPLM and launched a campaign for organising party congresses at grassroots' level and for recruitment of members. In February 2007 a SPLM leadership meeting was held in Yei where resolutions on crucial policy issues were adopted and SPLM's commitment to unity of the Sudan and the New Sudan policy of John Garang was confirmed.(7) However, the first major test of SPLM's ability to transform into a political party and open the field for multi-party elections will be the national elections which probably will take place in 2009. The transition into a political party comes within a difficult national context: There is a growing political distance between SPLM and National Congress Party (NCP).(8) The war in Darfur and NCP's lack of co-operation with the international community drains government budgets; causes international isolation; and, obstructs the international contribution to the reconstruction of the South.
2.2 Brief Description of the Three States Included in the Survey
Eastern Equatoria
Eastern Equatoria (EEQ) is situated at the South-East corner of the Sudan and its population is divided into several ethnic groups where the Latouka is the largest one. The tribes of EEQ rely on a combination of agriculture and livestock herding. The state capital, Torit, is perhaps best known for being the site of the Torit Mutiny in 1955, which was an important pretext to the first civil war in the Southern Sudan (ca. 1963-72).(9) EEQ was heavily affected by the last civil war. Initially the local population of EEQ was not involved in the rebellion against central state in Khartoum and SPLA's relationship with the local population was somewhat strained. This was partly due to a rather militaristic rule in the areas SPLM/A took control over in the 1980s. Later the Eastern Equatorians' support for SPLM/A grew and a common purpose in defeating the "Arabs" of the North united them. The local political elite has still remained somewhat wary of what they perceive as a Dinka dominated SPLM and it is fair to say that their highest political priority remains local autonomy from Khartoum as well as Juba.
Northern Bahr el-Ghazal
Aweil is the main town and state capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NBG). The majority of the population belongs to the Dinka tribe while a minority belongs to smaller tribes, commonly referred to as Jur, mainly living in the Western part of the state. Situated at the border to Northern Sudan and being both on a major north-south road to Bahr el-Ghazal and the railway line to Wau, Aweil has been strongly influenced by Northern culture and economy. The Northern influence is compounded by the fact that albeit besieged and shelled, Aweil was one of the few towns that was never captured by the SPLA during the civil war. The Government of Sudan used Aweil as a base of operation for both the regular army and the Arab Murahalin militia. Despite an oppressive military rule during the civil war. NCP still wield influence in Aweil town and the Southern opposition parties appear to have a stronger foundation here than in Torit/EEQ and Bor/Jonglei. The countryside has been mostly controlled by SPLM/A and the population remains strongly supportive of the Movement.
Jonglei
Jonglei state is a part of Greater Upper Nile Region and Bor is the state capital. The majority of the population belong to the Dinka tribe, but also many from the Nuer, Anuak and Murle tribes live within the state borders. Greater Upper Nile has been and continues to be the less economically and politically developed region in the South. The Greater Bor area (South Bor County, Twic East County and Duk County) has been the heartland of SPLM/A since its inception. The mutiny in Bor 16 May 1983 is regarded as the onset of the second civil war in the Southern Sudan and the participants of this mutiny have constituted an important part of SPLA core members. Still, Bor Town was held by the government during most of the civil war (except for 1989-92). The area was heavily affected by internal divisions within SPLM/A during the 1990s, and the 1991 Bor Massacre is widely known as one of the most massive attacks on civilians during the civil war. NPA conducts a sizable relief, livestock and agricultural development operation in the Northern part of the state.
Notes:
(1) The Norwegian People's Aid's South Sudan Programme staff has been very helpful in facilitating the fieldwork for this project and in providing documents and insights. I would like to give a special thanks to my research assistants in the three states surveyed.
(2) The cases should be seen as examples of Southern states, and they should not be considered as representative of the three regions of the Southern Sudan.
(3) NDA is a coalition of oppositional groups from both the North and the South. Its importance waned as the bilateral negotiations between SPLM/A and NCP gained momentum.
(4) For more details on SPLM in this period: Øystein H. Rolandsen, Guerrilla Government: Political Changes in the Southern Sudan during the 1990s (Uppsala, 2005).
(5) Among others, conferences for Civil Society and Senior Officers of the SPLA.
(6) Cf. National Congress Party and President Nimeri's Sudan Socialist Union of the 1970s and early 1980s.
(7) SPLM Interim National Council, 'Communiqué', Yei, 12 February 2007.
(8) Alex de Waal, 'The Wars of Sudan', The Nation, 19 March 2007.
(9) EEQ is also well-known by many Norwegians as the site of NCA's extensive integrated rural development programme of the 1970s and 80s (see Rolandsen, 2000).
Message: The above article was from sudan.net and was use as an example. We will be posting your article this way. Please come back to read from your friends of Duk County and Jonglei State.
Message from Awuol
www.sudan.net
27 July 2007 - This page contains news articles about Duk County.
Barbara Rose, web designer
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