South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Ustaz John Juan Dong
Advisor to the Managing Director of NilePet on Community Development
Dear Community Committee of Guit County of Unity State, Republic of South Sudan, I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude and respect for the wisdom and guidance you provide our community. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the value of elderly, by the elderly for the honor of elderly in our communities.
The Lord promises His continued love and concern for the elderly. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you (Isaiah 46:4).
Dear elected Community Committee members of Guit County of Unity State, and gallant sons and daughters of the Republic of South Sudan. Thanks to our Governor Justice Riek Biem for the recent establishment of his state government as approved by H.E Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit President of the Republic of South Sudan. It’s my mandate and joy on behalf of my age mate to inform your respective offices that we are now on the journey of implementing peacefully, honestly, and faithfully the Order of God as hereby follows:
Genesis 1:26-27 (NIV) states:
“You man and woman, go to the earth, be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule all the fish of the seas and all the birds of the air, and all animals wild and tamed. Even the creeping creatures that crawl upon the earth”
This highlights the creation of humanity and emphasizes the idea that humans are made in the image of God and to serve in the interest of God. In God we believe and serve.
The present government of the Republic of South Sudan, presided over by H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit established and constituted States and Counties where you are today elected. Similar was the process of creation as God followed His steps.
As elders and indeed South Sudan fraternity, it’s pleasurable to honor our first President alongside the entire government of the Republic of South Sudan and other colleagues. These strong freedom fighters of the three movements of Torit Mutiny 1955 to Addis Ababa Accord 1972, the second movements of 1981 and that of the SPLA/SPLM 1983 that achieved independence on 9th of July 2011 are heroes. This clearly testifies how the Order of God mentioned above is executed. We are currently being honored having President Kiir Mayardit and his Comrade Community Elders. To this standing, the Republic of South Sudan which he established and now NO, (93) in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is a clear manifestation and fulfillment of God’s Order of Man and Woman to go to the Earth and be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.
It’s within this grace of God and love for his people that the establishment of 1981 Local Government Act in former Sudan, resulted into the promotion of Bentiu Rural Council to become “Western Upper Nile Area Council (WUNAC)” with its headquarters in Bentiu in 1981, the very time I was the Acting A/Commissioner of Western Nuer district (WND). The 1981 Local Government Act laid grounds for me to separate Pariang Administration from Bentiu District Administration to become the (fourth) separate Rural Council within Western Upper Nile Area Council. The new system of 1981 Local Government Act, further led to the establishment of Unity State in 1994. Leer Rural Council which I had already separated in November 1977 from Bentiu under 1971 Local Government Act of Gaafer Mohamed Ali Bakhit, to recommend late Gai Chuol their Community Elder whom they elected through Local Government competition elections to compete with his other colleagues from the three Rural Councils, Bentiu, Mayom and Pariang for the Chairmanship of Western Area Council, Bentiu for which he succeeded and became the first Chairman of Bentiu Area Council under 1981 Act. This high level of democracy through the unified system of peace, unity and security, are the light of happiness that established Bentiu Area Council as Unity State in Feb. 1994. After thirteen years as an Area council, we upgraded through a strong administrative report as well as economic financial capability to the high central level technical committee chaired by Dr. Ali Elhaj chairman of people’s local government bureau for the establishment of 26 States for Sudan from which 10 States for the South. Our official technical and Administrative report of the geographical view sidelined with respect to the combination of Bentiu with Panjak to become one State as recommended by the former Governor of greater Upper Nile State. And in Feb.1994 the Presidential decree was out for the establishment of Unity State. And the first governor was late Thomas Kume Kan. The fruit result is, the whole Area Council of WUNAC became Unity State, celebrating God’s Order world over. To prove God’s follow- up creation of human being how to settle on earth.
Dear Community Leaders, the embraced historical perspective of County fresh elections conducted on the 19th of November 2024 is a reflection of natural system of mankind to keep the everlasting Order of God. Everlasting Order of God is recollected as per the list of membership, and herein was the executive committee on behave of the general community leaders elected.
Mr. Peter Puok Liah Gatdet, chairman
Mr. Guek Stephen Gatwech, Deputy Chairman
Mr. Jok Mayik Koam, Secretary General
Mr. Jal Reat Kol, Secretary of Finance
Mr. Nyuor Rieng Patai, Speaker of the Council
As united elders, let us be beacons of faithfulness, honesty, and integrity values, guiding our community towards a brighter and more harmonious future. A respectful Community leadership of devoted believers of God encourages dialogue and understanding, especially in moments of conflict.
A peaceful community is one where love and respect flourish. Upholding honesty in our dealings fosters trust and integrity. Let us be models by this behavior and inspire others to do the same, ensuring that our community thrives on transparency and truthfulness. Faithfulness to our commitments strengthens our bonds. Encourage everyone to remain steadfast in their promises and responsibilities, reflecting the unwavering love and loyalty that our faith teaches us. God created man and woman to live peacefully with honest on earth. Proverbs 11:3 says: “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. “Proverbs 20:28 further strengthens that “Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.” Let us preach love, peace and oneness despite the ethnic differences. Our ancestors made the Earth stands peacefully firm as was created. With unity even floods of unnecessary high waters that is extensively deadly will be temporal and shall immediately disappear. The devilish killings within counties will cease. Peaceful relationship between Dinka and Nuer will be enjoyed forgetting about the past. We should forgive and forget. Memories in regard to stand off during Turkey-Egyptian rule to Sudan (1821-1898) and also during the Anglo-Egyptian rule to Sudan (1898-1956) and the associated wars against their neighbors through Beni-Shangols Mountain to the eastern part of the country South Sudan will be a testimony of strength. Boarders between us and other Counties shall go back to their normal administrative size as it had been, and government authorities in Regional and Central Government shall obviously respect such life claim. Cultivation of different kind of seeds shall happily make interest to human life activities as it used to be when we were children in reference to God’s order above. The jungle forest which covered the whole South Sudan in those days from Latitude 4 Decree N until Latitude 10:0 N. And from 29 Degree East Greenwich to 36 Degree East, all shall be restored to normal as was with our childhood in the beginning of creation of God.
Finally, dear elected community Association Committee it’s my humble honor to invite you to the house of a mother. An elder who practically witnessed the life of how our fathers and grandfathers while implementing the God’s Order with honesty and faith. As children and boys in particular, we fed our breakfast naturally from the green land while cows and calves were grazing. By gracing this invite God’s name and power of creation will be glorified.
May the elderly leadership be filled with God’s love, integrity and compassion, always considering the well-being of those they serve.
The writer is an advisor to the Managing Director of NilePet on Community Development
