Chollo community leaders urge Olony, Abudhok to ‘forgive’ one another

JUBA – A number of Chollo community leaders in diaspora are urging the newly appointed governor of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, Abudhok Ayang, and former SPLM-IO Upper Nile state gubernatorial nominee, General Johnson Olony Thabo, to forget egos and forgive one another after General Johnson Olony said he don’t accept decision by main armed opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny to replace him.

Olony has been the SPLM-IO nominee for Upper Nile state for over seven months with President Salva Kiir Mayardit saying he don’t want Olony as governor in the oil-rich state as he accused him of being a warmonger who will jeopardize reconciliation efforts in the state.

Machar eventually replaced Olony with Abudhok after a last minute attempt to convince General Olony to return to Juba ahead of his appointment failed. Abudhok was instead appointed and several SPLM-IO commander expressed disappointment over the change.

In a statement on Friday, Chol Giel Obwony, Chollo community leader in Kenya, Aban Akwock Kur, the Chollo community leader in Egypt, Nyibil Amum Okiech, the Chollo Community leader in Australia, and William Dak Goldiet, the Chollo Community leader in Canada, urged the two men to reconcile and keep their unity.

“We the under signed, Collo Community leaders in diasporas, take this opportunity to appeal to you our brothers and sisters in Agwelek, under the leadership of Lt General Johnson Olony Thabo, to keep the rank and the file united. Bear with each other and forgive one another to prevent divisions among you,” the statement extended to Sudans Post reads in part.

“We very much appreciate your wise stance and decision regarding the governor. By that you have demonstrated much wisdom and understanding and avoided the trap of divide rule that wanted you to fall into. Having come so far please keep your eyes on the ball to abstain Cassandra wishes. Stay focused on that same course and cause for which you took up the path of struggle for justice and equality,” they added in the statement.

“Don’t be distracted from that noble mission. Building trust and confidence: We call upon Lt Gen. Johnson Olony Thabo and Hon. Governor Obudhok Ayang Aney to coach and mentor each other by sharing their strategic view and vision through regular communication for enhancement of teamwork to serve the best interest of Collo nation as well as people of Upper Nile and South Sudanese at large.

“Repatriation of Collo people to their ancestral lands: We urge the newly appointed governor Hon. Obuthok Ayang Aney to prioritize repatriation of illegal settlers from Collo lands to their original lands and to arrange for a secure return of Collo people to their ancestral lands.

“Congratulation to people of Upper Nile: Equally, we seize opportunity to congratulate dear people of Upper Nile State and the entire South Sudanese for the appointment of their governor, Hon. Obudhok Ayang Aney.

“With this appointment it is our sincere hope that a new era, has been ushered in, an era of mending of the broken social fabrics, reconciling our people (who have forgotten that they belong to each other), and of the return to normalcy and peaceful coexistence.

“Most important also the return of our people in the IDPs, refugee camps and POCs to their original places who have borne the brunt of the war and suffering. We urge the peace partners to cooperate with new Governor to provide security and stability in the Upper Nile State to expedite return of the people of Upper Nile to their areas as per 1956 border.

“It is a matter of great urgency that our ethnic communities learn to live together side by side in a spirit of mutual respect. Peace is not unity in similarity, but unity in diversity and in tolerating and accepting of each other.”