[Ugnet] A tale of new peace under old tree

[Matek Opoko]

Article Published on: 8th September 2005

A tale of new peace under old tree

By Fr. Carlos Rodriguez WEEKLY OBSERVER There is an old, big tamarind tree in Nimule (South Sudan) where in the 1930s Acholi chiefs (Rwodi, in Lwo) used to meet and hear cases. Rwot George William Lugai, a chief of Pajule almost turning 70, spoke with emotion after touching the bark of the shady tree as he recalled how he used to hear his father talk about that spot when he was still a child. “This tree proves that the people of Northern Uganda and South Sudan are one,” he said with deep emotion. Rwot Lugai was part of a delegation of 40 civil society leaders from Northern Uganda who met August 31 to September 3 with 100 Sudanese counterparts at Nimule, Sudan-Uganda border. The meeting was organised by the Justice and Peace Commissions of Gulu Archdiocese and the Diocese of Torit in Sudan. Religious (Christians and Muslims) and cultural leaders, women and youth delegates, local counsellors and others were present. The fact that they had come from Acholi, Teso, Lango and West Nile gave a strong signal about Northern Uganda’s effort in unity for peace, the fruit of many years of quiet and patient work. Since 2001, these cross-border meetings between Ugandans and Sudanese have taken place, although mostly among clergy and always in Gulu. On this occasion, the Ugandans went to Sudan “to visit our grandparents’ home”, as Archbishop John Baptist Odama put it. “Our grandparents’ home is now quiet,” the Archbishop said. “And it should help the grandchildren (the Ugandans from the North) to achieve peace too,” he added. People in Sudan rightly feel overjoyed because of their own peace agreement. “We never thought that we could sit at the same table to talk peace with the Arabs, but we did it,” said one of the SPLA generals. How the Sudanese reached their Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was something Ugandans were anxious to hear about. Brig. Gen. Johnson Juma Okot, a senior SPLM/SPLA figure, explained the main aspects of the Machakos protocol on separation of religion and state (which leaves the South free of the Sharia law); sharing oil wealth on an equal basis; power sharing in a government of national unity. Also security issues, particularly the distribution of troops, which will see the SPLA taking full control of the South after two years. Presently the SPLA is in a process of redeployment – and soon they should undergo re-training to keep security in times of peace. What about dealing with the LRA, still menacingly present in South Sudan? The SPLA has good intentions, but that is all for now. “In the future” former militias shall not be allowed to operate anywhere in Sudan. But now the SPLA – following the terms of the CPA – is more concerned with its own transformation and redeployment than confronting any threatening armed group. In South Sudan, views on dealing with this insecurity are similar to those in Acholi; high praises and expectations from Betty Bigombe’s current mediation efforts. If Kony’s armed cult is still threatening, relations between the people from South Sudan and Northern Uganda look brighter than ever. “Respect the boundaries, encourage the relationships,” was a much repeated appeal during the meeting. “LRA atrocities should not prevent our brotherhood,” said a Sudanese leader. There are plans to bring together 100 leaders from each side in another cross-border meeting in Gulu. Not even Dr. John Garang’s recent death can break up that relationship. In sharp contrast to violent riots in Juba and Khartoum in August and statements full of suspicion in the Ugandan media, ordinary people and SPLA officials believe the unfortunate death was “an accident”. They are patiently waiting for findings of the international investigation team. The workshop ended September 3 with a funeral prayer for the late John Garang, led by Archbishop Odama. Feelings of unity and reconciliation in the new peaceful Sudan are for real: “Go back and tell all Ugandans that we are one people and we have no ill-feelings concerning Dr. Garang’s death,” said an SPLA brigadier. SPLA’s Col. Emilio Iga was even clearer: “Whether you come from Gulu, West Nile, Pader, Kitgum, Lango or Teso, come back to Sudan to see your ancestors’ home”. The old tamarind tree at Nimule will stand for generations as a witness. [EMAIL PROTECTED] (077-623078)

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