Date: 19/06/2024 Hol Youth in Toch e Lang and Kawer want to express our deep concern and condemnation regarding the recent false accusations made by Ayual Youth against Hol community. On June 16, 2024, Ayual Youth falsely accused Hol Youth of trespassing and conducting raids on their cattle camps in Wangulei Twic East County. The Ayual Youth, along with their supporters on social media, propagated this unfounded allegation. It has not only damaged the reputation of the Great Hol Community, but has also deepened the tension and ongoing conflict between the two communities.
Our investigations and testimonies from credible sources and witnesses, including Kaam/Dachuek’s press statement of yesterday, have confirmed that these accusations were baseless and malicious. The Hol Youth have always adhered to the principles of respect, peace, and coexistence and have no involvement in the alleged incident or whatsoever. Such false claims undermine the peace of our neighbouring communities, hindering their ability to live in harmony and collaborate towards sustainable peace within Jonglei State.
We demand the Ayual Youth leadership and the entire Ayual community to publicly retract these accusations and issue a formal apology to the Hol Youth. In addition, we call upon Twic East community leaders, elders, and stakeholders to condemn such propaganda that will endanger the relationship between the two counties.
While Hol’s people were in jail in Bortown, Ayual went for revenge. This was a complete disregard for law and order. Choosing this path will not only complicate this conflict, but also send a clear signal to the Ayual community that they will never engage in other hostilities as they did with Dachuek and Kongor previously. They will learn a valuable lesson from Hol that they will remember for generations to come.
Furthermore, it is imperative that the Nyarweng community clarify their stance regarding their allegiance to Duk County. Ayual Youth’s cold-blooded murder of eight individuals and 10 wounded people from Toch e Hol has left nearly the entire Hol community in shock, given that the Nyarweng Community has already publicly acknowledged Ayual’s apology for the deaths of its two members in Lang. While Nyarweng may have accepted Ayual’s apology and compromised the lives of their deceased,
it’s important to note that Hol will not and never sell the souls of her people for cheap politics. As such, the Nyarweng community must decide whether they are part of Duk County or if they are aligning themselves with the Ayual Youth, who have shown a blatant disregard for human life and justice.
Nyarweng has long been working against the Hol community in Duk County on a variety of issues. For example, recent instances of disseminated songs prompted Ayual to seek revenge against Hol in Lang. Senior artists from Nyarweng’s community, government officials, and youth leaders, including DCYA Chairperson Aleer Aleer, were also involved in composing and funding the disseminated songs, as well as writing press statements that condemned and betrayed the Hol community.
All of these actions have further strained Hol and Nyaerweng’s trust and relationships. As a result, Hol will not leave the enemy behind and engage in front- line warfare with the Ayual community; instead, Hol will confront the enemy within before engaging in hostilities with the Ayual community, unless Nyarweng clarifies her stance.
As the artist legend Panchol Deng Ajang stated in his song, “An enemy within is worse than an enemy from outside.” Similarly, U.S. President George W. Bush stated during the September 11 attacks that, “Either you are with the people of the United States or with the terrorists.” Therefore, the Nyarweng community must unequivocally declare whether they are part of the Duk or Ayual community.
We also urge other sections of the Twic East community to maintain composure, maintain a neutral stance, and resist succumbing to the Ayual community’s unfounded propaganda. It is crucial for the Twic East community, particularly the Ayual community, to understand that the Nyarweng community will only encourage violence against Hol through derogatory songs and gossip.
However, when reality sets in, Nyarweng will not stand by your side in your fight against the mighty Hol community. Historical evidence has shown that Nyarweng does not assist her allies and friends in times of need and conflict. For instance, in 2008 and 2009, when Lou Nuer from
the neighbouring counties attacked Hol, only Adhiok and Kongor Youth dispatched an expedition to defend Hol Youth from Lou Nuer’s onslaught. You are trading with the wrong partner. If you need a genuine and helpful partner in Duk County who can show up in the dire hour of need, then go to Duk-Padiet, Duk Pagaak, and Duk Panyang; otherwise, if you rely on Duk Payuel, you are digging your own grave.
Moreover, Hol Youth in Toch extends our gratitude to the Dachuek Youth/community for their prompt clarification on the false accusations. Their commitment to truth and justice is commendable. As such, Hol Youth will be willing to partner with the Kaam community on issues related to Kadiang and explore how the question of land dispute can be address peacefully between our two sisterly counties of Twic East and Duk County
. Additionally, we thank the Kongor and Adhiok communities for maintaining neutrality in this matter. Your impartiality is vital to ensuring peaceful co-existence between Duk and Twic East County.
Lastly, the Jonglei State Government must take immediate and decisive action to bring to justice those Ayual’s youth who committed crimes against Hol youth in Toch e Lang. If the government fails to address this matter urgently, Hol Youth will have to retaliate. Such retaliation could have dire and devastating consequences for the Ayual community and their sympathizers. Therefore, we call upon the government of Jonglei State to fulfil its duty to protect all citizens and prevent further escalation of violence by jailing those who committed crimes or Ayual’s chiefs.
