Major Gen: James Gat-hoth Gatkuoth meet with Nasir county members on Sunday December 24, 2006 at 4: 00 - 8: 00 PM at Free First Evangelical Church in Omaha, Nebraska.  

Minutes of the meeting

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4: 00 PM stating meeting:

Introduction: Nasir is a mother of three counties; the four counties originated from Nasir. Nasir is well known town in among all towns in Southern Sudan during the british Colonial. Nasir was a maine station for American missioners since 1929. Today, Nasir was expanded into four counties according to South Sudanese peace agreement which was sighed between SPLM/A, and Sudan Government. it's good opportunity for all Jikany to have four counties; Maiwut, Longichuk, and Ulang counties, and each county run it's administration separately. Nasir was a founder town during the Britain colonial. Nasir name was originated from Kuanylual Thioan, and also Kuanylual-Thian was originated from “Nyawum” Anyuak word meaning. Nasir is an Arab name.

Nasir People under four counties were the founder of First Movement of the South Sudanese in 1963 when all American missioners left Sudan due to Sudan Islamic law were applied on the Southerners , all Nasirian students under missioner school run away from Sudan to all eastern Africa borders Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and ETC to establishing the First Movement. Nasir is one of the well-known town in among all towns in Southern Sudan. Today, Nasir become a county itself with its Payams, and also it stands a lone with it's people who are around Nasir areas. The people of Nasir, Ulang, Longichuk, and Maiwut are working together as same way they use to do when they were under Nasir town, there is no change at all, the system still same as Jikany people in eastern Upper Nile.

Major General: Gat-hoth Gatkuoth, Nasir county commissioner

The Nasir current commissioner is Major Gen: Gat-hoth Gatkuoth, he was high school student before he joint the SPLM/A, and then, since 1983, he fled to Bilpaam, Ethiopia where SPML/A military camp established. Gat-hoth became well known supporter of SPLM/A movement, he was sent to military course in Cuba, during his returning back to Ethiopia, he became a deputy of Gat-hoth May in Kuanylow, and fought for many years with Any Any two, when DK Koat Mathew, the former of Upper Nile has fled a way from Sudan to Ethiopia where all South Sudanese live in, DK has a plan to Unite the SPLM/A and Any Any two under Gordon Koang Chol is also a Nasirian by birth. Major Gen: Gat-hoth gatkuoth has a full military background story.

Nasir county, and Ulang county commissioner visiting the Nasirian in Unite State of America is to solve the differences which was occurred since 200. Duer Tut Duer and Major Gen: Gat-hoth Gatkuoth came to U.S. to discuss the issues of four splitting groups with in Nasir Community Association (NCA) itself. The commission came from Africa to U.S. to encourage all Nasirian, Ulang, Longchuk, and Maiwut people to go to help their people back home for developing of their counties in Southern Sudan.

Starting Meeting

Information: James Tharjiath kuon from-Maker Payam informs the members of Nasir county members meeting hall to site down quietly, and listening the strong word from James Gat-hoth Gatkuoth. Lastly; no one will leave and come in without informing from the person who in the charge of this event. Let all people who are outside of the building to come in, and start our meeting.

John Chuol mai from-Kuerenge Payam, also inform the Nasir county members and introduce the commissioner. Lady and gentlemen, let us all welcomes the commissioner to podium, and start meeting with briefing.

Major Gen: Gat-hoth Gatkuoth is briefing all Jikang members who are in the meeting hall to leave, and later they will come back about three hours. Jikany meeting in general will be started their meeting if Ulang’s commissioner Duer Tut will finished the Ulang county members meeting, I couldn't’t meet with Jikany a lone, he said. Nasir county meeting will only take four hours, starting at 4:00 PM – 8: 00 PM.

The beginning of the meeting: Nasir county commissioner Gat-hoth Gatkuoth say thank to every one, and I appreciated what was happened in Nasir community's general meeting yesterday in Lincoln, Nebraska, because all Gajiok became united under one community names“ Dueny Union” dueny mean grand mother of Cie-Nyalieth, Cie-lang, and Gaguang.

Financial briefing and splitting: The people from Nasir down there in Southern Sudan need your your help, specially for the development and other services what people needs, event your vote is very concern. The splitting case was over yesterday at Lincoln convention conference.

In southern Sudan we have problem concerning for the development of our county, because the budget from Southern Sudan is not yet received, and we hop this year, the budget will be received soon it can, according to CPA agreement which has been made, the 2% of Oil for Upper Nile was mentioned during implementation of the peace that there will be a 2% for Upper Nile State. I heard it this week, 2 months % has received in Malakal the capital city of Upper nile. Next two months everything will be started smoothly, probably starting on February 15, 2007, for further more information, you can read all papers of strategic planning structure which I have it here.

5:15 – 5:35 PM Break time

continue the meeting ---

Project strategic planning structure: Let me read this paper for you guys, and you will know what is going on there, all these papers have already sent to State government of Upper Nile, Nasir county commissioner is trying to read the papers, but he did not make it, because his eye glass is not present during the meeting, for that reason; one elder Mr. Dak Ruach was ordered by Nasir county commissioner to read all papers to all Nasir county members. Dak Ruach has a hard time to pronounce the “Payam and Buma”, then, Nasir county commissioner came up on podium to help him for how to pronounce Payam and Buma, also the commissioner explaining the meaning of these two names; Payam, and Buma. These papers were also sent to Khartoum, Sudan to add them on the Sudan system of the strategic planning structures. We already have designed the survey in Nasir county, the survey will be cut it short from Tuonyaath to Koat if will be possible. And we need to know how many meter squire feet. Survey three centimeter squire feet, example; Wath-war is 1 km, it was cost three hundred Sudanese found, to converted to U.S. $120.00 dollar for red soil from Mabaan. Nasir Air port needs three hundred truck loads with red soil from Mabaan. The road should be constructed this year, its good example if you driving from Nasir to Renk it’s only take nine hrs, it is easy now because we have a road, and you can not spend many days from Nasir to Guelguk and then from guel-Guuk to Pagaak. The road will be open from winter time till summer.

Nasir county women dress with gray uniform

We have strategic planning: Long term and short term planning from: 1-15 number:

shoos one from this list if you have a plan to do some thing for your people back home. And additional to this, if I miss anything, you need to give a new idea you have, we welcome you to give it to us, and we will add in to these programs, we need your suggestion for strategic planning structure of the development of our county. Let me give you chance for question please:

Information: John Chuol Mai; we are now OK. We the son of Nasir, it’s a time us to understand all words from Nasir commissioner for the development of our county, if we will not develop our county, we are nothings. And secondly every one of you most turns off his/her cellophane and you will raise up your hand to answer and question the commissioner. Thank so much and continue the meeting.

Questioning, and Answers:

Q: William Deng Dhiech from (Maker Payam), the church evangelist: I thank you Mr. Hoth for all things I heard about you, and today I am really satisfy for what I am hearing from you today, event if you need to contest this position again for next election, you can win it surely, according to your strategic planning you design for the county development, And also I have a suggestion need to be added on your development planning: would you add one bridge from Nasir County to Mataar Ethiopia? I am very happy for this wonderful meeting today. I surprise with the word I heard from you, which I never heard it before from our historical background from all our leader. Mr, Dhiach said.

A: William's question is concerning about one more Bridge need to be added; I agree with what you suggested, and we will add it on Strategic planning structure. The reason why we put the first plan at Wanding’s bridge, because is too fare from us. If some thing is happening over there, we can not run very past to rescue them from Wanding, if you use motor Boat, we could not make it, and now we add the second plan for bridge from "Jiath Chingkam" to "Mataar" where the Ethiopian police Station was established, the second Bridge will add it on the program. This is strategic plan.

Q: David Lual Yiech from Dingkaar Payam: thank very much, all things you talking about are all crucial. All things I have been hearing about you is so good. The wonderful thing you did for your coming to America is very significance, you brought Gat-duoth with you, and attending this meeting with you, I am also happy for that, and also you remain us for his leadership historical background, your remembering Gat-douth’s term is very significance for all of us. Gat duoth is only one elder remain with us, we lost all our elders, which is really painful for in our hearts; Dei Weang, Pidak Lieth, and Giet jal all were gone. Please Gat-duoth we are happy to see you here today.

My question is concerning for your coming to Unite State. all structures you design on your paper are really OK. I am Lual Yiech , here is my question. Are you coming here in U.S. by your decision or there is some one or certain group of people who call you to come to U.S?

A: Mr. Lual's question: Our coming to visit you in U.S. was responded by USAID John Mark. No one can response our traveling from Southern Sudan to U.S, our coming here to U.S. was cost $28, 000.00 U.S. dollars during the traveling. we came here for your differences which was occurred long time ago in Diaspora, your splitting into many parts, that was the main thing led us to U.S. you are educators, and you also need to help your people for the development in Southern Sudan. Nasir county women group in Omaha Nebraska were welcome the Nasir county commissioner with good traditional song.

Q: Wal Gatwech Tang from Dingkaar Payam: Thank very much, because you recognize me today, and yesterday, I tried to raise up my hand to have a word of encouragement, and today it’s wonderful time tonight for me to get a chance. My question is concerned about Payam: I am a SSDF member. We have nine Payam in Nasir County, you said, I have two questions: 1 st-How many people represent Payam. 2 nd How many employees per Payam?

A: “workers or employees” one of the Payam has 24,000 people for one Payam, they have schools, Police Station. Employment: we have 500 employees; executive’s workers per Payam; Ex Nyang Ruach is Controlling two Payam of Maker, and Mading.

Q: Lam thot Moang from Kueringe: I have two questions. 1 st- Do we have logo? 2 nd- Do we have flag? 3 rd-in short term, and for your long term strategic plan. How long do you want to start the survey? We need to buy a land for houses.

A: This is a Logo, and here is shield represent upper Nile state, Nile river represented the people of Subate, and “Ken” Egret mean Gaat-kena: Dhuol, and Yoal, but little bit problem Gaguang was remain with river, but egret not include them, I think Peter Rek has same question with Peter Lam.

Q: Peter Riek Dak from Maker Payam: I have questions which concern for Payam representatives; 1st- How many representatives per Payam. 2 nd- How many people fit for Payam. 3 rd, How many chiefs controlling the Payam.

A: “workers or employees” one of the Payam has 24,000 people for one Payam, they have schools, Police Station. Employment: we have 500 employees; executive’s workers per Payam; Example Mr Nyang Ruach is Controlling two Payam of Maker, and Mading.

Encouragement: Nyalol Dup from Roam Payam: I am encouraging children of Nasir county members, and I am very happy today because our leader has visited us here in U.S., I am very happy to see Gat-hoth Gatkuoth, Please children show the love to one another, I hope tonight there will be no telephone call. Telephone is really problem in U.S., it make the communication very easy, event those who live in Canada are easily to talk to those who live in U.S. I can encourage you leave telephone alone for all allegations you talk about on the phone, they are no good at all, I don’t like telephone event now I have no telephone line at my home.

6: 45 – 7: 00 PM break time:

Continue the Meeting--

Q: Dak Ruach from Nasir Payam: how can I say, can I say Nasir a wa -yieee, or county we yieeeh. This gathering is good or not. D.k what he did in Juba was very importance during Any Any one, due to his effort that why you are here in U.S., and secondly what you did was same with what DK did. Gat-duoth, did I talked to you in 1996?. Yes you you talked to me he said, I told you that that, your time was over for leadership. We are organized here in U.S., if not; USAID may not send our commissioners to come to us. My question is concern for South Sudanese budget. Where the budget of 560 ml which was mention before

A: Dak ruach Budget: the explanation for recognition of Dk Koat Mathew’s leadership when he save us during his term with Abel Alier, and Joseph lagu, it was good opportunity for all of us we the Nasirian or Nuer in general.

Q: Pal Gatkuoth ruei from Roam Payam: I don’t know my Payam, if the Payam is base on people who have bleed relation. Second briefing to you, we need free freedom, because we will be not be afraid to go there in Southern Sudan. My question is basses on our county name, Nasir names was replace with Luokpiny county event if you try to search Nasir name on the internet, you could not get it, Did you changed Luokping’s name on the your documents or in Southern Sudan head office in Juba?.

A: The election is only three years term, when peace was signed we have four or three system of the governmental unity; southern Sudan, States and counties. According to this new government system parties; SPLM, SUDF, SSDF, and etc, according to the party policy system, I can contest another post if wan it, but in the system rule, no one can run post three time, next term election it’s a chain for other people run. Southern Sudan has one system in Southern, during the declaration, four general were remained, because CPA has mentioned that there is no 3 rd army in Southern Sudan, that why you heard the bad news in Malakal incident course by Militia groups under Major Gen: Tanginge, and the result of the war led the Militia groups to North Sudan, they will not stay in the Southern Sudan any longer.

Nasir county is governmental degree go to internet and delete Luokping name, and replace with Nasir.

Q: James Tharjiath Kuon from Maker Payam: thank very much for your coming, I knew you in 1987 in Itang Refugee camp in Ethiopia, and I give you many thank because you became our commissioner, my question is concern for your strategic planning structure of our county. Gaa-guang have one Payam or two, I heard rumors saying that those who representing the Gaaguang Payam are from Gaajiok or Cie-Nyalieth, 1 st- it’s true or not? 2 nd- Would you include Gaa-guang on county’s flag, or redesign the flag of our county?

A: Not any civilian or illiterate who will fit for government position without training, you must train first for management. You are lucky now; one person from you is qualify for this position by chance, is from “Nyang”. About the Logo you talked about, we only add water color because we all live on Sobat river, about the egret meaning on the county flag is descendents of “Gaat-kena” if it fail we can re-do it again, Example how many years we spend for “Thian’s flag” same things it will take us time to re-design, and go step by step.

Q: Thabor Deng Ding from Roam Payam: my question will base on the Development, now you bass on schools, hospitals, and road, what about the farmers. My education field study is agriculture. How can we help them? I talked to you by phone and you said you have 16 structures planning, and now you have only nine. And lastly who is your assistance now?

A: Thabor, from your question you asking for is already on the strategic plan structure on “number eleventh”.

You most choose one from number “1-15” for the development, and select or mark one from the list we have, go with it. Example, if you shoos Airstrip planning it will be good for you.

Suggestion planning: All Nasir county members may have a contribution for $25.00 dollar per person; $10 dollar for Nasir County, $10 dollar for your Payam, and $5.00 dollar for your critical condition which is your Life insurance, we can keep them in the bank of the Nasir County for the future planning.

Q: Wiyual Mut Tip from Wanding Payam: My question is concern for Cie-kuek returning to Wanding, What the progress for Cie-kuek now to return back home?

A: The government of Southern Sudan is working now occupy land by tribal war in Southern Sudan. All civilian were disarmed, only the government of Southern Sudan has the power now. I heard the bad news yesterday by phone from Africa. Morilie tribes attacked Adura/Thiajak, that was very bad, we don’t need to be happened again somewhere else.

Nasir county members

8: 00 PM Closing meeting:

Lady and gentlemen, our meeting is close right now, and lastly, please be united as one family under new representative we elected yesterday in Lincoln Nebraska. The new representatives list will send to Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth the representative of SPLM/A in Washington D.C.

My advice to you guys, you must be careful for the politic role you play here in U.S. Example, like what was happened from Mr Dep Taw went to Nasir and run his own separate government in Nasir county, Nasir county is not fit for the person who declare another government, you may go to Juba and declare yourself to stablishe the new government if it will be possible. I heard the rumors about him, he declare him to join SPLM/A the government of Southern Sudan, that the good news for him, and I appreciated. The only things need to hearing from you guys, you con help us instead to go to South Sudan and Divided, we don’t like that, and also we need doctors, like what was happen some months a go, we have12 trainees Nairobi, Kenya, we need qualify people educationally to help us in Nasir county.

Now it’s chance for our elder and the former governor of Upper Nile DK Daniel Koat Mathew to give us thank and conclude the meeting for prayer. And also we have 160-200 members’ attendees from Canada, and U.S. Thank very much have a new year, and God bless us.