By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
THEY came, saw and chanted for visiting South Sudanese political figure Wani Tombe in Dandenong last Tuesday.
Dr Tombe was feted with several standing ovations – as well as uplifting chants sung in full voice – as he spoke out for the removal of South Sudanese president Salva Kiir and his Dinka-tribe government at a 200-strong public meeting at St Mary’s School hall.
Dr Tombe chairs political group Greater Equatoria Council of Rights (GRECOR), which backs rebels in a six-month violent conflict in South Sudan – the world’s youngest nation.
The United Nations estimates 1.3 million have left their homes and thousands have been killed since fighting in mid-December.
There are reports of government military killing Neur-tribe civilians en masse in the city of Juba.
Last week, the UN stated if the ceasefire didn’t hold, famine could ensue.
Dr Tombe – who has recently toured Canada and the US – described the Juba killings as a “massive genocide” against Neur people.
Many women, children and men – including “your loved ones and our loved ones” – had borne the brunt of the bloodshed, he said.
He told of 20 headless babies being delivered to a hospital. “This, my dear sisters and brothers, is a challenge to our humanity.”
He called for reforming the country’s politics, judiciary and military, for a “democratic constitution” and a “government that does not butcher its own citizens”.
“You and us (GRECOR) are going to stand together not against tribes but actions and intentions that undermine our humanity.
“The best allies you can have are Equatorians. It is time we came together to design the kind of South Sudan that we believe in.”
When he said the Equatorian and Neur nations would be allies for the next 500 years, the audience stood as one, chanting and dancing rapturously for several minutes.
The night was organised by the South Sudanese Community in Victoria.
Member Changkouth Mangij told the Journal the night was an opportunity for people to get accurate information on the conflict; the South Sudanese government so tightly controlled its domestic media.
Last week UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged an end to continued military fighting, which had violated two ceasefire agreements.
“He stressed the need for both parties to abide by these agreements and end all military operations immediately,” a UN spokesman said.
