It is quite obvious that some members of the Anyuak community do not want to see peace prevail between the Nuer and Anyuak. Since President Omot and Thankuey were removed from power due to their support of violence or inept leadership, five Nuer have so far lost their lives on Mrs Alemitu’s reign.
This started not long after she became the leader with the killing of a children coach and a teacher Ato Duoth in Gambella apparently by an Anyuak from Openo. This was followed by the killing in Itang of an elderly man in his farm also by an Anyuak from Openo.
The third death is unconfirmed by Gambella Vision but at the time, there were reports of a Nuer refugee allegedly choked to death in Fugnido Refugee Camp.
The victim was trying to travel to Gambella town from Agenge. Hoping that there was peace and embarrassed by all Anyuak as the Nuer do, he became a victim of false belief. Trusting an Anyuak for peace is like trusting a snake in your vicinity hoping that it might not bite you. That was what happened to this refugee. He was choked to death while travelling alone to board the bus for Gambella in Fugnido’s Agenge town.
The Nuer have held their breath. Among the three deaths, there has not been reprisal or vengeance. They were just watching how long this would take before these Anyuak criminals realise violence has no place in a civilized society. As if they could stop, they did not.
The death of three Nuer was followed last night by double murder of two Nuer also in their farm allegly by Anyuak. The two victims were originally from Akobo and makuey Woredas. It is unclear if the killers were apprehended or if the Gambella National and Regional State Government is going to be any different with that of Omot.
However, what has not changed is the thinking and behaviour of the Anyuak criminals especially when they dislike the leader in power.
They resort to violence killing as many Nuer as they could get to create instability so that leaders in power would be removed in the ground of incompetency and insecurity of the region. This has been the cycle in Gambella rise and fall of the leaders and so far every leader of Gambella was removed either of corruption or inability to quell violence.
Mrs Alemitu must proof different from past leaders notbaly people like former President Omot if she want to have longevity in power. One way of doing that is to go after the killers and not only to arrest them but also to pass laws that bring severe punishment for hate crime.
Failing to respond appropriately may enable those who lost their loved ones take matters into their own hands.
The beneficiaries of such an anarchies would be the killers themselves as innocent souls would be the ones to pay the price. Such a case is barbaric and has little effect to bring about effective change. Mrs Alemitu and Dr Gatluak must ensure that Gambella does not return to tit for tat barbarism of Omot and Thankuey style leadership.
Gambella Parliament must pass a law to counter the resuregnce of violence from these Anyuak criminals. That is the only way to deter those who would follow suit.
