I was Untrained Red Army and Lost Boy.

 

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

Mr. Henry Yuot Riak and Mrs. Alak Maguen Acinbai have their first born in Khartoum Sudan in January 15, 1973. A new born was named Ater Henry Yuot and I am proud to my humble parents. My late father sat for the Sudan Secondary School Certificate in 1972 and he was preparing to join university, however, he decided to take care of his new family affairs. In the next year he got a job as Agricultural Assistant in Agricultural Research’s Scheme in Sennar Town, center of Sudan. By 1976, he got a job with the World Bank, as a First Agricultural Assistant, Seeds Program, to run a Project Development Unit (PDU) in Yei, a small Town in the Central Equtaoria, Southern Sudan. However, in 1980, he managed to join the University of Juba, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, specializing in Crop Sciences. In the same year I started my Primary education in Buluk Primary School in Juba.  

In 1983, the Southern Sudan executive and autonomous government was dissolved and the Southern Sudan regional government divided into three regional governments namely: Baher el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Equatoria region in a Republican decree announced by Marshal. Jaafar Mohammed Nimiri the former President of the Republic of the Sudan. As a political result, the family decided and moved to Wau town, the Capital of Baher el Ghazal region.

Between 1983 and 1986, Wau was experiencing ethnic fights between the Dinka  and Jurchol at one side against the combination of different ethnic group known as Fertit, despite that, I continued my study in Wau Buluk Primary School up to 1986. The Arabs in Khartoum armed the Fertit to fight the Dinka and Jurchol, because of their support to the liberation of South Sudan from Arabs.  The Fertit were in control of areas around Sudan’s Army garrison in Wau Town while the Dinka and Jurcol were in control of areas around the Police headquarters in Wau Town. The security situation was terrible and I witnessed many Dinka people who were continuously being targeted as they crossed to Fertit areas or performing their daily activities and duties in Wau town.

In August 1986, my mother decided and moved us into liberated areas under control of the SPLA/M. In the family journey we were together with my siblings: two brothers Amoch and Kon and sister Anyiel. We spent a month crossing a journey and roads distances from Wau to Yirol Area which I remember very well, Yirol area was under Cdr. Marial Chanuong. Shortly after our arrival at Yirol I became a Red Army Candidate to be in Agany preparation Camp and the first time I touched to use Ak – 47 prior to being sent to Bilpam Military Training Center but I was the Youngest (child) in the training center. However, the SPLA had policy of not recruiting children into the army, instead I was prepared to be sent to Itang refugee Camp in Western Ethiopia until I reached 18 years. However, my mother decided again and moved us into a cattle camp in Aliab Toc which is part of the Sudd Swamp area and, this was how I escaped and missed out from being a “Lost Boy”.

In the cattle camp, I learnt how to take care of cattle, how to milk a cow, collect cattle dung and dry it up. The cattle dung is used as charcoal for cooking and to warm bodies and its ash is used as a toothpaste too. Cattle urine is used to wash hands, faces, and dishes (traditional dishes). I have practiced all these activities. My mother also guided us to Juba through Tali Town, nonetheless, The Mundari tribe used to target Dinka between Yirol and Juba roads. Luckily, after seven (7) days, we reached Juba safely in December 20, 1987.  

In January 20, 1988 we landed in Khartoum International Airport, the family was reunited and I continued my education. In October, 2001, I graduated with the Bachelor of Science of Technology in Electrical Engineering, Sudan University of Science and Technology. During my study, I used to participate in community and university different activities. My Community activities included social, religion, cultural and sometimes political forums which Southern Sudanese students in the Sudanese universities practiced as well.

At those decades, the National Islamic Front (NIF) government was anti Southern Sudanese activities and, therefore, all southern Sudanese who’s were studying or working in different government levels were continually exposed to security screenings and harassments. As a security mistreatment results, many lost their jobs, lives, and quitted schools. This has further resulted in a mass refuge of the southern Sudanese into neighboring countries in such Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Egypt etc.

In April, 2002, I left Sudan for Egypt and actively participated in the community and the SPLM activities in the Arab Republic of Egypt as I worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a volunteer (Interpreter) then I moved to Finland by March 2004 for further studies.

Upon my arrival in Finland, I met with the Sudanese who were exceptionally preparing to establish the SPLM chapter in Finland. In May, 2004, the SPLM chapter was established in Finland. I am the SPLA/M member since my joining history on May 1983 and, I was a founding member of the SPLM chapter in Finland. In July 21, 2005, the chapter organized a peace signing festival which was attended by the majority of the Sudanese in Finland. In July 30, 2005, a tragedy happened, Dr. John Garang de Mabior and was killed in a Helicopter crash on the border of South Sudanese and Uganda. In September 2005, I decided to go back to study. Subsequently, I successfully completed Master and Doctorate of Science of Technology in Electrical Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology and Aalto University in 2007 and 2011 respectively.

In December 21, 2011, I returned to South Sudan, however, I focused on my engineering career. In January 2012, I first joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Juba and in November 1^st, 2012, I joined the South Sudan Oil Industry. I did not pull apart the two careers, academia and the industry, however, I combined teaching engineering at university and serving production of oil in Dar Petroleum Operating Company. Nevertheless, I remain a committed SPLM technocrat who is ready to serve to my capacity.

Just to mention few names among the founders’ members of the SPLM chapter in Finland who are now residing in the Republic of South Sudan:

1.       Dr. Simon Nhial Monykuany, Medical Doctor, Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), deceased in 2014, Leer County, Unity State

2.       Professor. Dr. Kuel Jok, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. John Garang University of Science and Technology

3.       Professor. Dr. Owen Ondormo, Institute of Peace, Diplomacy and Security Studies, University of Juba

4.       Mr. Ukech Kidi Ujure, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences and Economics, University of Juba

5.       Dr. Etin Concordo, Director General, Ministry of Health, Eastern Equatoria

6.       Mr. Thomas Amudeng, Director General for Training, Ministry of Finance and Economics Planning

7.       Mr. Wol Mamer, Director of Account, Ministry of Finance and Economics Planning

8.       Abraham Chol Mathiang, Self-Employee

9.       Mr. Alex, Self-Employee

10.   Mr. Majok Matur, the last Chairperson of the SPLM chapter in Finland

11.   Capt. Peter Rual, Ministry of Defense

12.   Mr. Kur Madit, Lawyer

About the Author

Ater Yuot R. Amogpai is a South Sudanese Oil & Gas Industry Professional and Secretary General of the Workers Trade Union of Petroleum and Mining in South Sudan. Ater holds a Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, Finland. Furthermore, he is a member of the Academic Staff University of Juba, School of Engineering. Email: ater.amogpai@gmail.com.