By Dogga Luwo
In remembrance of victims and survivors of tragic 1992 Juba Massacre, a heartbreaking documentary has been premiered.
Show cast on December 23, 2024, at women’s union office, the documentary aims at raising awareness and share harrowing experiences of survivors as well as witnesses.
The film by Juba Massacre of 1992 Widows and Orphans Association (JMWOA), does not only give accounts of those who lived through the massacre but also honors memories of the victims who lost their lives in the brutal crackdown orchestrated by the then-Khartoum regime.
In 1992, after the then rebel movement, Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) made attempts to capture Juba City, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) retaliated with extreme violence.
Following the failed offensive by SPLA in June and July of that year, SAF, along with various security agencies, launched a systematic campaign against Southern Sudanese residents in Juba.
The campaign involved mass arrests, and torture, targeting not just suspected SPLA collaborators but also innocent members of the army, police, and civilian intellectuals.
Many were executed or vanished without a trace, leaving families traumatized and communities distressed.
Fidencia Charles Ladu, chairperson of the Juba Massacre Widows and Orphans Association (JMWOA) explained more about the documentary.
“We are launching this documentary to lobby for partners and raise awareness among the international community about what happened in 1992,” she said,
“And also, we want to tell them our experiences as we do, how we cope-up with the situation, because we faced a lot of challenges in our lives. As I stated, nobody is talking about these people,” he stated.
Fidencia said her husband, Joseph Ladu, a military officer was arrested and taken to the “notorious White House”, since then, she never saw or heard from him again.
She stated that the victims were integral to the narrative of South Sudan’s separation from Sudan, and she is confident that recognition will eventually come.
She believes that in time, the government will also seek answers from the Sudanese authorities regarding what happened to the individuals.
“We are trying to document because when this incident happened, it was a very tough security issue. So people were not talking about that, but we as the association, we worked very hard and we came out with the list,” she said.
“The government now is not recognizing these people, but we believe maybe for some time to come, these people will be recognized. Recognition and acknowledgement and maybe help to the victims, the families.”
Vicky Apio is the Project Officer ‘Power Voices, or Strengthening Civic Courage’ a program of Pax for Peace, a partner organization supporting the association.
As part of the initiative, Apio said they support JMWOA to engage with the government to ensure that the voices of those affected by the 1992 massacre are heard.
“Through our work, we provide a lobby space where they can advocate for their rights and seek justice for their loved ones,” Apio explained.
Apio said her interaction with survivors reveals the deep scars left by the massacre.
“Many victims have shared their stories with me, and it’s crucial to remember that these events occurred even before South Sudan became an independent nation,” she said.
With the passing of the Transitional Justice Bill into Law, Apio urged the government to step in to assist families, enabling them to pursue justice not only for themselves but also for the memory of those lost.
The documentary is seen as a powerful tool to help understand how the massacre affected lives and continues to impact families.
As the 33rd anniversary of the Juba Massacre draws near, the demand for justice is stronger than ever. Families say they will not let the sacrifice made by the victims be forgotten.
They are striving for recognition and accountability from both the government and the international community.
The Juba Massacre of 1992 Widows and Orphans Association (JMWOA) was born out of the pain and resilience of the women and children who lost their loved ones in that event.
With no answers until 2005, the widows and orphans formed JMWOA in 2009.
The Association now has 50 active members consisting of widows, orphans, and survivors, though the actual number of those affected is larger.