Comrade Secretary General,
With the highest respect and the deepest humility, I, Ochala Odol Ochala, a loyal son of Pochalla and a committed member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party, write to you with this heartfelt appeal on behalf of my community.
Pochalla is not just a small border town; it is a historical symbol of bravery, loyalty, and resilience. Pochalla was the first town in Greater Upper Nile to fire the first organized bullet in the name of Anyanya (I) liberation struggle in 1962 after the Torit Mutiny of 18 August 1955 and maintain the liberation’s spirit through the era of Anyanya II and the birth of the SPLM/A. Pochalla was among the four towns that fired the first bullet in 1983 to defend the dignity of the Southern people, courageously standing up after the Malual Chat rebellion that later became the SPLM/A.
When the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, Pochalla was already a liberated town, free from Khartoum’s influence, thanks to the sacrifices of its sons and daughters. Our people carried the vision of freedom and paid the price of loyalty with their lives. This is a legacy of patriotism that deserves recognition.
Comrade Secretary General, we believe that the time has come for the people of Pochalla to be rewarded and entrusted with national leadership. We respectfully request that in the forthcoming reshuffle, one of our distinguished SPLM leaders be considered for appointment to either a national ministry or the headship of a national commission.
Pochalla has within its community qualified, competent, committed, and loyal SPLM cadres who embody discipline, integrity, and dedication to service. Among them are: Gen. David Okwier Akway, Jay Adingora Alual, Butrus Ochala Ojullo, Ogebe Omot Ochain, and Charles Wello Onyony. Each of these leaders carries a clean record and a proven commitment to the SPLM. Their appointment would not only honor the sacrifices of the Anywaa Community of Pochalla but also strengthen inclusivity, unity, and national cohesion.
Comrade Secretary General, appointing one of these sons of Pochalla to a national leadership position would send a powerful message to all South Sudanese that no sacrifice is forgotten, no community is marginalized, and no contribution to the liberation struggle is left unrewarded.
With profound respect, I appeal to your esteemed wisdom and leadership to graciously consider this request. May God guide you as you continue to lead our party and our nation toward peace, unity, and prosperity.
Respectfully yours,
Ochala Odol Ochala
Son of Pochalla
The writer of this article is a son of the Pochalla community. The views expressed are his own. He can be reached at: odolochala@yahoo.com.