بروفايل: ياسر عرمان

Quote: Marriage "This has nothing to do with politics," he says about his marriage to Awuor Deng Kuol. The future husband and wife first run into each other in Adis Ababa when Arman used to work for SPLM information secretariat in 1989. "We liked each other from that time and now and for the time in the future to come," he declares. A man of principles, Arman has pursued an inspirational revolutionary path. He is an independent thinker. He follows his heart and ideals as his participation in the SPLM demonstrates and his marriage to a Ngok Dinka – an apparent break with tradition for love -- all a revolution and a worthy one, he says. "For me it wasn't a difficult decision to like my wife and to decide to marry her. That was a decision any person reaches at a time when he decides it's the right time to marry." He gives his marriage a clean bill of health but cautions, "There are always people here and there who will see it positively or negatively. But the most important thing is; it's me and my wife." A father of two, their marriage is blessed with two daughters, Shanaa 18, born in December 1992, and Wafaa (honesty), 13, born in January 1997. Arman says he is indebted to his wife and lauds her bold efforts for taking care of the young girls as Arman was often away for the SPLA war of liberation. He commends the sacrifices of Awuor Deng Kuol, who gave up school, family and education for the SPLM. A member of the famous Katipa Banaat (Girls Battalion), Awuor, like Arman aspired for a better life for all regardless of differences in humans. The couple saw SPLM as the rightful channel for achieving equity and just peace. "I am indebted to [my wife] who shared the strength, and herself she is a freedom fighter," he says. "She really contributed a lot in encouraging me and we stood with each other throughout the last fifteen years." Understanding equals love. The marriage of Arman to Awuor was exemplary. Both traditional African ceremonies and Muslim rituals were honoured and observed. They tied their knot in the historical town of Torit, notwithstanding the threats of bombs and guns emanating from Kor Ingiliiz when the NIF regime was trying vainly to make a comeback. The marriage might have been cross-cultural to many but to Arman, "It was a basic human being wedding."