Criticizing Pres. Kiir’s leadership is not an endorsement to Dr. Riek Jan. 12 Featured, Uncategorized 10 comments
By: Philips Al-Ghai, SOUTH SUDAN, JAN/12/2015, SSN; When it comes to writing opinions about this unfortunate crisis our country has plunged into, my Nuer folks ‘in opposition’ [or at least the ‘anti-Dinka’ die-hard] unwittingly misinterpret one thing: that slamming the government’s catalytic role in this sorry state chiefly implies an approval to Dr. Riek’s rebellion. This has long become a routine precept in and out of social media. Last time, in one of those weary October afternoons, I walked up to some of my Nuer friends over a hot cup of coffee after a long day of lectures and midterms. I would be lying if I say I completely had no hint about everyone’s eagerness to know my thoughts on the S. Sudanese issue. But I have always felt it would only be fair to discuss such stuff with people with established steadfast objectivity. So the first question was, predictably, whether I buy the ‘it was a coup’ cliché before the hell broke loose in Juba in December 2013, which I answered NO to everyone’s awe. The rest of the conversation quickly spilled into praises of Dr. Riek’s PhD, his ‘successful’ S. Sudan vision, Ngundeng’s prophecies, his democratic ideas et cetera. I had no other chance whatsoever to explain why I hold such opinion, let alone questioning some of the bizarre reasons given to justify Dr. Riek’s supposed ‘messianic’ ideas. Realizing the topic was instantaneously venturing into some of these myopic ideas most S. Sudanese rebels hold, and with remote signs of getting another chance to raise –at least –a query in this ever diverging topic, I hastily gulped down the content of my cup and left politely. Perhaps it is time we should isolate facts from tribal fantasies. My Nuer folks ‘in opposition’ and their cohorts need to know that Kiir’s Dinka critics do not weigh him against Dr. Riek! Rather, they condemn him on the premise that he has needlessly allowed himself to go down the history books as the first S. Sudanese president with the blood of his voters in his hands. It is a bad precedence for a groomed son of his caliber. For a man who had fought so relentlessly for freedom of his people, it is not only a shame but also a poison to Dinka norms. Growing up as a young Dinka lad in the heart of liberation war, I was often told about how the Arabs enslaved our people. Stories of how our people were persecuted were narrated. I grew up knowing that, like my elder brother (R.I.P) and every able Dinka man, I would be called upon to fight for ‘people’s freedom’ at some point. Fighting for people’s freedom was an internalized ideology; the ideology that became a social responsibility across Dinka cultures. Having fought the war himself, Kiir was expected to champion the rule of law. That was the next level in the quest for achieving people’s freedom. That’s why most of us are enraged when Kiir blatantly try to sit above the constitution. It is deemed a betrayal to this ideology; one of the very reason he and his comrades waged one of the world’s longest wars against Khartoum. It is no secret most S. Sudanese vilifying the name ‘Dinka’ today either masqueraded as East Africans, or intermittently run to Khartoum when the going gets tough. This does not justify making S. Sudan a Dinka monopoly though. But Kiir was in the heart of resilience to fight on despite series of despicable betrayals from own countrymen. That is why we don’t want him to lose sight of the cause that has wiped his age mates out. We want traitors to watch him seeing this sacred dream through, so they might tell their offspring of their shame. We want him to join his comrades, in the next world, if ancestors beckon, as a smiling man, a decorated executioner of the ideology that cost his tribesmen so dearly. These expectations might be proving unrealistic for now, but we revoke him to be a great leader. He is expected to be someone who can make selfless decisions in the glaring face of adversity, but not someone who surround himself with unproductive stooges. We want to see him striving to bring the best of developmental services to S. Sudanese, but not disaster. We want to see him working, and taking credit from hardworking citizens, who are giving back to their diverse societies, regardless of their political affiliations, but not someone who rewards sheer propagandists contributing little to national development and co-existence. We want to see him standing tall for socio-politico-economic development of the country, but not social ills. You can’t simply put these expectations on a traitor and political satellite like Dr. Riek. As things stand, Kiir might no longer fit the bill of a leader most of us envisaged him to be. But that doesn’t make Dr. Riek an alternative. Agreed, the supposed push for the democratic change within the SPLM might not have brought about full-blown democracy, but it would have set the foundation to build on. It was a necessity. However, a closer examination of his subsequent actions suggests it was a fluke. One can assert with certainty that Dr. Riek’s ambition was nothing more than being the next president in 2015. Forget democratic change. This ambition became disguised in the democratic change when he accidentally found himself the highest-ranking SPLM member among those who were rightfully fighting Kiir against power monopoly. We shouldn’t be oblivious of a huge difference between being a freedom fighter, and being a tribal warlord. The latter fittingly describes Dr. Riek. When the reports of his apology about the 1991 Bor Massacre surfaced in 2011, I was tempted to think that his mistake was forgivable. Most of his then comrades had hurt many S. Sudanese during the war after all, although with varying degrees. Even Dr. Garang had his, and might have been compelled to apologize to the people he hurt if he were alive. I saw such mistakes as consequences of a long costly war, not to mention the pulling force of Sudanese Dinars from Khartoum at the time. But the current conflict has badly exposed Dr. Riek as a blind opportunist, a poor critical thinker, and a ferocious megalomaniac. I still maintain there was NO COUP in Juba. But rebellion was never the best option for anyone harboring this enormous dream of democratic change. Great changes are not achieved through violence. Even if that was the option, he went ahead and slaughtered the remnants of the same civilians he slaughtered in 1991. He hunted and executed S. Sudanese contributing to the development of Nuerland (teachers, traders, engineers, lawyers…) simply because they hail from Dinka. What has tribal revenge got to do with democratic change? What is democratic about slaughtering the same citizens you purport to bring democracy to? Precisely, Dr. Riek is using the government’s blunder to: 1) avenge his Nuer tribesmen that Kiir slaughtered in Juba, 2) get a chance to be at the helm of power, or 3) liberate Nuer nation [I’ve been hearing], of course if his dreams can be that illusive. All these have nothing to do with democracy. Any claim that he is fighting for democratic change is nonsense, and an insult to democracy per se. So, do not be too presumptuous when encountering a Dinka criticizing Kiir sometimes. Unlike Dr. Riek, the president has a communal ideology he is expected to fulfill. It is the same ideology that brought S. Sudanese this far. It is the same ideology that will take them even further. That is why some of us take off tribal lenses and go hard on him. If he fails, as it seems, a new hero from the Dinka, the Nuer, or other tribes will accomplish the job for the benefit of all. I am optimistic a hero will come. But Dr. Riek is not one, I am afraid. Because he has demonstrated again and again that he has no mental capacity, patience, and resilience required to bring the diverse people of S. Sudan to a common goal. It is the inborn leadership qualities that lead people, not PhDs! Philips Al-Ghai is a proud S. Sudanese and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ Al_Ghai211. << Older Newer >> 10 Comments Nikalongo January 12, 2015 at 11:58 pm Philips, I am no admirer of Kiir and Riak. They are a shame to this country. Kiir invented a coup as justification for his soldiers to run riots. The death of innocent citizens angered all. Machar had an opportunity from his hideouts to condemn the killings in Juba and call for UN sanctioned investigations into the atrocities. What did Riak do? He declared himself leader of SPLA Nuer commanders whose only mission was to avenge the death of their tribesmen. Had Riak condemned the killings in Juba and the subsequent revenge in Bor and Nuerland, Kiir would not been a president today. As things stand today, it is only the Nuer and Dinka elders, politicians, youths and women who can stop the war. Talks in Adis or Arusha will not bring us peace nor arguments about who fired the first bullet. There is always going to be a reason to fire the first bullet or so the argument goes. Outside the Dinka and Nuer heartland, there is a believe that Dinka and Nuer are millions strong and should be allowed to fight their wars. That it in practice is the case. [email protected] Reply w.o.k January 13, 2015 at 2:32 am all are eye -opened.do your things guys.still early. Reply Kur January 13, 2015 at 3:05 am Yeah, violent opposition has nothing to do with democracy. The war is being fought for a different reason, which is massacring all non-Nuers in the so-called Greater Upper Nile region and create a Nuer’s nation there. Reply Raan Naath January 13, 2015 at 5:36 am Philips Al-Ghai or Al-Kiir, Who needs your cheap pretense? You are a diehard supporter of this visionless Salva that you call a true liberator. Given the typical Dinka tribal mentality that you possess, you want to equate a visionary leader like Dr. Riek with Salva so that in your small mind surrounded by your small world, you cover up the shame brought upon your community by Salva and direct it instead to Dr. Riek. It is not surprising given the known tribal and greedy mentality in Dinka community, but how dare you speak on behalf of all Dinkas and lie that nobody among the Dinka would criticize Salva Kiir and at the same time support Dr. Riek. What do you say about those Dinkas who not only support Dr. Riek Machar but also hold high political and military position in his opposition faction such as Dr. Dhieu Mathok, Garang de Mabior and General Dau Aturjong, among others? Stop your cheap, and selfish tribal propaganda to blackmail Dr. Riek. You are wasting time and swimming in a sea of contradictions. Dr. Riek has a vision and support from the people. Your tribal wishes will not stop him from doing the best for the people of South Sudan. You should instead join him in eradicating that disease called Salva Kiir either through negotiations or armed resistance. An armed resistance is not new in South Sudan. Free yourself from the so-called 1991. It is gone. We should speak of today and what should be done today and for the future. Only a fool dwells on the path and ignores the present. Reply Bentiu Ramaran January 13, 2015 at 2:12 pm Philips Al-Ghai, Dinka always knows only how much other people hurt them, but do not realize how bad they harm other tribes. What happened in Juba would have happened too to any Nuer who may have express his or her interest to run for presidency. Example, Nuer erected Anyanya2 movement in 1975 and the movement was functioning until Dinka hijacked the movement in 1983 and killed all the separatists who were from Nuer. Having Ph,D and Ngudeng prophecy you have propagated against Nuer and Riek should not be a license for Kiir to attempt to assassinate Riek and massacre Nuer in Juba. Riek should not be killed because he has Ph,D and because of Ngundeng’s prophecy. Nuer should not be massacred because they expressed their view about Riek. Often time, Dinka say they are “born to rule” and no one killed them simply because of that. Most Dinka are idiot like you, they keep rushing to 1991 split and leave out the numerous massacre they committed against Nuer in 1983 in Pagak and surrounding areas. While the massacre was going on in Pagak, the SPLA prevented journalists to go to the areas that it people were being massacring. In 1986, the Dinka massacred Lou-Nuer, burned houses, and looted their cattle. However, Nuer never complain about their massacred. Whenever, a person from another tribe did something to Dinka, the Dinka leaders would bring journalists and write down evidence and take photos. However, when Dinka are massacring people of other tribes, Dinka leaders would block journalists from taking photos or see sense. Nuer always compromise after the war and accept reconciliation but you Dinka you never compromise even if you are extremely wrong for the killing of innocent civilians. You need to learn that this country is belong to all South Sudanese tribes and every one in every tribe has a full right to contest for presidency position. Reply Mabior Abraham January 13, 2015 at 2:29 pm Ya Raan Naath, stop this generalization of Jieng (Dinka). There shouldn’t be this attitude if we dream of being South Sudanese, who will one day be South Sudanese, then, we need to find some common ground to forge societal brother and sisterhood. Let’s accept our mistakes and work to find some ground for the common cause of South Sudan for one people and one nation. Let’s find someone else and leave the two in conflict (Pres. Kiir and rebel Riek) alone and let’s nurture. Reply GatCharwearbol January 13, 2015 at 3:47 pm Dear Philip Al-Ghai, Facts: Before Dr. Machar reached Jonglei, Peter Gatdet Yaka and White Army rebelled (Fact 1). Before Dr. Machar installed himself as a leader of rebel, Dinka engineers and others were killed in Bentiu oil fields (Fact 2). These revenge killings were spontaneous. No pre-planning done first. Dr. Machar heard about all these like others. So, Dr. Machar has no hand in this carnage. Now, it is high time for Dinka to smear others for their lack of leadership. To make yourself look better in the eyes of South Sudanese, you want to share this wholly own mess by Kiir to him and Machar. That is what I can infer from your sly article. Well, it is known long that life is not fair, nothing is fair. But if we live in affair world, Salva Kiir is our collective problem. He is responsible for both Dinka and Nuer who have been slaughtered and continues since he is the root cause of this disease. In order to fully cure it, it is necessary for the doctor to diagnose the root of this cancerous and prescribe proper medication. You cannot treat others ailments cause by this main disease and hope it will disappear. You would be deceiving yourself. Cure the root cause so it will not resurface again. Hence, Salva Kiir is the root and until he is removed, we will be sick for very long time. Reply AGUMUT January 13, 2015 at 6:51 pm People should be ashamed and have to be blamed for wrong and damning Kiir openly that he is not educated,but now they have to solved their bad doing. Exile is no good. Reply Kondokoro January 13, 2015 at 11:57 pm Philip Ghai Kiir and Riak, they are your Leaders and had played roles direct or indirect in the liberation of south sudan. to hate both of them is not right, we have to respect them both but the later had hurried himself and ended up in rebellion rather than waiting through democratic way. In democratic nations you dont take arms when you are not given chance in the party or take guns to pursue your leadership goals but use democratic means; so this is where riak gone wrong. But as a south sudanese i was believing that Riak will be the next President if he would have stuck to his former Boss but unfortunatly he didnt, as a result he made innocent Nuer and dinka lose their lives because of his actions. Reply Diplo Guest January 14, 2015 at 12:48 pm Salva Kiir must step aside. Unless he needs another two million south sudanese people to die. Let me tell you people who are still being cheap cheated by salva kiir regime in Juba. The regime should first study the scene of fighting to prove that they can defeat the SPLA in opposition. The economy of South Sudan will be ruined until he will be abandoned like a smell dog. The regime in khartoum, will continue empowering SPLA in opposition until the government of Salva kiir collapses. -- To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/southsudankob View this message at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/southsudankob/topic-id/message-id For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14oo_q3PqgMpq4J1NCzcGFq%2BACHD0QBN86hSg%2BbcRvUB5LQ%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
