Our Judas!

Only idiots can’t see the darkest point in our history!

Part Three

Our Judas!

By Gwado J. Ador

Of course, Dr Garang knew who was Judas among his followers, he was aware of their motives and their mission.

But, instead of stopping them from realizing their aims, Garang chose to cross with them to the promised land unperturbed.

He played down their threats, hence, raising their profiles to lead the nation as we might have seen later.

Dr John Garang, however, had a handful of individuals who were stuck to his side, among them were: Pagan Amum, Dr Majak D’ Agoot, Dr Sirino Hiteng, Kosti Manibe to mention, but few.

The group was mockingly nicknamed later by Kiir’s converts as ‘Awalad Garang’ in Arabic. Literally meaning sons of Garang, or rather Garang’s group, because they were loyal and committed to him and his ideals.

Their membership extends from South to North. In the North, remarkable among them were Yaser Arman, Adam el-Hilo, Malek Agar and late Mansur Khalid…etc.

South Sudan had the burden of war… though with a varying degree; later indicators shifted and pointed towards the right for self-determination!

The stakes were high, South Sudan was predicted striding steadily towards succession to face an uncertain future on her own.

Hence, the referendum was held on July 9, 2011. Overwhelmingly, people in South Sudan voted in favour of succession by 99.5%.

Thus, South Sudan emerged as the newest nation in the world, ranking no. ‘54’ on the map of Africa.

Salva Kiir, however, climbed onto the top hierarchy of the leadership, the moment South Sudan was declared an independent country. People were joyful and celebrated!

With euphoria and on the streets, we were singing and dancing, the national anthem was composed and properly we recited it with joy. Everywhere was a feast.

But soon, SPLM as a ruling party emerged showing different mood with new faces and slogans; they were there to replace the old guards.

However, the total outlook of SPLM we knew has now changed, it became unrecognizable. We were numb and speechless.

Under no illusions, SPLM was hijacked. It was left impenetrable by individuals with different motives and agendas.

SPLM has now different mantra to the original one, which the struggle was based on in the last two decades.

Behind new face were people known for their avid dislike and extreme hatred to Dr John Garang and the entire circles of his leadership.

The new group was led by people who were popularly known later as Dinka ‘Jieng’ Council of Elders ‘JCE’.

Included in the group were: Ambros Ring, Joshua Dau, Aldo Ajo, Bona Malwal Madut, Tilar Deng Ring and Aleu Ayen…etc.

They presented themselves voluntarily to offer free advice to Kiir’s leadership on how to reorganize, use force, grab, occupy, destroy, rape, loot, change and rein terror in South Sudan.

Interestingly enough, this group should’ve had confined to Dinka issues as we were concerned. But, instead, they outstretched their mandate to cover areas which were not known to their jurisdiction.

They transcend areas which originally falling within the competence of people’s legislative assembly or the parliament. Thus, we regard them as intruders of the first order!

Not only that, but another group also emerged and joined the bandwagon. We’ve discovered later that they were in fact, members of the defunct NCP regime Sudan. They’ve come back because they belong to South Sudan.

But, the problem was that they imported confusion, which was regarded as alien to our political culture.

Some among them were already installed into higher positions. Today, they are in the forefront fuelling conflicts and hatred among our innocent people!

No wonder, all surrounded President Kiir and colluded later with him to alter the total image of our nation beyond recognition.

After Kiir trotted onto power, Garang’s group were looking glum and venerable. They were exposed to a whole range of threats and humiliations!

In the eyes of President Kiir and his followers, the group was disobedience to his authority. He accused them of undermining his leadership, which according to him was intolerable.

Soon and on the steering wheel, President Kiir was already on full gear, accelerating without anybody realizing that he was on full speed. Nobody dared to ask him where were they heading!

Kiir was now out of control, he was behaving like a carpenter who uses a hammer as the only tool in his hand. Anything crosses his way, was a nail. His comrades were scared to the core!

Kiir’s fervent attitude and will power to overhaul SPLM and change the demographic set up of certain areas was so stark. It was unbelievable!

Not only that, but he was adamant to change the entire physical landscape of South Sudan.

Whether Garang’s group were accepted to be with him on board or not isn’t his problem at all.

Garang’s group instead, were cautious, distancing themselves from anything that would cause them a headache.

They didn’t want any confrontation with their new enraged boss. They ‘ve avoided anything that would let them rub shoulders with him!

For some time, the group was behaving like a patient put under anaesthesia to allow change take place… a little by little they were sleeping!

Soon and before they could wake up, it was over!

Like anybody else, they heard over radio and television that, Dr Riek Machar and Pagan Amum were relieved from their duties.

But, they revolted swiftly, they joined heads together to stop Kiir from messing them up further.

Riak and Pagan called for an urgent gathering of senior colleagues at SPLM house in Juba to discuss this misunderstanding and iron it out once and for all.

The meeting took place on the 6 Dec. 2013. It was attended by almost all the comrades, including few who were loyal to Kiir. They were there to report to him later about the meeting outcome.

However, the group discussed reform in the SPLM and the future of the ruling party under the current threats.

Shortly, Kiir and his group shrewdly rushed to undercut their plans and called for a concurrent gathering, but it would take place between 14-16 Dec. 2013.

The first two days of that meeting was fully charged with sentiments against certain individuals. In his address to the delegates, Kiir strongly sends signals that such incidents of 1991 won’t repeat itself again in reference to Nasir declaration of 1991.

Suddenly, fighting broke out in the evening of the second day of their meeting, it was triggered by certain individuals within the Bilpham headquarter.

During that night of 15-16 Dec. 2013 Juba couldn’t sleep because of the roaring sounds of mortars and bomb blasts, the machine guns bullets were spewing just over our roofs as if we were already on fire. We were scared to death!

The conflict spread out quickly, and the whole military barracks were caught in flames. Spree killings were everywhere with bodies littering the ground along the main Bilpham road and in certain areas across Juba.

Later in the day, it was clear that the fighting was between supporters of President Kiir who most of them were from Dinka origin, and supporters of Dr Riek Machar, who over majority come from Nuer tribe.

The horror was so massive in the sense that, the number of causalities exceeded imagination. More lives were lost, especially when President Salva Kiir ordered his killing-squads to scale Nuer areas around Juba. They were ordered to search for Riek and his followers leaving no stone unturned.

Hundred thousands of lives were spilt in two days of horror. The same stretched out to include other states of Malakal, Bor and Bentiu. More than two hundred thousands of innocent lives perished or an accounted for. Over three million left home into exile.

However, Dr Riek managed to escape with his life leaving behind the hips of burning bodies. His comrades were also left behind to face an uncertain future.

In his public address, while in combat attire, Gen. Kiir appeared on the national TV on the 16 Dec. 2013 to express his dismay about what took place. He revealed what exactly took place and told the public that Riek is on the run.

Gen. Kiir concocted a coup conspiracy theory against his former colleagues and swore that they will not escape punishment. Kiir appealed for calm and return of normal life in Juba.

Later during the day, most of Garang’s group members were already rounded up and arrested, among them were Pagan Amum, Majak D’Agoot, Oyay Deng Ajak, Lul Gatkwoth, and John Luk and many others.

Shortly, most of them were released, remaining only four to face charges of treason together with Dr Riek Machar and three others including Taban Gai and Alfred Lado Gore who escaped narrowly the trap into the bush.

Unfortunately, South Sudan become like his fiefdom, Kiir was now becoming uncontrollable, especially after the 15-16th incident. He was behaving like an absolute monarch, purging and appointing people as he wishes and according to whims. Fighting, and robbing innocent people was the order of the day.

Tribes were instigated to fight against one another over natural resources and land ownership. As a result, many people died because of this deliberate policies.

Kiir’s group has altered the way of life in certain communities, thus, encouraging some to adopt a hostile attitude towards their neighbours with whom they were peacefully living together and side by side in the past.

Things accelerated, and confusion to seduce some of Garang’s group to go back to the Kiir’s camp was going on in earnest.

Steadily worried they have become, the more disillusioned they were. But, everything went as normal as some have cheered up later developing an appetite to voluntarily join the system in Juba.

Some among Garang’s group expressed willingness to join SPLM under President Kiir because they were tired of waiting for anything that would salvage their party from the wreckage. But, nothing was forthcoming on the horizon.

Out of frustration, Pagan Amum, Dr Hiteng and Oyay Deng Ajak and possibly few others have opted to stay away for a while or perhaps, left politics altogether.

Whether members of this group know in the first place about the ongoing plot or not isn’t the subject matter of my argument here.

But, the fact that some among them pretended as if nothing fishy was going on raises some doubts!

However, in order to effect the desired change in the country and to continue with the grand project, Kiir has to rely on particular institutions and mass media was among his best picks!

There is a Nigerian wise word that goes:, ‘If the cockroach wants to rule over the chicken, then it must hire a fox as a bodyguard!’

That is exactly where some people like Makuei could still be useful to him in the next move to achieve his objectives.

Despite past lapses, Makuei came back rather happy. His return to the Ministry of Information and Postal Services was celebrated.

As usual, he was explicitly blunt that business will continue as usual and that he and his team will be working to complete the unfinished project.

Makuei has proven to Kiir that he cherishes his cunning character in bulling media on one hand, and seducing his opponent to succumb to their will on the other.

Now, whether the appointment of Makuei signals continuation of tactics to outmanoeuvre his opponents who some are still at large or not, isn’t part of my concern in this context. But the question is:

Has Makuei what it takes to change the order of the game this time around?

Does he possess the necessary skills to empower media and to encourage peace and unity?

Will media under his leadership support developmental activities or would he rather preferer continuation of business as usual?

…Oh God save South Sudan!

Coming next…

“When two men quarrel, do not allow them to share the same seat on a canoe”

‘Dedicated to the honest and fearless in South Sudan.’

Follow part four only on Media Projection Ltd