Thus, President Salva Kiir stood firmly to secure this important sector on his side, he won’t easily surrender SSR&TV to his opponents on the other side of the debate.
In his mind eyes, the Ministry of Information and Postal Services among others have a vital role to play. Kiir wants media to improve the image of his government on one hand and to support his campaign about his version of the peace settlement and governance in the country.
Therefore, Kiir would make sure that such an important institution, including few others, like finance and security, would always be on his side in the distribution of power-sharing.
Because of the successful role, Minister Makuei had played within the ministry during the last seven years in their struggle to dispel the fear of being outmanoeuvred by their opponents in the opposition.
Again, President Kiir had to trust and rely on people like Makuei and few others to take charge of media so that they carry on and continue the wonderful job they were doing in the past.
No wonder, Makuei to him would always remain the only ideal candidate whom he trusts to run such an important ministry.
Immediately, Makui Lueth, Ateny Wek Ateny and Malak Aywen have taken lead as spin doctors to falsify and twist facts in order for them win minds and hearts of our innocent people who are still languishing in the UNMISS, which looks to me like concentration camps of the world war two.
Sadly, SSR&TV including some independent media houses, which should have been at the forefront of the calls for peace and unity among the people of one nation has fallen into the hands of lunatics.
Under Makuei, media should always be used to manipulate public opinions, instead of consoling our people who are suffering and destressing for quite long since the irruption of the conflict in Dec. 2013.
Despite peace revitalisation, the majority of our people are waiting passionately for guns to silent, peace and reconciliation to rein so that they go back home to resume a normal life.
Main media function today under Makuei administration is to mislead public opinion and to propagate about how the country should be run and managed at the centre and the state levels in the next stage of the governance.
Not only that but, he wants media also to be utilised as a diary to carry their messages, news and their achievements around the clock. This is yet happening in a country that mostly needs peace, stability and reconciliation among its quarrelling people.
And lastly, but not least, he wants media to provide a platform to express their opinions and indifferences with their opponents. This is to him is a matter of principle that whoever who joins them must adhere and work accordingly.
The intended message on media was very clear and always would remain the same. It’s simple: Just, deny…deny and deny, then dilute, dispute and twist facts. There, Makuei and Atteny Wek and Lul Ruai have exactly been doing on media!
Although Makuei comes from legal bedground, his appointment was jubilant and to many journalists, he was greeted with respect by SSR&TV officials and technocrats. He was treated as their boss and one of their own who would work to improve their working conditions.
In fact, journalists celebrated when he arrived at the Ministry of Information the first day following his appointment. He was touring all the different sections to acquaint himself with the nature of work at different sections.
Everybody was happy at least for now, they have someone who will turn the tables around for them enjoy so that they carry out their noble duties and that to inform, to educate and to entertain.
But, soon after having taken over the administration, Makuei started to behave strangely, off-road he was often found drifted!
Makuei Lueth started to change the mood and reveal his true colour, conflict among senior staff popped-up on his first day of arrival to the ministry immediately.
He started to agitate unnecessary provocation against certain individuals, mainly those whom he perceives as a threat to his future plans and projects.
Because Minister Makuei was ignorant about how media works and the code of conduct that guides journalists’ professional activities.
He was caught in the middle of controversy and confusion. More often than not, he found himself busy firing people whom he feels incapable of delivering and appointing new others without any clear mandates.
Several of suspects among the staff were put under constant scrutiny, and few were immediately discharged from their duties.
Among the victims were Mustafa Biong Majak, the former D/G of Information in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Also, Arop Bagat Tingloth, the former D/G of SSR&TV. And Pita Wani, the former D/G for A/F, then followed by Khamis Chuolom as D/G for SS&TV, Eng. Then later also, Martin Baba as the D/G of SS&TV and Adil Faris who was a few days in the job, then suddenly found himself being fired the following day!
All were relieved from their duties without any charges against them as to whether they have had done anything wrong.
However, their vacant positions were immediately filled with new faces, perhaps from his own relatives or friends who didn’t necessarily possess the required skills as we might have seen already.
Minister Makuei didn’t end there, but he went as far as creating conflicts between himself and his newly appointed deputies. He quarrelled with Rachel Nyadak, who was appointed as his deputy in his first introduction to the ministry.
Then later, he went into loggerhead with Nadia Arop who was immediately transferred from his ministry. Then, followed by Akol Paul who got relieved from his position as a result of the simmering dispute between him and his boss!
For sure, he would soon have an issue with his newly appointed deputy, Minister Baba, who was assured by Makuei himself of goodwill and cooperation from all his staff in the ministry.
Time and again, our Minister, Makuei Lueth has proven that he doesn’t belong to that family neither most of his recent appointees, simply because none of them has shown an aptitude or necessary skills or creativity to function as technocrats in such a technical institution.
To be continued next week…
Upcoming:
‘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’
Please, follow part five only on Media Projection Ltd
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