Malong Awan and Malaak Ayuen: The Lionized Extreme “Dinkaists” Army Generals
16 min readGen. Paul Malong Awan Anei and Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen Ajok: The Lionized Extreme “Dinkaists” Army Generals
By Biar D’Chol Biar
April 16, 2015 (SSB) —- To the rebels, they’re the extremists, “Dinkaists” army generals they’d ever seen. But, to the pro-government, they’re the lion-hearted stars generals, passionately idolized & glorified for standing tall, fortifying the nation’s sovereignty. And their common core is: shielding President Kiir Mayardit seat at any cost. If it’ll take them to raze down mountain Imatong in the Eastern Equatoria, they’ll do so. They’ve rolled up their camouflage sleeves; ready to squash the rebels through military means. They rightly erected, safeguarding their leader until the last blood will drop out of their veins. And if anyone doubts that, it’s at his/her own perils!
The rebels, however, called them murderous, notoriously killers, and South Sudanese “Hitlers” but it’s an impenetrable to their ears. These names calling are mere shenanigans to them. These generals bottled-up for war, and it doesn’t matter whether a Dinka child’s starving at the displaced camps in Kenya, Uganda and Awerial county -Gulyar, or a Nuer child’s starving, malnourished at the UNMISS camps in Juba, Bortown, Malakal, Bentiu or Warrap state, it’ won’t deter them from pursuing their intended mission.
And their intended mission is only one thing: mangling their adversary militarily. They believed that, a rebel leader, a man who took up arms against the government: Dr. Riek Machar Teny shouldn’t be rewarded with any position within the government. Anything shied of militarily means, doesn’t appease their devouring war appetites. They want to make sure that Dr. Riek isn’t coming back to Juba, either as a first vice president or a prime minister proposed by the IGAD. They want him, to die in exile or, come back, and kissed their butts, apologized; and, accepted that he was involved in their concocted “coup” attempt. Thusly, they don’t care about the rebels quietus in the bushes, since they took up arms against the government; their employer, whom they continuously, and ardently milk until there’ll be no more petro-dollars.
Besides, the UN threateningly sanction doesn’t shake them up, so does their boss, too. But who would blame them since they don’t understand the insidious effects, and consequences of sanction imposed against the country’s top notches? As long as they’re still army generals, they’ll continue to send young South Sudanese to kiss bullets flying their ways, and shout: “SPLA OYEE!” even if one’s dead. And if they ran out of the armies, however, truth must be told; they’ll still find ways to have army. They’ll either conscript the children to fight their antagonist: Dr. Riek Machar. Or if no one’s left to fight, they’ll go to every village; patiently awaited all the baby boys coming out of women’s VJ, and continuously send them to war as long as they’re capable of carrying AK-47.
And quite frankly, the prize of illiteracy, where a few individuals take advantage of the majority, greatly played an enormous role in our country, since this reckless war starts. Because of that, South Sudanese youths at villages; either being Dinka or Nuer had been misinformed orally; that the Nuers are taking power by force when there are Nuers within the government; that Dinka are killing us because they think the government belongs to them alone, when there are Dinkas opposing Kiir regime.
But, what general public doesn’t know is that we’re one people, but only a few opportunists who hijacked the SPLM party to get rid of the others. And we glorified such kind people to the extremes. Many of us haven’t learned how to question our leaders, but rather become the “Yes men.” We continue to glamorize individuals who Balkanized our nation for their own benefits and their families. But these opportunists are just wolves in sheep’s clothing.
These highly decorated military prowess generals; who fought bravely and courageously in North-South civil war continuously degrading their outstanding legacy. Now, they’re only heroes’ to their own tribesmen, but antagonists to the other tribes. They’re believed to be the reason behind the failed peace not inked in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia on March 6, 2015. And as long as they’re still alive, they’ll never stop singing the slogan of war, on the streets and on the national SSTV. They’ll work hard for that to accomplish their goals: Stops the reinstalling of Dr. Riek as first vice president in the republic of South Sudan.
They continue to fan the flame of war as usual. Their boss, President Kiir Mayardit puts them in charge of army. They’re the center-stage of the war; running their show skillfully tactically; and, are okay with the continuous spill of bloods of the innocent children, women as well as young men who heard their stentorian calls, and now fighting in the frontlines. Nothing will ever stop them from what they’re doing. Only if their adversary is dead, or stopped negotiating with the government.
Thusly, they’re the most trusted generals by the commander-in-chief, the president of the republic of South Sudan: General Kiir Mayardit Kuethping. So, anyone talking peace is rubbish and poppycock. If anyone says, please stops the war, people are dying! He/she would be considered as a rebel “sympathizer” or a western buffoon. But, what they don’t understand is the suffering of our civilians in foreign countries, or in their own country that led many of us to speak out. Also, the economy of the country is now crumbling on her knees because of the war, and this what concerns us all, whether at home or Diaspora. They don’t know that a war is never ‘milked’ to anyone. It’s a destruction of lives and properties and ought to be stopped!
These trustworthy army generals: Paul Malong Awan Anei and Malak Ayuen Ajok completely optimized their works in fighting this ruthless war. The countrymen and women are longing for peace to return, but they aren’t backing down the war. They rolled up their sleeves, gearing up to take it to Dr. Riek Machar and the rebels’ territory. Their oratorical enunciations at the army headquarters, and on SSTV show that they aren’t ready for a peaceful means. And theirs’ staunchly supporters are worshiping them as “lordship,” since their rhetorical speeches on SSTV and radio are stentorian every day.
Gen. Malong Awan Anei, was once fervently admired for his bravely heart in NBS in the 90s. His skillful and nimble tactics, to rid off the notoriously horsemen-Janjaweeds, that terrorized Aweil Community was unanimously praised in the entire South Sudan. And, quite frankly, he did what a son does to his community. Besides, he was praised for the formation of Mathiang Anyaar after Sudanese president, Bashire threatens to take 14 miles at the border of Sudan and South Sudan; to defend our land, and everyone was exuberant and euphoric with what he was doing.
We all know that, Khartoum government will try its best to encroach into our territory by any means. They’d shown several times with bombardments of civilians time and time again in NBS & WBS. But, the nation wasn’t afraid as long as Gen. Malong was in NBS, defending our nation.
But, instead of staying with the course of defending the nation from the north, Gen. Malong brought what was formed to shield the nation against the external enemy, to Juba clandestinely. The reason of why these militiamen were brought to the nation’s capital, remained mystery up today. But, they were in the capital, incandescently walking on the streets days & nights. But, they weren’t the national army to begin with. They weren’t policemen to guide the city either, and everyone falls short to accept the legality of bringing the militia into the capital. And up to today, no one answered why the militias were brought to Juba?
And on December 16, 2013, these militiamen, who weren’t trained as nation armies began to discriminately kill innocent Nuer in Juba when army mutiny happened at the army barrack. Was it justifiable killings? Absolutely no! But, Gen. Paul Malong was believed to have hands in this mess, because the militia belongs to him. He action let the “cat” out of the bag, and now, he’s still calling for war, which he should’ve finished sixteen months ago had he followed Dr. Riek into the bush and faced him.
But, he remained in Juba; allowed these militiamen to kill innocents who’ve nothing to do with the government without stopping them. Then, a few days later, he joined the army; took command at capturing of BorTown from White Army; a news welcomed by many civilians at the time when they don’t understand what killed them or looted their properties. And later on, he surreptitiously lobbied behind the closed-door to replace the general chief of staff of army: James Hoi Mai. And President Kiir rewarded him with chief of staff position.
Now, as a chief of staff of the army, he’s doing things he shouldn’t be doing. But because he likes to be the center stage of everything, he’s doing everything is his power to rid off his opponents. He seems to be acting as if he’s the country’s CEO. He shut down his bosses: KMK and KMJ. Gen. Malong bosses look subordinate to him, based on how he acts. It seems that he doesn’t know his role as the chief of staff of the army. Therefore, Gen. Malong needs to be told that he’s neither the president of the nation nor the minister of defense. His actions are deeply and grossly burying the country to the grave.
On the other hand, Gen. Malong intermediation of the caretaker governor, Kuel Aguer Kuel, isn’t a good approach for a well-respected person. Now, Kuel Aguer Kuel’s relieved as the caretaker governor, because Malong loyalty to the president. He’s a chief of staff of the army, and there’s no point of meddling in the NBS affairs anymore though he believes that he’s still the chairman of SPLM in the state. Well, he was a governor, but not anymore. So, why Gen. Malong keeps harassing citizens? Someone should advice Gen. Malong not to oppress and marginalize citizens. These behaviors let people go back to bush and will impede the progress of the nation.
Besides, the jailing of a journalists, such as Christopher for interviewing Kuel Aguer Kuel to air out what was going on behind closed door in NBS doesn’t look good on him easier. Gen. Malong seems to be holding all the position within South Sudan government. I completely fail to understand why is he treating citizens inappropriately? Now, he’s acting as a president, minister of defense, chief of general of army and a governor of NBS. Gen. Malong, however, needs to think about South Sudan future; a country where all 64 tribes must live together, eat together, laugh together and mix together on the same table.
We love Gen. Malong as our liberator, to be remembered as someone who’d done good deeds for our country, but not some one for bad reputations. Gen. Malong should think about our future, if he cares for our nation. He should learn how to compromise with the opponents and citizens. Gen. Malong, there’s no country in the world built on hatred. Comrade Malong, learn how to negotiate with your opponents to assail our country forwards.
Brigadier gen. Malak Ayuen Ajok is an epideictic orator as I had seen him in most of his speeches on SSTV. He vigilantly works hard every day to make sure our fallen heroes’ songs are played live continuously on SSTV for our young generation to learn more about our brothers, fathers and mothers whom we lost in the civil war. No doubt that they’re our heroes/heroines. Their songs are only our souvenirs we’ve at the moment. The nation is cemented with their precious bloods, and everyone admired Brig. Malak for what he’d been doing. Comrade keeps up a good work, and God’ll shower you abundantly. It’s one of patriots thing you’d been doing for our nation to remember the fallen heroes/heroines. But, something is still missing with Brig. Gen. Malak’s work position.
Most recently since the war starts, he’s digressed to follow a different path: exclusiveness of other countrymen and women in his patriotic works. He’d become the most notorious far leftist “Dinkaist.” He seems to be focusing on Dinka had done this and that… And that’s not what a patriotic and nationalist should be doing. What he needs to know, however, is that, he’s too big to come down, and practice tribalism. Brig. Gen. Malak must be assured that he’s a national figure & should be working on what can bring the nation together as one country regardless of our multiethnic ties and multiculturalism.
Many citizens are looking up to him as an exemplary. I do believe that he’s a paradigm to young generation; a war veteran if he isn’t aware about it. Every child is probably now dreaming to be Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen. But the speeches he’s been giving to the armies at Bilpam are nothing, but polarizing our nascent nation.
I understand that Brig. Malak Ayuen problem is Dr. Riek Machar. Well, to be honest, Dr. Riek’s entire South Sudan problem, because of the role he played in commanding White Army-Jiech Mibör to discriminately killed, raped and pillaged properties in Bortown, Malakal, Bentiu and many other areas. However, Brig. Gen. Malak should know that one-man life isn’t that important to let the nation suffers by continuously orchestrating the war. Everyone knows that Dr. Riek is avarice, and egocentric individual; we all agree on that.
But, continuing to call for more wars to confront Dr. Riek when’s sleeping at the grandiose hotel in Addis Ababa and South Africa isn’t the best option. Brig. Gen. Malak should know that our children are starving at the camps with empty stomachs with no roofs on top of them. Brig. Gen. Malak, why is it then to keep fighting a man who’s not in the country? To me, I think you’re fighting with a ghost!
If Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen believed, however, that Dr. Riek staged a coup, then, why did he let him crosses the states’ borders without following him back then? Why didn’t he follow Dr. Riek right away up to his mum’s VJ? Why did he waits that long until Dr. Riek left the country? Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen keeps shouting through microphone; ingraining war to the newly recruit soldiers’ brains; that we’ve to fight Dr. Riek and Nuers. Yes, it’s understandable to fight Dr. Riek and win triumphantly. But, will fighting change anything in South Sudan? I don’t think so! Brig. Malak Ayuen, is war what you think of when you lay your head on a pillow? Brig. Gen. Malak had repeated what MML had said before, that, a “government can’t negotiate with the rebels.”
Well, it’s true that you’re the government, and Dr. Riek is a rebel. You fundamentally believe that a government can’t negotiate with rebel. If that’s the case, why then, did Khartoum regime negotiate with us, when we were rebels? I know that Dr. Riek is a dumb leader with his sick and charlatan “Democracy.” I understand that most African leaders turn rebels when they’re not happy with the governing system or, had become power greed, and that’s what I believe led Dr. Riek back to bush second times. Or he was forced to bush when he declared to unseat his boss: Salva Kiir Mayardit.
But his rebellion was one of the stupid decisions a man ever made. Majority of people believe that he didn’t stage any coup, but his action to command white army instead of going to exile, and calls for justice for what Killed Nuers in Juba is what pissed everyone off. But, I haven’t proved his claimed innocent in this war. President Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Riek are equally two heads in the same coin. They were the leaders for the last ten years, and nothing they accomplished other than feuding in the offices.
Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen, I’ve to tell you that what you’re doing doesn’t make you better than those who want peace. Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen needs to know that, he’s fighting a wrong war. Dr. Riek is a problem, but how long should we continue this war? I’ve to tell you that, you ignore the war we should be fighting for; a war that took the lives of our people for centuries, and nothing is being done about it.
And to give you a head up, our problem is the one you welcomed to Juba last year. You eat with him at the same table, but had not done anything about it. He killed our elders, women and youths, and he’s not been charged with this crime. His militiamen abducted our children every year. So, why isn’t he a huge problem to us?
Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen, David Yau Yau and his Murle militiamen are the problem we’ve right now. As much as I know Brig. Malak’s older than me and he’s knowledgeable of cattle raiding that took place. He knows how many men, women that’d been killed by Murle every year. He knows how many children abducted by Murle, and they’d never been returned to our villages. Our Greater Bor Community’s assets—cattle had been driven off by Murle every now and then.
But him and sons or Greater Bor elites had been quiet in Juba. And now he’s telling us that, we’ve to go to war of Dr. Riek and Kiir Mayardit. Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen, it says, “charity begins at home.” Without our home, you and the rest would be nothing in Juba. So, why is Brig. Malak ignored the threats affecting our civilians all the time, and embark on this reckless war?
Brig. Gen. Malak Ayuen should know that the Nuers had been our neighbors; we share the same food together everyday, we inter-married with them, and to think of them as our enemies is outrageous. Hence, continuing to weigh a war isn’t work for you and our community. It’s killing our people and their people as well. Brigadier Malak Ayuen, you’re not helping with what should be done to solve the crisis affecting our nation.
Honestly, you’re teaching the values that don’t belong to our community. We’re a community of wait, a minute! Kɔn kööch! We’re not a community of teat-for-tat as it might be in other communities. We always forgive our enemies. We are resilience community, and that’s what we’re known for.
As of now, Greater Bor people in Bortown and at the villages are back and lively, kicking, energetic and dynamite! Their daily activities had resume. But, only David Yau Yau with his militiamen are what terrorizing them days and nights. Won’t this be something to think of all the time, brother Malak Ayuen? I would think you would think of some ways to help our people; to stop child abduction in our community; stop cattle raiding for our community to live in peace with their neighbors.
Frankly speaking, Dr. Riek destroyed Greater Bor community in 1991, but we forgave him until he made stupid decision to destroy our community second times. But, if forgiving Dr. Riek for second times will bring peace to stop the suffering of our civilians at the refugee’s camp, and the entire nation, then why not? I believe that the people of the republic of South Sudan will determine Dr. Riek kismet once he returned to Juba.
Brig. Malak, and Gen. Paul Malong, though Dr. Riek isn’t admitting publicly, I believe he feels ashamed for what he did to Greater Bor community & the entire nation for the second times. Nonetheless, continuing with the war will not bring back our loved ones. Gen. Malong and Brig. Malak if you need justice to be served in South Sudan, then, let Dr. Riek comes back to Juba first, and nation will determine proper procedures to find justice on both sides.
Brigadier Malak, & Gen. Malong, please stop preaching war, and come up with some strategies to save the lives of the remaining population in our nation. More wars will take away more lives; impede the developments. As the army generals, you should find ways to set up projects and research centers in perfecting the nation army instead. You need to stop war mentality, and work with what’ll bring peace and reconciliation in our nation.
I know that you’re not the men of God, but to bring peace isn’t a rocket science. Instead of being far Dinkaists, you should be moderate politicians; work hard to bring lasting peace for our civilians to return home and rebuild their lives again. I therefore, would advise you to stop weighing war with someone who is living luxury lives in hotel at foreign country.
The people, who’re dying on both frontlines, are South Sudanese citizens, and these citizens should look at each other as brothers, countrymen and women, but not enemies to one another. Comrades, start listening to citizens and bring peace to our beloved nation now!
The author’s a concern South Sudanese; resided in the states, and can be reach @abraham_Chol@yahoo.com
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