Sudan Tribune’s Lack of Journalistic Ethics
4 min readDavid Mayen Ayarbior, Press Secretary in the Office of H.E the Vice President, James Wani
June 26, 2015 (SSB) — I have read with dismay an article on Sudan Tribune in which they ostensibly quoted my article about the Vice President’s position. While I have never spoken with any journalist from that website, I was quoted to have said (put as have “claimed”) that: “our people and the President know that the current vice president is one of the leaders who have never let them [down] and will never ever let the [down].”
Other inaccurate quotations (parenthesis used) of my last week’s press release (it could be found in PaanLuel, Citizen, and Juba Post) were there, but irrelevant to my purpose in this observation.
My main foul call is for Sudan Tribune’s first quote, which I can say is cynical. I take it that way because first: I never said that VP Igga will never ever… second that is not my way of arguing. Only sycophants will say never ever when talking about their bosses. If at all I use the word never, I will use one never, for it sounds immature to follow it with ever. VP Igga’s record does not need putting such emphasis.
Saying, “never ever betray South Sudan” translates into insinuating that Riek has betrayed South Sudan in 1991. While many people characterize that split in their own view; my own perspective about such occurrences which are characterized in ethnic terms could be found in my 2013 book titled House of War: Civil War and State Failure in Africa. I see ethnic conflict in Africa such as the 1991 split in a wider context than Sudan Tribune would want to portray.
Now, what is the intention behind quoting the VP (his Press Secretary) a couple of days after Comrade Pagan Amum was reinstated in his former position as Secretary General? Normally, Pagan’s reinstatement should usher us into a new era of optimism about the prospects of peace in South Sudan, hence our talk as South Sudanese should somewhat follow along the spirit of reconciliation. Why should I demonize Riek at this time? Only Sudan Tribune knows.
Actually, as an academic, my view is that although Dr. Riek apologized for 1991 for it was an unwise decision from him to split and fight South Sudanese like him, there remains a positive to be taken from his Khartoum Agreement 1997. When I did my comparative analysis about the Khartoum Agreement and CPA, I found that they were more or less the same document.
Hence, I thought Dr. John (who was far much more powerful militarily and politically credible in the eyes of the world) borrowed the content and spirit of Riek’s Khartoum Agreement into the CPA, before forcing Khartoum to sign it after getting Riek to his side. As South Sudanese, some of us are conscious of those dynamics leading to the CPA and referendum. Hence, we give Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
Knowing what I know about Riek’s contribution, positive and negative, I wouldn’t jump into demonizing him neither directly nor through such stupid insinuation maliciously attributed to me by Sudan Tribune. At least not now.
That notwithstanding, I will put across my own unapologetic analysis (like my recent response) that could prove Riek wrong in taking certain political decisions and challenges that have led to inter-ethnic wars pitting the Dinka and Nuer. I believe that his thirst for power has always blinded him from safeguarding the positive legacy he might have had, and could still have, with regard to South Sudan getting its referendum, independence, and seeking development as a state. Let him come home for people need his positive contribution, rather than fighting a senseless war.
Finally, Sudan Tribune is run by (North) Sudanese based in France, hence its analysis of our South Sudanese issues reflect the owners’ perception of us, which is subconsciously or consciously racist and myopic. Northerners think we are a bunch of primitive Africans who are consumed by mutual hatred. No wonder they thought, and still think, we cannot effectively govern ourselves, solve our political problems, live in peace, and economically prosper.
Journalistic ethics require media outlets to quote people correctly when they actually talked to them.
Mayen D.M.A. Ayarbior, Press Secretary in the Office of H.E the Vice President (DMAYEND@YAHOO.COM)
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