Gov’t Chief of Military Intelligence: There was no Coup on December 15th
5 min readBy PaanLuel Wel,
Reports from Juba have it that the head of military intelligence, Gen. Mac Paul Kuol Awar, has rubbished the alleged coup attempt of December 15, 2013. Mac Paul was called as a government witness to testify against the detained 4 political prisoners (Pagan, Oyai, Majak and Gatkuoth) who are arraigned in court, charged with treason.
Ironically, the Director of military intelligence, who was called to back up government’s assertion that there was a coup, came out strongly arguing that there was no such thing as a coup. Instead, he said, it was a misunderstanding among the soldiers of Tiger Battalion, which was then mishandled till it escalated into a countrywide rebellion.
“It’s unfortunate that things unfolded in the way they were within the Tiger unit. The situation could have been reverted but the escalation of the fight during that night prevented all the efforts“, Paul said.
According to the Citizen Newspaper report, Mach Paul told the court that the four political detainees have nothing to do with the alleged coup and the subsequent armed rebellions in Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states.
“The SPLA Director of Intelligence, Gen. Mac Paul, told the Court that he, as an intelligence officer, has no clue that the four suspects were behind the attack but pointed out that he believes there were some political problems within the SPLM party which started way back before the incident of December 15.”
Upper Nile Times, an online website, reports:
“In a major blow to the prosecution’s claim of ‘coup d’etat’ attempt by the four SPLM members currently being investigated for treason charges, Mac Paul the head of military intelligence testified that the event of December 15 2013 cannot be classified as a coup attempt, instead it can be viewed as dissatisfied individuals in the Tiger Unit trying to vent their frustrations on their counterparts.
If confirmed, the fact that a government witness and the director of South Sudan’s military intelligence would dare to stick out his neck and publicly contradict Government’s account of events–that there was an aborted coup–would be a turning point in the prosecution of the 4 political detainees.
Moreover, it compels one to wonder out aloud as to how things are done in Juba: what was the government thinking when they took Mac Paul to the witness box? What did the government expect that he would say? Was there a briefing?
It must be recalled that Mac Paul himself has been numerously accused in the past of planning to carry out a coup against President Kiir. Did the fact that he was falsely accused in the past played into his action of disparaging government’s account of December 15t events? Maybe, maybe not!
The news, which is yet to be verified, has unleashed a plethora of comments on social media in praise for and condemnation of Mac Paul’s action.
“Wow, Mac Paul doesn’t worry about his job like other folks in South Sudan. Telling the truth or speak your mind is always the best option. Why prosecutors want him to testify so bad for the last two weeks? If your witness turn against you in court, is it not a blow to your case? The people of South Sudan deserve to know what set our country ablaze? prosecutors have provided any tangible evidences to support coup claimed. Insulted a president or calling for a protest are not evidence for the coup claimed” writes Dengcol on Facebook.
And South Sudanese journalist, Mading Ng’oor, cautions and stresses that:
“Folks, get Mac Paul correctly on his recent court testimony. He said that he was alarmed by an incident on Dec. 13 when a Nuer officer tried to steal the key for an ammunition store in Giyada. Mac also said that he ordered the arrest of the officer. He also said that Taban Deng called him by phone to inquire about the whereabouts of the officer. Mac said that he was perturbed about ‘politicians’ interfering in military affairs. In response, Mac said he called a meeting of all security organs to discuss this issue which he deemed to be a threat to national security. Then the December 15 violence broke out. Mac further said that Taban Deng was the mastermind of the violence —but said nothing incriminating against the G4, as he said he personally didn’t have any evidence linking the four to the Dec. 15 unrest.”
In a swift reaction to the news, Reng’o Gyyw, a concerned citizen and a regular commentator on South Sudanese issues, argues that “we need to get away from this coup thing and focus on really issues.” And indeed, rather than focusing on a distractive and destructive speculation on a contested coup, we have tons of thorny real issues to occupy us forever!
It remains to be seen how (and what) Aleu Ayieny would testify on Monday against the four political detainees. It has been claimed, however, that Hon. Aleu Ayieny is part of the problem as he has a personal vendetta against Pagan Amum and should never have therefore been allowed to give testimony against the four prisoners.
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Who is Mac Paul? This man has always been at odd with the current government. If they were dissatisfied individuals within the Tiger Battalion, why he did not detect and quell it before it grew big to that extend? He (Mac Paul) must also be a suspect. I can remember this man was leaking out important intelligent information to Khartoum regime using the Sudanese Ambassador to South Sudan in 2011-2012. Every other night passing, the Ambassor used to sneak out and team up with Mac at a time when you expect such a high profiled foreign diplomat to be at his residence. There are lots to say about this Intelligence Chief of our Country.That Ambassador was believed to be from terrorist chain because he was a jihadist who has been fighting a holy war against SPLA/SPLM in 1980’s to early 2000. He was appointed to South Sudan on purpose by Bashir because he is a very good manipulator in any situation especially when dealing with enemies. Mac Paul must be looked at empirically (all senses). It is a big surprise for the government to have arrested politicians without including the Intelligent units personnel especially the like of Mac Paul. This is a proof that Mac Paul’s hands are blood stained. Including in the accused panel. Thousands of people dead and Mac claimed these thugs were not linked to the foiled coup d’eta in Juba….what a ridiculous situation! Anyway, we shall wait for Aleu Ayieny Aleu’s testimony as one of the key witnesses whether he will follow suit, and make our final judgement as citizens of this new nation.
i wonder how the MI chief deny this tangible fact behind our country chaos,perhaps that is why there had been no collective evidences from military intelligent personels.
since this man was appointed to that post,the MI went a slept as all these planning had been leaked out to the citizens while the intelligent is not paying attention to it. the man may be another suspect as he had been accused several times with Majak de Agot of trying to stage the coup which he is denying today.
Truth liberate though it hurts!
It is known locally and internationally that the incident of the 15.Dec.2013 was not a failed coup instead a failed assasination attempted against the reformists (KIIR Oponents)
Mac Paul, you are right though you rubbished it lately!
Mac Paul speak the truth and those are people we need not to cover this government.
The game Has started.
……so the big question remains, who will be held accountable for 2013.12.15 event………
it seems there will be no justice just like in many other cases…….
the big men+women of SPLM/A both in town and in the bush will soon splash the local persons dirty water on juba roads in their V-8 powerful engine as they rejoice.
I hope peace prevail after the court case and Adis Ababa peace talks.
Justice is optional…….
mach paul is a well trained (mi) by telling the trueth that no coup planned in the country by DR RIAK MACHAR and his colleuges therefore kiir and his tribal advisors plus his cabinet must be responsible for the death of thousand innocent civilian. mach paul didnot see any coup on 15/12/2013 as chief of military intelligent and that is correct military perception because well trained mi cannot be misleaded by influence of others.
You are so brave that you decide to stay by truth. Tell the truth and the truth will set you free. You are a great hero. You did not just stayed in the bush for more than twenty years for nothing, comrade Mach, congratulation.
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he mean what? really in south sudan no accountability
South Sudanese are supposed to be like Gen. Mac Paul Kuol Awaar. Standing with right is what is needed. If the government has the right, then give it its right; and if a non-government has the right, give it to that person or group. What is needed is fairness, not biasness. Keep a way from self-interest whenever you are making a decision between the two. At last all of them are South Sudanese, so make good judgement to them, by applying objectivity, integrity and partiality.
Thank you,
Daniel Ajaangdit Yuoot.