Guilty of False Coup Allegation in Juba
By Manyok Mabiei, USA
From my field of Criminal Justice System, “a false allegation” is considered in which a person deliberately accuses another person of a crime that he did not commit and does so with full knowledge that the accused person is not guilty of that crime. It is some time as a form of revenge, an attempt to divert attention away from a guilty side, or as a way for the accuser or accusers to prevail in an ongoing dispute. The tactic for making falsely claims about a person’s behavior varies by jurisdiction in some places is treated as a crime in itself.
One of the difficulties in handling “a falsely allegation” is that there are some of the cases in which it is impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone has committed a crime even if he or she is in true of guilty. I considered a “false allegation” as a dangerous crime tough to overweigh and approve beyond the facts of reasoning of mankind.
I was silenced from a word “coup” since the outbreak of violence in mid of December, 15TH, 2013. While, I was busy searching for the enough evidences if that was a coup on that day of December, which turns a young nation into massive conflicts. As according to my views and some sources of evidences, this is a bitter humiliation in South Sudan.
Before, I begin “a false allegation coup” in Juba. President Kiir Mayardit is a longest veteran of the Sudan People Liberation Movement and same time he is an elected President of South Sudan. There is nothing this leader was expected to learn from her nation and the whole world that he wasn’t learned from his long struggles in the bush.
However, a survivable of the Sudan People Liberation Army/Movement and President of South Sudan Mr. Kiir Mayardit is ruling a nation into dark style of jungle laws. The 1983 SPLA Manifesto has not been changed, even though the South Sudan got fully independent as a country. As according to my understanding in a current Constitutional of the South Sudan there is no “term limit” of the President, as a matter of fact cause violence in the nation. I read the current Constitutional and there is no “term limit” was mentioned on it.
A last year of July, a President Kiir Mayardit was reshuffling his cabinet, ministers, and his party members at same time. At this point, is not a first time he made a reshuffling of his cabinet and members of his party, since he was in the Office of President in 9years! He made a reshuffling several times, but not including his Vice-President and large number of his cabinet. That was a good move, but it is not common in the society of law and the world of democratic.
It’s can be happen from any democratic society to give president some powers to remove any of his or her in the cabinet, but not all of them at one. There are some positions president have limit of powers to remove some of the positions including – – Chief Justice and Vice-President in the country without approvable from Legislative Branch.
Well, Mr. President Kiir sacks an entire cabinet and fired all his ministers and deputy ministers, along with Vice-President Riek Machar Teny. No answer was provided for the entire cabinet reshuffle on July, 2013. A message was announced on Tuesday evening broadcast South Sudan television a “presidential decree” from Salva Kiir, saying he had dismissed all of his cabinet ministers, including his vice-president, and ordered an investigation into the secretary general of his ruling SPLM party Mr. Pagan Amum.
President Kiir was sacked all his cabinet and others without using a language of admiration to address public and former leaders. I heard his announcement, while I was in my village Dotwong, Bor along the Nile River on the radio. I told the people in my present that “South Sudan will be in red zone” and it came true after I left the country on November, 5, 2013.
“Why should there be instability in South Sudan? This is a Constitutional problem (Kiir) is the head of the government. The decree provided no reasons for the complete dismissal rather than use a “term limit” in every position in the government. A word “decree” was commonly used by President of South Sudan to avoid his own cabinet and legislative branch to deal with public affairs. A word is commonly used by President Kiir in the government, which can’t help.
From my own presumption a word “decree” use by President Kiir is an unlawful to help the country. In any society of law like United States of America, if president need any change, it can be approved by the Members of Congress and Senates. Then the request will work or it can die without return back to president. It seems to me, President Kiir is working alone avoiding his own cabinet and members of his party to share the public affairs. This seemed to me, as a lack of confident and mistruth of fear to people around him as a part of problem.
For example, President Kiir had suspended Pagan Amun, the secretary general of the SPLA/M party, and launched an investigation against him, without mentioning further details. Mr. Amun was known as South Sudanese top negotiator in peace and cooperation talks with the North Sudan.
Mr. Amun is a well-known as a long veteran of the SPLA, since the beginning of the Movement. Amun was removed from his position as a secretary of the party and other politicians without legislative branch notification or awareness. Amun was engaging calling his President 10-times to call a general meeting of the party, because the rules of party were expired and he was kicked out in the party.
And President Kiir Mayardit was not responded until mid of December, while everything was built up from his party during reshuffling of cabinet and members of party.
So, what was really happened to look at in July, 2013? Mr. President Kiir was sacked entire cabinet and fired all his ministers and deputy ministers, along with Vice-President Riek Machar Teny. He also fired his own secretary of the party Mr. Amun. No reason was issued for the complete cabinet reshuffles on July, 2013, until now.
Do any concerns citizen blindfolded on that day these politicians from top to bottom in the government were sacked and fired should go out and silence without saying anything? I can say a person who is not in our living world can’t believe from that reshuffling nothing could happen.
Being a leader and public figure like Former Vice-President Riek Machar and Pagan Amun who were serving the nation within and outside were built up huge allies in their long term leaderships. As well as we know that Dr. Riek Machar Teny marriage two women from powerful nations. Emma McCune Teny was a British native and Becky Teny from United States. These two women will give him an “upper hand” of supports from Western countries not to pay attention on South Sudan domestic violence.
And Mr. Amun was a well-known through negotiator with Khartoum Government and some other allies with South Sudan. These two leaders were built up strong network outside and within the country. I doubt these politicians and public figures can go out and sleep without saying anything against Kiir leadership. Besides, that in mid-December Mr. President Kiir was overwhelmingly with a lot of pressures within a party to a call general meeting. On Saturday, December, 14, 2013 was a beginning of the first meeting in Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba – – And there was no serious threat at that day as well as everyone was waiting, how, President Kiir will address the nation and thankful to those who serve the country from jungle to free land.
On day two Sunday, December, 15, 2013 there was “red eyes and hate faces” within the building things were turning ugly as well. Mr. President Kiir was mentioned in the meeting that, “some people were defected away in 1991,” such kind of language scared some of the politicians at that day without returning to the last meeting.
On Monday, December, 16, 2013, an entirely cabinet those who were fired with some ministers and deputy ministers, along with Vice President Riek Machar Teny were not return to join the last meeting in Nyakuron Cultural Center. Some of them were accused by President Kiir said that, “some people here were defected away in 1991. Is that correct to President Kiir to mention those words in the conference? If the Government of South Sudan open up the old files, so President Kiir Mayardit file should be open too like those criminals. We can open his file the time he was almost defecting away in Rumbek, Lakes State. Kiir was accusing Dr. John Garang that, “he carrying the SPLA as a briefcase with him anywhere he go.” Mr. Kiir also sings a song with one of the lady who attends the meeting on that day.
I believe some of these ministries were attends meeting to hear what President Kiir will say, like thanks and honors for their long serves in the nation. But things turn out in the meeting as a political threat and no peaceful dialogue. I believe to myself that people like Dr. Majak Agoot and Honorable Deng Alor will not take the guns and point them to their own people. If that true, then Mr. Kiir can turn a gun to other Dinka too.
On Monday, December, 16, 2013, was an ugly day in the history of South Sudan. President Kiir was accused his Former Vice-President Riek Machar was a “coup” attempt, while Mr. Riek Machar was hiding in Juba from house to house to get the exit, when things were turn brutally.
Well, what could happen if these politicians attend the last meeting on December, 16, 2013? I presume that if the politicians were attending the meeting, there could be no violent because Kiir side was waiting the politicians’ side what is their intention, before they can take action.
The question remains from Kiir side on that day, why these politicians were not show up in the last meeting?
Here is a right place I came up with this Title “Guilty of False Allegation Coup in Juba,” because Kiir side were presuming these politicians are not showing up today, maybe, they have plan “B” like a coup to overtake the government through the military action. This is the time they lost a point of reasoning and rush to the Headquarter of Military and disarm a man with circle marks. I’m not taken any side but I’m vision it.
But in military rules to disarm someone there are a few chances for survival or not survive. At that moment the South Sudan was in high alert of conflict, and was not easy to give-up your tool to someone easily.
Therefore, the politician’s sides were blaming Kiir side of using a word of rebellion of 1991 in the meeting and that why they don’t show up in the last meeting on Monday. Another point of view, maybe, Dr. Riek Machar was having plan “B” while some other politicians were not aware about his journey.
Why? A man was hiding from house to house in Juba and until he left to Bor at night. He was in Juba on December, 14, 15, 16, 17 and until he left Juba on Wednesday, December 18 to Bortown at night through motor boat along the Nile River. I believe if Riek Machar was not left Juba at that day and stay in his house or run to UN Company. I think the country could not reach this brutally stage of suffering.
I believe a “coup” is power assume political to control of the country by decisive change of government illegally or by force. There are three types of coups that I believe. (1) To use the military action to overtake the government by force. (2) To assume control of government, while current leader take a leave of absent. (3) To use political tactic to control military and assassinate a current leader.
These three types of coups – – Is Riek Machar fit in to attempt a coups in South Sudan on that day?
If this was a planned “coup” by Former Vice-President and other politicians who were struggles to reform the systems of Juba. Why not these politicians were not found in one place during outbreak of violent in Juba, if this was a planned coup? As according to my understanding all these politicians were in Juba in their houses until the government orders a warrant arrest, while other three were escaped arrest including Riek Machar, Taban Deng, and Alfred Gore flew to Bortown at night.
If this was a planned “coup” maybe, Dr. Riek Machar was using plane “B” while the other politicians were not aware about his objective.
I still doubt to some of these political detainees to take the guns against their own people in term of leadership. When, I look at this case of these detainees who fought the war in their lifetime.
On the other hand, Dr. Riek Machar was a well-known in the history of Sudan as “a coup plotter and defector” from earlier 90s-2000s. As for example, in August, 21, 1991 Riek Machar Teny was defected away from the SPLA/M and formed his own party called Nasir-Faction including Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, as a masterminded supporter.
Mr. Riek Machar was defected away in frontline near Juba; and went to his village to recruits his own tribal men and led them to Borland for attack.
At that time Dr. Riek Machar in 1991, was killed nearly 10,000 and unaccountable civilians in Borland were being abducted by their tribal men. Maybe, Dr. Riek Machar was a mindset to weaken the Movement behind by killing the civilians in Bor and some other communities; as well he did again in December, 2013.
While, Dr. John Garang de Mabior was wagering a secular and democratic of the whole Sudan in which the Southerners would have full representation in Khartoum regime; while Dr. Riek wanted a fully independent South Sudan right away from Khartoum regime. How come you seek for the separation, while you are not even recognize first by ruling government?
As well some of people saying that, “if you looking for peace stand for war and there will be a chance for peace.” “Right away from Riek Machar was dangerous miscalculation move.”
In August, 21, 1991, Riek Machar, Lam Akol and Gordon Kong announced that John Garang should be kick away from the SPLA and they can take power over the Liberation as their private agenda. This was a part of the Nasir-Faction. Dr. Riek Machar was involved in the Bor massacre, where 10,000 civilians were killed in Bor in 1991, while some were died in the years later from the resulting of famine and diseases.
After, that in 1997 Dr. Riek Machar was defected to Khartoum regime after he was defeated by the SPLA forces and he became head of the government-backed South Sudan Defense Force (SSDF).
In additionally, in 2000 he left the SSDF and formed a new militia, the Sudan People’s Defense Forces/Democratic Front (SPDF). After all, he recognized that the Southerners are almost getting full independent from Khartoum regime, and then he changed his signal and rejoined the SPLA/M, as a Senior Commander to support Dr. John Garang during the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2000.
Dr. John Garang was accepted Dr. Riek Machar back to the Movement in Nairobi, Kenya in 2000, so that they can defeat a common enemy.
All these conspiracies were made by Dr. Riek Machar was spreading all over in South Sudan, as the vast majorities can’t believe him. Even if he trying his best of political move to clean his image.
There are still pains and recalls in some people minds that parents were kills from his political crime.
What was really happened in Juba might be “a coup” in some people minds, but I still doubt, as to say, “A political ideology,” of threat to the environment.
I will believe and join the believers of word coup, if President Kiir Mayardit will not run in 2015. That the time I will agree as a “coup plotter” was designed by Riek Machar Teny with his allies in Juba. Now, I will call it “a tactical scare allegation” to some of political candidates in coming election.
More to the points, some sources were described that there was no “coup” in Juba; because all the politicians were supporters of the South Sudan during struggle and referendum and they can’t make a coup to their own nation. The United States and United Nation were pointed out that there was no “coup” the time they look at it. Ms. Susan Page is Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan from United States and she was invited to Northwest University in Illinois. She describes much about the conflict in South Sudan.
Along the lines, it is difficult in my own view to make a “coup” to any leader came from Dinka side. It can happen, but it is dangerous to those who don’t think beyond the risk takes.
Similarly, Dr. Riek Machar was trying to overtake the liberation in 1991 against John Garang and he was failed to achieve power. To take power by force against Dinka man is a suicide in my own view.
It can be easy to make a coup some of the smaller communities in South Sudan, but it can be difficult to make a coup against a Dinka community leader through violent. This is bad to say, but it true from the nation I knows where every citizen considers himself or herself as a tribal man or woman rather than consider himself or herself as a nationalist. unaccountable underpays on his backyard. Well, these three women they don’t known themselves because they are from different countries around the world, as his first wife so-called Anelina Teny from Nuer in South Sudan, second wife from British so-called Emma Teny and lastly but not lastly Becky Teny from United States as native of Minnesota state.
If December, 16, 2013 was a coup attempt against President Kiir through military action by Dr. Riek Machar, it could be worse nightmare and call it a 24 hours President of South Sudan. I know Riek Machar was not over control of the military in South Sudan during an outbreak of violent.
This is a simple case there is no way the citizens should be fool by individual because of self-interest in leadership. Dinka and Nuer had same similarities of culture background, since they were cousins in the history of South Sudan. In term of braveness or aggressiveness no one can claim much better than other since in their competences in thousand years ago.
Dinka is a majority amongst 64 tribes, but does not mean that they can fight Nuer to an end in short period of time in South Sudan. That is a wrong assumption to do so; evenly Dinka is 3.8 million in South Sudan according a referendum records in 2010. And to make calculation 3.8 million to 1.6 million it turn out that two Dinka and extra were fights against one Nuer. This will not even solve the mass-conflict in South Sudan if people fight against one another.
This gives North Sudan a chance of happiness in the CPA agreements.
But there is no easy solution the way I see South Sudan heading to. I don’t favoring military solution should be answer, because there are a lot of consequences on it. It is not a problem to any side to use self-defend between the government and rebel side, but there should be plan “B” in all side.
It is not a bad idea to fight a long war with common enemy like before, but this war is a war of madness and greediness.
More to the points, there is no government will function peaceful if there is a conflict between the communities. When, I look at it, there is no easy solution, but there is an easy solution if government thinks wise enough to safe the nation. To avoid military solution will prevent a nation not to fall in long civil wars and sufferings.
If anyone in Kiir position what will you do to make peaceful dialogue? I think the best tool to defeat your friend. Just simple to thanks and give them credits of their serving their nation.
No reason was provided for the complete cabinet reshuffle on July, 2013.
I will not agree with those who believed that an outbreak of violence in Juba was a “coup” while I called a “political tactic to scare” toward politicians in coming election in 2015.
By Manyok Mabiei who is currently in Chicago, IL. He is concerns citizen in term of humanity and dependently thinker. He is a one of the SPLA-Chapter Founders in Chicagoland as a leader and Former Red-Army of South Sudan in 1987. He can be reach manyokmabiei@aol.com.
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