Riek Machar Failed Miserably to Justify his Rebellion on a Simple SBS Radio Interview
6 min readAn analysis by Kuer Garang Manyok and Gabriel Pager Ajang after having listened to Riek Machar interview on SBS Dinka Radio
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Riek Machar Failed Miserably to Justify his Rebellion on a Simple SBS Radio Interview
By Kuer Garang Manyok
After listening to Dr Reik Machar interview on SBS Radio Dinka by Ajak Deng Chiengkou, am pretty much in agreement with so many other listeners who’ve already expressed their opinions with respect to how the controversialized interview played in audience ears. While the interviewer might have been overcome by hyped self-esteem (of interviewing the highest figure in South Sudan politics) otherwise, anxiety I tend to take it relatively easy on Ajakguong Deng. Perhaps Ajak should take it easy on his staunch critics and, advisably, turns such into opportunities for potential improvement for next time.
My biggest surprise however, was how Dr Reik Machar, the rebels leader, failed to capitalize on a perfect opportunity that would otherwise be very hard to repeat itself sometimes soon. Reik Machar could not produce even one credible point besides his ‘run for dear life’ which is already a giveaway!
Despite restlessness and unnecessary interruption by the interviewer, I think Reik Machar should have still find ways to credibly communicate his part of the story. Remember the interviewer has monopoly on the questions but the interviewee reserves the right to answer ANY question the way he/she deems suitable to his intended message. Reik, the interviewee, failed this simple logic. Perhaps Dr Machar is exactly what his archrivals and other political opponents say he is: just a ‘paper doctor’.
Not to mention his doctoral dissertation/major that’s Strategic Planning, how can the most controversial leader; with much more to prove, in the country not swayed even a single listener – am well aware though that majority of the SBS Radio Dinka program listeners dislike him anyway. But, still that does not mean the truth would have refused its way into their ears. After all, the benefits of saying the truth would have outweighed his calculated thoughts of reservation – I believe Reik Machar was judgmental and that he wasn’t bothered convincing whoever was listening.
Machar’s denial of who orchestrated killing in Mading-bor was rather disturbing. If Gadet didn’t initiate it, who did? Being Reik’s right hand man, inarguably, Gadet started the rebellion in Mading-bor; summarily killing the Dinka soldiers including (General?) Ajak Yen after Reik Machar announced his rebellion and called on the military to topple Kiir government. Least, if any, is there to be defended about this ‘must die’ bastard call Gadet. The man (Gadet) is indefensible and Mr Machar should have worried more about himself than defending the already-on-deathbed criminal.
Comparatively, this was Mr Machar’s worst interview. The rebel leader should know that if he ever wants South Sudanese citizens to take him seriously, he must redeem himself trustworthy otherwise, he remains the worst murderer in the country despite having ‘ran away from Juba to save his life’. Why does his life worth more than any other citizen’s life or why should citizens worry about what would have happened to him when he doesn’t give a crap about their thoughts of him.
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My Reactions to Ajak Deng Chiengkou Interview With Dr. Riek Machar Teny
By Gabriel Pager Ajang
In the beginning of August, the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit will arrive in Washington to probably present his road map to peace in South Sudan, and potentially lobby the United States president and congress. I hope he enunciates chapter that would heal the country, peace, unity, and way forward. I will analyze president speech after he had delivered it but I will focus on Riek interview with Ajak Deng Chiengkou.
Last week, the radio talk host, Ajak Deng Chiegkou had an interview with rebels’ leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny. This was an impeccable opportunity to siege and convince the people of South Sudan on what happened December 15th, 2013. However, Riek admits massacred in Juba and deny atrocities in the Greater Upper Nile towns, and failed to present his peace proposal and way forward.
He squandered given opportunity, and categorically denied the mayhem unleashed in Bortown killing 2,500 led by Peter Gadet Yak, and White Army. He also denied massacre orchestrated by James Koang in Baliet, Panakuac, leer, Jau, Bongki, and Pariang in Pariang County where more 500 civilians were killed in a hospital and church in Baliet (Bentiu area). Riek denied massacre led by Gen. Gathoth Gatkuot led in Malakal Town, and especially Hospital where sick slayed, and elders were killed (all reported by UN personnel).
Dr. Riek quests for top leadership in South Sudan surfaced in 1991 when he rebelled against the late chairman of the SPLM/A, Dr. John Garang de Mabior. Surprisingly, in an interview, he told Ajak Chiengkou that his 1991 rebellious agendas detailed in Khartoum Agreement would be implemented to bring peace and democracy in South Sudan today. For those who do not have an idea of Nasir declaration or Khartoum Agreement, Riek calls for: Right of self-determination, Democratization of SPLA, and Society, Respect of Human Rights.
1. Right of self-determination: The problem is this not South Sudan, Riek plagiarized from 1954, and Addis Ababa Peace Agreement, all these Peace accords call for Right of Self-determination. The right of self –determination denied people of South Sudan a chance to vote in Referendum. It impedes CPA. Had Garang agreed, and joined Riek in Khartoum, we would have not had independent South Sudan today. The right of Self-determination was part of New Sudan vision. John Garang de Mabior calls for democratic transformed Sudan, where people of South Sudan will be allowed to vote for UNITY OR SCESSION, again NOT SELF-DETERMINATION.
2. Democratization of SPLA, and Society: Here I am not sure whether Riek is trained military but there is no democracy in Military. SPLM/A was a rebel movement and it would be difficult to democratize movement in the bush or under the trees.
3. Respect of Human Rights: in my humble opinion only a moral leader can call for respect of human right in South Sudan. Again and again in 1991, and in December of 2013, Dr. Riek Machar called on all the SPLA generals to overthrow democratic elected government. He singlehandedly incites violence and perpetrates massacre killing. He establishes SPLA/M in Opposition, which validated rebellion and affirmed that he intends to kill innocent people of Greater Upper Nile. Riek had somehow deceived Nuer, and especially Adok community where he hailed that they can capture South Sudan. Sad thing to write but it is true in Nuer community.
Riek proposal of 22 states suggests that he is declaring himself as a tribal leader. The proposed 22 states could cause more conflict than it can solve if his proposal were implemented. It is not ethnic federalism, let us call it what it is, TRIBALISM at its best.
Riek was born in Greater Upper Nile, and I could not conceive why he helps in destructions of his hometowns? 1.5 million people are internally displaced, and 50,000 will die by August, and 5 million almost half of the South Sudan population is at risk of starvation (BBC). Where is your Human side?
Bor Town, Bentiu, Malakal have exchanged hands more than five times, why would anyone who want to lead South Sudan takes war in ruin and cities laid wasted by artilleries? Why would he turn to his own region, and killed innocent people? Lots of questions but no answers.
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