What is “Rabeccadit” Doing in Nairobi, Kenya?
5 min readMalith Alier, Juba
The top liberation and political figures are for the first time outside the country in tens if not hundreds. This was due to last December upheaval created by them and them alone. It is worthless to mention them by names because everyone knows them by their three names as well as by their true colours. The South Sudanese masses also know the ones who have left us having accomplished their national duty; let their souls rest in peace.
The SPLM warring factions were not only political figures, they were also entrepreneurs. They are ardent investors who have extensive investments in hotels, real state, transport, schools, banking industry among others. These investments are owned by some of these folks under the guise of foreigners. It is not clear why they have turned their back on South Sudan and its people despite this fact.
Until recently, Mama Rabecca was thought to be the foremost mother of the nation. Her great achievements alongside those of her late husband were unmatched in the history of this nation. Don’t call it great nation or “beled azim” yet. This is because the rest of the world regards this country as failed or fragile state. There are reasons for that. In addition, it is always said that let you be praised by others but not by yourself. Self-praise is no recommendation.
Back to our main topic of what is Rabeccadit doing in Nairobi? The SPLM government is now largely composed of factions who struggle over its name. The factions do not think that life exists outside SPLM. The SPLM main, DC, IO, detainees etc. it is the SPLM of wings and varied interests.
What is very interesting is that some SPLM members who are also in the government but have left the country as rebels are still holding positions. Rabeccadit is an adviser to the president on gender and social affairs. The president is yet to decree her out of the government. Some South Sudanese like me would like to hear from anybody if this is not true.
The SPLM factions as above go to Addis Ababa to talk peace but Rabeccadit is stuck in Nairobi. It’s not clear whether she has abandoned the rebellion altogether. “e rot la week Nairobi ci koor xon cam Acok” roughly translated as that lioness who isolated herself after consuming Acok. This is what Rabeccadit has done after escaping coup aftermath. South Sudanese have no idea on how to characterise her. She should tell us if she has abandoned her erstwhile political ambitions. It is always said that if one is not part of the solution one must be part of the problem.
This fact however, does not stick in some circumstances. There may be neutral people or koc ke wun ci kuath. The former first lady, Rabeccadit should be unequivocal in this situation of death or life. She must stay true to her calling, to be part of solution or part of the problem. She was part of the problem for three reasons; she tasted power as mother of the first family, she is member of the SPLM, she wanted to be presidential candidate along with other ambitious comrades and finally she was pro coup as evidenced by her unequivocal statements after the coup. She put her words were her mouth belonged.
Her actions have not only divided the country but also her very children. We know where they are and who supports what. What is not clear in the circumstances is whether Rabeccadit has finally passed the quest for political leadership to her eldest son. Keeping silent about this creates possibilities for rejoinder of the power protagonist in this case Rabeccadit.
There exists some mystery between the SPLM and Rabecca’s family. The former first family has not managed to dissociate itself from the fond memories of the old SPLM. They do not even know how far the SPLM has come. To them, the SPLM has been hijacked. Rabeccadit spoke and continuously speak about it every moment she dares to make us believe it. It is not a creation of this author. It is in the public domain.
This writer was once downgraded by someone who thought he was antagonising the former first family. This theory of antagonism rests squarely with Rabeccadit. Despite her position in the government, she continuously antagonises the same government that has greatly honoured her and hubby in many ways. There is no need to mention honours one by one here. All south Sudanese are well aware of them.
One wonders whether that gentleman is unaware about the schemes by Rabeccadit to destabilise the current government and recreate the nation in her family image. The bush SPLM is not better than the current one on democracy and human rights records. Corruption is the other dimension added after CPA. It was not clear how Rabeccadit and the group intend to correct those anomalies.
At this juncture, it is up to the government to delink itself from insatiable families or individuals who think that they are indispensable in the political dispensation. Change is there and nobody should stop it. It is your turn today and my turn tomorrow. There is no fuss about that.
The SPLM led government should start winnowing the chaff from the grain. Those who have amassed wealth in the period between 2005 and 2013 should go and rest where they stashed that wealth. They process of making them return the loots has failed from the start. Those who have the interest of the country at heart should be allowed to oversee transition to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
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