What Do Dr. Riek and his Cohorts Want: Peace or Power?
By Kuol Kuol Makuach
Man’s absolute aim/goal once he realizes that he exists in this world as a result of powers out of his making, he begins to make free choices as a rebuttal to the fact that he never chose to be where he is. And because of this, he should be free to decide what to do with his life.
This is the thinking of Existentialists. Thus, there is an aim for embarking on any journey and therefore, Dr Riek and his group certainly are out for something obvious to the rest of us in South Sudan or possibly for something hidden and it needs breaking through to know it.
As to the above question, it seems that they need peace after all, we saw that, after the crisis, Riek chose to negotiate peace with the very group he claims to have planned to “kill” him. This was immediately after the crisis of 15th Dec. 2013.
Obviously, when one is bitter, one cannot engage in any meaningful discussion with whoever one feels to have wronged him/her. But the fact that he agreed to discuss peace with those whom he accused of targeting innocent Nuer civilians where he hails from speaks volume about him.
Wars are fought in order to attain peace but they have consequences. Today in South Sudan, thousands are dead. Most of this death happened as a result of gunshots sustained either directly or through strayed bullets. Many have died due to sicknesses as a result of hospitals closure in some places because of this senseless war.
Some have died due to hunger as many are forced to leave their homes and search for safer places which happen to lack food. And finally, some have died due to trauma-of witnessing these malicious atrocities. Among these are children.
Inasmuch as wars bring about death, they also derail the development of the country or that part which is engaged in it. In the greater Upper Nile since this uncalled for war started, no one is thinking about education, about infrastructures, about social amenities and anything that could reduce the abject poverty this country has been engulfed in since time memorial. How could one think of this when it is a question of life and death?
The other regions too don’t benefit even though no physical fighting is going on there, after all the pretext that the government uses is that, there is war and so, all that is there in government coppers is diverted to fund it. No one can be fooled here, even before the crisis, there was no progress.
Dr Riek too, toured neighbouring countries to explain the genesis of the problem and to urge the leaders in those countries to talk to Salva Kiir and his government to choose peace instead of working so much to defeat the rebels. And should Kiir refuse to listen to them, then they should shun him. How these leaders should actually intervene is left to them to decide and is not the concern of the writer.
Dr Riek and his negotiating team signed in January and May 9th this year, remarkable documents which urged both sides to restrain from attacking one another and instead engross themselves to discuss the way forward to bring an end to the crisis. Again, this is a clear indication, the suffering is too much and should stop.
Because of these examples, there is enough evidence to show that, Dr Riek and his cronies do not want their country and people to suffer when they can actually intervene by negotiating peace even if it pains them as individuals.
So far so good, is that all? Of course not. They say in the church that “don’t preach water and drink wine?” (or is it the other way round). Anyway, it doesn’t matter, but what am trying to drive at is, don’t say what you don’t mean unless there is a slip of the tongue which you can immediately correct and cannot be held responsible. The notion of peace to this group is tantamount to power and I will give few examples. They say peace when actually they need power.
This war started three months after the dissolution of the government (July 2013) and this “great/big reshuffle as most of the writers had called it at the time it happened, saw most of the current faces that are staunch opponents of the government left out.
Remember, Majority of all those that are either the former detainees or active combatants with Dr Riek once served in the then “beautiful, less corrupt, no dictatorship” government of Salva Kiir. Now, isn’t this obvious that, they became annoyed as to why Salva Kiir removed them? Even me, I would surely “complain” but will not take up arms.
However, what we need to understand is, when you are appointed in a certain capacity, it entails two things: first it is a privilege that you get into that position when there are over 12 million South Sudanese who could actually occupy that seat just like the way you are and since not all can be ministers at the same time, you have this chance.
Secondly, it is a challenge. You happened to be selected among all those that would have equally been appointed, what will you do to the people/country? Obviously, they thought that having brought peace gives them absolute freedom and right to be our leaders forever is barbaric, unsophisticated and unpalatable. If you want such a country, it would rather be your homes- your wives and kids that you can be their boss forever not South Sudanese.
So, in short, they are actually protesting their removal in different forms (some through peaceful means, a path chosen by the Former SPLM detainees while others it is war). This was clearly manifested when they held that fateful press conference on Dec. 6th.
Secondly, the rebels have been pushing for the removal of Salva Kiir after all according to them, is no more legitimate and they proposed none other than their own rebel leader Dr Riek as the interim president. This theory has two things, first, Salva would then lose his seat just like the way they lost their seats in July 2013 and secondly, it is to come back to power they lost.
Dr Riek and his rebel group are advocating for Federal system of governance which they never supported when they were in the government. However, this U-turn has been dissected and it is now clear as to why they are calling for it.
It is obvious that, they have become so pathetic in the eyes of South Sudanese and would be unthinkable that they can be trusted to hold big positions although the government of Salva Kiir is good at that. Praise, employ and guard the most dangerous man that has committed atrocities to the people (Militias and finally Yau Yau are examples).
Thus, they are actually advocating for federal system of governance as it will confine them to their cocoons/states where they are popular and not where they are unpopular. And remember they are asking for 70% share in the revenue collected at the state.
Finally, the last document that was finally tabled as the guiding principle in the next round of talks by IGAD was signed by the government but on his part, Dr Riek abated the signature. In that document, the reasons that Dr Riek and his group gave as to why he couldn’t sign are so naïve and fallacious.
If it is not power, why should one refuse to sign a document which will pave the way for the resolutions?Do these people really feel the pain South Sudanese are going through? Dr Riek needs same power with the president. How would this be possible?
It means, two parallel governments would be in the country as the President once talked of UN as another government within South Sudan. No progress can come from this kind of “same” power government as each would be opposed often to the suggestion of the other.
Were Dr Riek serious and ready to stop the bloodshed of the people, he can go ahead sign the document and chooses one of the two, to lead the opposition from outside the government that is by supporting whoever will be the Premier or actually becoming the Prime Minister and ensures that all that was agreed to be implemented within 30 months is actually done and waits for the next term to contest. He is not too old.
Yes indeed the Protocol on principle of the formation of the National transition government has some clauses which indeed are not good, but the notion of peace is paramount and should not be denied for one’s own interest.
To conclude, there is one of the principles of being, and that is the Principle of Non-contradiction which states that, “a thing cannot both be and not be at the same time.” You cannot be advocating for peace and power at the same time and when a room for resolving those issues is offered, you refuse. Declare your intentions rather than dangling in a pendulum.
IGAD should now see clearly that, there is no hope for peace in this country and neither side sees the suffering people are going through after all do they have children/wives in the country?
They live like foreigners in their own country. This is why no roads, no schools, no hospitals mention them, were and are not being done. Both the government and the Rebels are interested in power and wealth.
Kuol Makuach can be reached at ariabbeek@yahoo.co.uk
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