Speech by the Rebel Commander, Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth, in Akobo, Jonglei State

“Remarks of Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang, Military Governor of Upper Nile State (SPLM/A IO), addressing war-wounded heroes in Akobo on 2nd September 2014

1. Dear Comrades, wounded heroes. Salva Kiir imposed tribal war on Nuer on 15th December 2013 in which, for the first time in the history of South Sudan, he carried out premeditated genocide of over thirty thousand innocent civilians of Nuer Ethnic Group. This can only be equated with holocaust committed against Jewish Community by tyrant Hitler of Germany, and with genocide in Rwanda several decades ago.

Dear comrades, wounded heroes, your fellow brothers fell in Malakal three times and in Nassir. You are fighting a just war. We must continue to fight in order to liberate your people from tyranny. In fact, the war is not about power struggle, as some people may claim, not a fight to take leadership of the country. But rather, it is a fighting to get rid of tyranny of endemically corrupt, tribalistic, nepotistic and oppressive regime that at will butchers its people. Bad leadership of tyrant Salva Kiir must go if South Sudanese are to enjoy lasting peace in their land. Salva Kiir is nothing less than deadly Ebola in West Africa. He is just another deadly Ebola of South Sudan, which must be got rid of.

2. I would like to express my gratitude to Honourable Hilde Johnson, Former Special Representative of UN Secretary-General in South Sudan for having been able to save lives and protecting our people in UNMISS camps in Juba, Malakal, Bor and Bentiu. Many thanks too UNMISS Human Rights department for having exposed to the whole world evidence of committed genocide in Juba. However, the fact that US government led by Democrats and regional bloc IGADD, today, wants to turn down the facts of genocide and other human right abuses and wants to impose tyrannically brutal leadership on South Sudanese is a different thing altogether. We must continue to reject their blackmailing agenda. South Sudanese need peace more than anybody else. It is South Sudanese themselves that will bring their peace – a lasting peace under new leadership, not Salva Kiir’s.

3. Comrades, wounded heroes. Be informed that our negotiating team in Addis Ababa, contrary to what Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin alleged on Radio Tamazuj, did not sign any peace agreement including permanent cease-fire. The IGADD proposal failed to address the root causes of the conflict. It aimed at keeping Salva Kiir in power for the next period of time, and so was rejected by our team. That biased document of biased IGADD can never be signed by our negotiating team or by any sound member of SPLM/A. Thanks to the Chairman, Dr Riek Machar and our delegation for their wise decision to reject IGADD’s biased document that intends to retain the status quo. Salva Kiir must go home in order for South Sudanese to live in peace.

4. IGADD mediation process will, in my view, never yield lasting peace in South Sudan, for IGADD mediators are seriously compromised/biased due to conflict of interests as for sure some of them have directly been involved in the war (e.g. Uganda) fighting alongside the government. I would therefore urge UN Security Council to give responsibility of mediation to any neutral African countries (other than IGADD-member countries) that may be able to mediate between warring parties impartially.

5. I also urge US government led by Democrats to review their foreign policy towards resolving conflict in South Sudan and portray neutrality, and to stop aiding and keeping in power the regime of South Sudan Ebola – Salva Kiir.

6. Dear comrades and compatriots, there are traitors who, like Salva Kiir, also killed innocent Nuer civilians in Juba. These are Col. Simon Kun Puoc, Gen. James Hoth Mai, Joseph Nguen Monytuil, John Kong Nyuon, James Kok Ruei, Thomas Duoth Guet, Johnson Gony Biliu, Riak Gai Kok, and John Gai Yoh. These people conspire against you, insult and kill you simply in exchange for position and money from Salva Kiir. Just like Judas Iscariot who sold Jesus Christ, they sold you and killed you simply to get money and position from Salva Kiir’s government. So do not blame them for history will judge them harshly, but we are going to fight on till South Sudan Ebola –Salva Kiir- goes home.

7. Dear comrades, wounded heroes. You are fighting a just war and thus must fight on till Salva Kiir steps down, marking a total liberation of all South Sudanese from tyranny and tribalism.

In conclusion, I would like to express sincere thanks to Gen. Duop Lam, Military Governor of Jonglei State, and Cde Koang Rambang, Commissioner of Akobo County for warm reception accorded to you (war-wounded) and me.”