Riek Machar’s Rebellion was not Because of the Slated June 2015 Elections
Riek Machar and his rebels didn’t take up arms because there were elections in the country
By Deng Lueth Yuang, Juba, South Sudan
January 19, 2015 (SSB) — We might disagree on the leadership conduct of national affairs. But one thing is crystal clear. The South Sudan’s rebels, opposition and civil society should understand that elections are constitutionally mandated to be carried out after the current regime terms come to an end in April, 2015. That is why North Sudan though at civil war with itself is going to hold its elections in April this year.
I just wonder and fail to understand why the rebels are not setting proper modalities for peace process to hold, yet they keep on complaining that the elections are not in their interest till peace is signed. When are they signing the damn peace?
And by the way, which peace are they talking about if they cannot sit down, and negotiate in good faith through give-and-take process of what is required of them. The government has offered them the position of premiership with some powers, though not a co-principle with the president. That is the highest seat they can get. Secondly, the hardest thing for anyone of us to accept is a separate rebel army. We know where they came from and where they are going with their malicious intentions.
If US is saying it won’t recognize or support the elections, they are not their elections; they are South Sudanese’, as people who will vote are African South Sudanese, not Americans. You cannot dictate the affairs of other nations that way! If the US wants to know these elections are in good faith, then let them send in observers and withhold their dollars.
If you say election cannot be held because South Sudanese are displaced. Look here, the population of South Sudan is about 12 million. 2 million is either in displaced or refugee camps whose majority are under voting age. 7 out of 10 states are peaceful. Some parts in Upper Nile region under government control are peaceful and those people over there can vote. Those who don’t want to vote are either rebels or live in rebel-controlled areas.
An election mandate for any government is a solemn declaration to the citizens by contesting parties to undertake new agenda for the nation. Let the parties who agree to run for elections bring forward their teams with manifestos and let the contest goes on.
Also the rebels and the international community especially the US should understand that any rebellion of any sort be it armed or peaceful should not hold the country hostage for their misguided grievances. If they were eager and ready to compete in any elections, they should have handled and channelled their grievances through peaceful and justifiable means. But in this way, if you become a killer, nobody will accept you to be truthful in what you are saying or doing. Waiting for peace they are not interested in is another way of throwing the country back into a failed state barometer. We are better off having a failed legitimate government in place which we can put our grievances before them (elected leaders).
All over the world, people continue to eat and go to work, school and live regardless of any worse circumstances facing them. For example, Ukraine had Crimea taken over by Russia, and internal rebellion erupted in the Eastern Regions. But in October, 2014 the government went ahead with elections for people living in government controlled areas to choose their favourite leadership. Same thing in Georgia, in 2008, Russia annexed Abkhazia and Ossetia and Georgian state did not stop carrying out its constitutional mandates. The US and rebels should stop giving lame excuses every time and then.
Please Mr. President and your leadership, just accept this challenge and go ahead with the elections. If rebels want to participate in these elections, they will accept the peace process in good faith and come back to contest them. Time is running out to build our young nation.
You can reach the author through his email: Deng Lueth <luethdeng@ymail.com>
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