PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd – South Sudan

"We the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, with so little, for so long, we are now qualified to do anything, with nothing" By Konstantin Josef Jireček, a Czech historian, diplomat and slavist.

SBS Radio Dinka interview with Mengistu Haile Mariam, Isaiah Chol Aruai and Judge Ambrose Riiny Thiik

4 min read

1. Interview with the former Ethiopian President, Mengistu Haile Mariam

Biän tueŋë jamda wuɔnë bɛ̈ny thɛɛrë pan Abɛ̈ɛ̈c Mengistu Haile Mariam

For a first time on SBS Dinka Radio Ajak Deng Chiengkou will go one on one with the former President in this part one. Mengistu still lives in exile and still wanted by Ethiopia on human rights abuses during his times. in South Sudan; he is considered a hero. President Mengistu Haile Mariam was an Ethiopian leader who took power from the Ethiopia Emperor Haile Selassie in 70s and went on went on to become the Head of State (Feburary 4, 1977-1987) and the first President of Ethiopia (September 11, 1987 to May 21, 1991). Mengistu fled Ethiopia in 1991 after the advancing rebels forces were closing in on Addis Ababa in May of 1991By Ajak Deng Chiengkou

2. Interview with the Chairman of South Sudan’s National Bureau of Statistics and Census, Hon. Isaiah Chol Aruai

South Sudanese Hostages freed: Isaiah Chol Aruai

When the UN helicopter took off from Panyagor airstrip; Isaiah Chol Aruei knew he was going to Juba according to the UN green light that is use to travel on United Nations planes operated by the UN Mission in South Sudan. The two Russian pilots who were pilot locked themselves to the cockpit but change the direction to the areas controlled by the South Sudanese Opposition forces. The three South Sudanese who happened to be all Dinka knew that things were not going to be the same again after they noticed the direction of the plane. When they landed at Jiec Payam which is a part of Ayod district; the security forces rushed into the plane where the first two were picked but Aleer was left only to follow later. During the incident; UN pilots did nothing to help according to one of the hostages. They were interrogated and detained. Out of them were two humanitarian workers and one civil servant.By Ajak Deng Chiengkou

3. Interview with the former South Sudanese Chief Justice and the Current Chairman of Jieng Council of Elders, Judge Ambrose Riiny Thiik

Interview with Jieng Council of Elders Chairman Ambrose Riny

Daniel: How was Jieng Council Elders founded, when and by who? Justice Riiny: Jiɛ̈ŋ Council of elders was formed in mid-2013. It was started after Riek Machar announced his candidacy for President and said It is turn for the Nuer either by Vote and if not he will take it by bullet. When he was relieved in July 2013; the campaign intensified and that send signals to all Jieng communities in Upper Nile, Unity, Bor and the greater Bhar el Gazal. This also reminded people on what happened in 1991 when some Dinka were massacre in Bor and areas of Bentiu even SPLA officer who were in the areas of Riek Machar. Daniel: Do you meet with Council of elders from other tribes like Equatoria to iron out existing problems? Justice Riiny: Yes; the proposal made by IGAD to reinstate Dr Riek Machar as the first Vice President was hated by all of us. We hated it on Jieng Council of Elders and we sent our position paper to Addis Ababa. We hate it and our people in Rumbek went out for strike and our people in Northern Bhar el Gazal. We hate it because it is not true. Why do you solve the problem of Riek Machar and create another problem with Wani Iga who is a liberator?By Ajak Deng Chiengkou

4. Interview with Mading Akueth, one of the detainees from Jiech, Ayod county, in Jonglei state

South Sudanese Hostages freed: Mading Akueth

Like the other two hostages; Mading Akueth who attended the enthronement of Bishop in Panyagor will return to Juba safe but that was not the case. When the UN helicopter took off from Panyagor airstrip; Mading Akueth knew he was going to Juba according to the UN green light that is used to travel on United Nations planes operated by the UN Mission in South Sudan. The two Russian pilots who were pilot locked themselves to the cockpit but change the direction to the areas controlled by the South Sudanese Opposition forces. The three South Sudanese who happened to be all Dinka knew that things were not going to be the same again after they noticed the direction of the plane. When they landed at Jiec Payam which is a part of Ayod district; the security forces rushed into the plane where the first two Mading and Chol were picked but Aleer was left only to follow later. During the incident; UN pilots did nothing to help according to one of the hostages. They were interrogated and detained. Out of them were two humanitarian workers and one civil servant.By Ajak Deng Chiengkou

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