President Kiir: Caught Between Dinka and Shilluk Militias, and Governor Simon Kun’s Bodyguards in the Malakal Crisis

By Lual Magok,South Sudan

April 28, 2015 (SSB)  —-  The unending political and military maneuvering between the two hostiles rival forces of the Shilluk Aguelek militias and the Dinka Apadang Abushiok, Maszulum militias can be perfectly describe as a remarkable test to the fragile regime of President Salva Kiir and his tribal elites .

The latest up to date data’s from field rapid assessment within the two rivaling community denoted that , the Shilluk Aguelek militia led by Gen Johnson Olony suggest free conditions for the peaceful and political settlement of the ongoing crisis in Malakal and proposed conditions are as follows:

1. Immediate relieve of H.E. Simon Kun Puoch, Governor of Upper Nile State.
2. Immediate removal of Gen Johnson Gony Beliew from Sector one Commandership.
3. Immediate Appointment of Hon. Jokino as the new Governor of Upper Nile State.
4. Immediate appointment of Gen Johnson Olony as Commander of Sector one (I)

The Shilluk leadership believes that best part of the Juba regime fighting forces in Upper Nile State are mainly from the Shilluk sons and daughters and they felt it’s unfair to under represent the community at the State and the National government while they are protecting the regime.

The Shilluk accept as true that, though they remains loyal and supportive to president Kiir fragile regime , they are also being targeted by the Dinka militias who are operating under the supervision of Gen Chol Thon and Hon. Stephen Dhieu and the Juba regime cannot respond to end this barbaric killing and massive displacement.

The debate with some key element within the military leadership in Bilpam Military General Headquarters signified that, Gen Johnson Olony was working very closely with senior government officials in Juba including Gen James Wani Igga, Gen Paul Malong Awan, Gen Ajonga and other senior leadership of SPLM-Democratic Change from planning and execution on this scheme to remove Governor Simon Kun and Gen Johnson Gony in Upper Nile State.

The whole story from Juba denoted that , Gen Johnson Olony free conditions and proposal were give a positive response by Gen James Wani Igga , Vice President , Gen Paul Malong Awan , Chief of General Staff, Hon. Kuol Manyang Juk , Minister of Defense , Gen Ajongo and other senior military general within the headquarter to normalize the situation .

The piece of information from Bilpam Military General Headquarter point out that, some generals from the Apadang Community including Gen Chol Thon Balok and his supporters are against the removal of Governor Simon Kun due to the mounting pressure from the Shilluk militia and they proposed direct military intervention against the Shilluk Aguelek Militias.

The informal investigations from Juba also revealed that, Hon. Stephen Dhieu Dau, Minister of Petroleum and Mining backed by the leadership of the Dinka Apadang and their community are entirely against any move to relieve Simon Kun from Governorship and Gen Johnson Gony Beliew from Commandership of Sector One because of the pressure from the Shilluk Militia.

According to reliable sources within Juba fragile regime stated that, the leadership of the Dinka Apadang gives free condition to Salva Kiir as follows”

1. Salva Kiir should maintain the status quo not relieves Simon Kun and Gen Johnson Gony due to the Shilluk Militia Pressure or risk to lost support from Apadang Community.
2. The regime should chose between the Shilluk and the Dinka Apadang communities in Upper Nile State.
3. The Dinka Apadang will not continue to support Salva Kiir leadership and the oil field will face imminent threat of the rebel if Salva Kiir rewards the Shilluk Militia.

The report from the Council of ministers meeting on Friday agreed to look on peaceful and political settlement of the ongoing crisis in Upper Nile State through to rewarding the Shilluk militias as recognition to their huge contribution to the Salva Kiir regime. The meeting also instructed the Minister of defense to immediately form an investigations committee to Malakal in order to meet Gen Johnson Olony and agree on the political settlement of the ongoing crisis as soon as possible or avert bloodshed.

The preliminary field information revealed that, Gen Johnson Olony suggested his political ally Hon. Jokino, former commissioner of Fashoda County for the governorship to replace the current Governor Simon Kun pouch as free condition to return to government. Gen Johnson Olony also suggested himself for the commandership of sector one (1) to replace Gen Johnson Gony Beliew because the Shilluk sons and daughters are dying to protect the regime and they deserve the leadership of the Upper Nile State.

The latest updates from Malakal town indicated that, Gen Johnson Olony made verbal agreement with Military Headquarter before the arrival of President Kiir which requested him to relocate his fighting forces to West Bank and to allow the National Security forces and the SPLA Forces coming from Juba to enter into Malakal town peacefully on Saturday evening.

The agreement between Gen Johnson Olony and Gen Paul Malong Awan was for the Juba regime to accept the free conditions putted forward to remove Governor Simon Kun and Gen Johnson Gony Beliew from Upper Nile State with immediate effect and to replace them with Hon. Jokino and Gen Johnson Olony respectively. This deal was received with very hostile reaction by the Dinka Apadang and the Nuer Wew/Money and this group term this arrangement as an imminent threat to the Dinka Apadang political interest in the Upper Nile State and they declared to undertake all out war against the Shilluk and their allies .

The Dinka Apadang leadership held an emergency meeting with President Salva Kiir upon his arrival and stated it very clearly that, any move to removed governor Simon Kun and Gen Johnson Gony from the leadership of Upper Nile State to replace them with the Shilluk will be resist by the Dinka Apadang. The Dinka Apadang make very clear to the President Kiir that , should the Shilluk be appointed as Governor and Military commander for Upper Nile State , It will forced the Apadang to join the rebellion in order to fight the Shilluk forces at all cost .

The field situation report from Malakal point out that, Gen Johnson Olony has already developed good contacts with rebel movement of Dr Riek Machar and he post a potential serious security threats to the Juba regime if his demands are not met on timely manner. The field assessment revealed that Gen Johnson Olony has already completed his preparation for worst case scenario and successfully relocated all his military hardware’s and headquarter to West Bank to prepare himself for an offensive against the Juba regime. The Bilpam General Military headquarter is believed to remains divided between supporters Gen Paul Malong and Gen Chol Thon.

The political leadership of the regime is divided between the supporters of the Shilluk Militias and Supporters of the Dinka Apadang Militias. The Presidency is also divided with some elements including James Wani Igga supporting the removal of Simon Kun and Johnson Gony while other group is against the removal of the two and prefer military confrontation with the Shilluk militias in order not to lose the Dinka Apadang militia who are the close and truth ally to Salva Kiir regime in Upper Nile State.

The intense question before Salva Kiir is, what is the best Choice between the Shilluk Militia and the Dinka Apadang Militia? The Kiir is in great confussion and it’s an imminent to loss of side of the conflict.

The writer is a concern South Sudanese Activist and can be reached via lualmagok@yahoo.com

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