Is Dr. Riek Machar a political ‘savoir’ or a political ‘hangman’ for South Sudan?
Isaac Akuoch chol Akuoch, Juba South Sudan
March 29, 2016 (SSB) —- For over two years now the infant nation South Sudan has witnessed a vicious and decimating civil war. It is a war that is increasingly tilting towards tribal feuds and conflicts because of misinformation, disinformation and uninformation. Lives have been lost, people maimed and properties vandalised making it one of the bloodiest conflict in Africa today.
Central to this conflict is the personality of Dr.Riek Machar Teny, a man loved and loathed by many. He has surveyed and established his political niche in the South Sudanese political arena and is arguably the most divisive leader in the country.
Dr. Riek has several leadership qualities, prestige and privileges of an African leader; western education, huge tribal following, personality cult and some degree of charisma. Those who have met him and wrote about him portray him as cool and receptive with a strong sense of personality instinct.
However one thing remain queer about him and that is his believe in traditional religion especially the mighty Nuer prophet, Ngundeng. He is known to be a self-blessed protector and enforcer of Ngundengism.
Machar is a savoir:
So is Dr. Machar a savoir or otherwise? Honesty always demands fairness and I would not throw the achievements of Mr. Machar into a dustbin. He has achieved some great things that worth mentioning and praise.
The fact that he hoisted our national flag at the UN made him a true son of the land, a leader and a fighter of destiny. We are now a fully pledged member of this world body. He saved us from from humiliation and brought us to recognition!
He determinedly represented the case of the Abyei area at the international court of justice in The Hague and the results were such a moment of national jubilation and a sense of national pride rose.
What about the referendum? After all some political quarters think he skewed the vision of SPLM/A to focus only on the self-determination for the people of South Sudan. He subsequently campaigned for separation option during the plebiscite.
His insistence on the internal democratisation of SPLM party structures before the current war made him admired by many South Sudanese regardless of their tribal or political orientations.
Dr. Machar has a PhD (not Permanent Head Damage) and can teach at any university, he can save a lot of fellow countrymen from the poverty of knowledge, he can inspire many to greater highs thereby lifting their thinking and improve their lives.
Machar is a rich man. He has managed to get dollars from his Bentiu oil proceeds. He can use this money to register companies and employ tens of thousands of people. He can built schools, hospitals and hotels, all of them private!
He is a true friend and ally of the west, remember his two wives are whites. If he use his influence and relationship with Kawajah, we will have advance military, police and security service. Fearing Omar Beshir would not be there anymore.
Machar is a hangman:
Dr. Machar has insatiable urge to lead South Sudan. There is nothing in being a leader but if your leadership approaches result into war and destruction then you lack patriotism. Patriotic persons give up their lives, ego and dignity in the name of their country.
He receives most of his arms from the Islamic government in Khartoum, these arms cause irreparable damage to lives in South Sudan. If you gang up with the enemy of your people to kill your people then what do you call yourself?
In my conclusion, I would wish Dr. Machar to concentrate on his qualities and abilities that unite the people of South Sudan, this way he would be remembered, revered, worshipped and respected.
Isaac Akuoch Chol is a South Sudanese freelance writer, he can be reached via akuochishakho@yahoo.com
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