Hi PaanLuel Wel, what is your take on this "Father of the Nation" debate?

Daniella Valentino Wol: Hi PaanLuel Wel, what is your take on this “Father of the Nation” debate?

PaanLuel Wel: Sister Daniella Valentino Wol, here is what I think. According to Wikipedia, “Father of the Nation is an honorific title given to a man considered the driving force behind the establishment of his country, state, or nation.” For example, Simón Bolívar, South American revolutionary liberator who had never been a prime minister or a president or a king is considered the “Father of the Nation” in six countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Panama. Thus, if you ask me who is the “father of the nation” in the context of the man who had been a driving force in the establishment of our country, then I would think of many fathers (and mothers?) starting from the 1955 Torit Mutiny, Anyanya movement, High Executive Council (HEC) government and the seven founders of the SPLM/A as being the embodiment of men and women who had been the driving forces leading to the birth of the Republic of South Sudan. It is foolhardy to debate who, between John Garang and Salva Kiir, contributed the most to the liberation of South Sudan: they, and their comrades, were/are comrades-in-arms. My reading of Ateny Wek’s article is that he confused the meaning of “father of the nation” with the first president of a nation. Secondly, Ateny was responding to particular words said by Madam Nyandeeng Garang; unfortunately, his response, like those of President Kiir’s critics, is tainted by the prevailing war in our country. I hope that answer your question for now.

1. Article by Ateny Wek: John Garang or Salva Kiir: Who is the “Founding Father” of South Sudan?
2. Article by Isaiah Abraham: Who’s the Founding Father of the Republic of South Sudan?
3. Article by John Pende Ngong: SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT VERSUS JOHN GARANG DE MABIOR: HELP, OUR HISTORY IS ON FIRE!
4. Article by Wilson Mading Koc: Ateny Wek Ateny: Dr John Garang is the Founding Father of South Sudan just like Mahatma Gandhi of India
5. Article by Simon Deng Kuol: Mr. Ateny Wek: Challenge Madam Nyandeng without involving John Garang and Salva Kiir
6. Article by Kuir E Garang: Planting Seeds of Discord and Contradicting President Kiir: A Response to Ateny Wek

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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