Ruweng People in Canada reject all SPLM-IO Officials from Ruweng State
4 min readAn Open Letter to Salva Kiir Mayardit, The President of the Republic of South Sudan; Taban Deng Gai, First Vice President of South Sudan; and James Wani Igga, the Second Vice President
By Simon Tor Deng, Juba, South Sudan
Politics of Division
April 2, 2017 (SSB) — The Ruweng community in Canada oppose the deployment of SPLA/M/IO officials in Ruweng State, for this tactical manoeuvre by the government of South Sudan initiates internal division and conflict within Ruweng State.
The natives of Ruweng State are predominantly affiliated to SPLA/M since the inception of this movement; they scarified their blood and resources for the cause of unity, freedom, and prosperity. As a result, the injection of SPLA/M/IO political machine into the political affairs of Ruweng State is offsetting the values of oneness and wellbeing of the people of Ruweng State.
Rather than being united under the flag of SPLA/M which we always embrace and shed our blood for, Ruweng people will likely be lured and even coerced to join SPLA/M/IO for almost selfish ambitions. And this vacillation between SPLA/M and SPLA/M/IO parties is threatening and detrimental to the unity of Ruweng people in our state.
Politics of Conflict
South Sudan and the world still recall the grim massacres of innocent peoples during the birth SPLA/M/IO. These deaths and injuries were and are still being inflicted on South Sudanese peoples by, alas, all the leaders of our nation. Fortunately, these very elites have the master key to conflict resolution.
Ruweng people reject the appointment of SPLA/M/IO politicians in Ruweng State. The current First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Taban Deng Gai deliberately marginalized the Ruweng people both pre-secession and post-secession of South Sudan.
As a former governor of former Unity State, Mr. Gai turned a blind eye on the people of Ruweng; he deprived Ruweng intellectuals from key political posts in the state and builds little or no infrastructure in Ruweng counties.
The First VP is still unrepentant of his vice actions against Ruweng people; thus, he coaxed President Kiir to channel his SPLA/M/IO leaders to Ruweng State, because Mr. Gai probably takes pleasure in manipulating Ruweng people.
Mr. First Vice President! Your premature decision to invade Ruweng State is a recipe for conflict. Ruweng people denounce violence and condone peace and development. It is evident in the annals of history that SPLA/M/IO directly massacred thousands of Ruweng men, women, and children, particularly during the periods of 2013 and 2015.
These wounds inflicted on Ruweng people are not healed yet. Therefore, President Kiir, and your two Vice Presidents! It is too early for SPLA/M/IO officials to rule in Ruweng State. We Ruweng people in Canada reject all SPLA/M/IO politicians, whether they are of Ruweng or Non-Ruweng origins.
Positive Pace for Peace
We, Ruweng people in Canada, thank the government of South Sudan and SPLA/M/IO for taking a positive step towards achieving peace. However, this peace initiative should not be on a divide-and-rule basis; it must be based on understanding, transparency, and pure love for one another unconditionally.
You can reach the author via his email: Simon Tor Deng <dengdengt@gmail.com>
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