Why Mama Rebecca Nyandeng should consider joining the national dialogue?
5 min readThe Ambiguity over Mama Rebecca Nyandengdit National Dialogue Membership Consent
By Thon Atem Ayiei, Juba, South Sudan
April 29, 2017 (SSB) —- On the evening of 25th of April 2017, one of my close friends phoned me to break some silence over the news of the long awaited reconstitution of the national Dialogue steering committeeby the president of the Republic of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit on the state own television. I was so much enthusiastic to forget what I was doing by then. I asked a friend to share with me the names of the appointees if at all he had comeacross the list.
In the erstwhile, I logged into my Facebook page and I found another Good Samaritan who shared the list. I cast a quick perusal and found several names but I was so delighted to see my Mama Rebecca Nyandeng Garang Mabior, Molana Deng Gai Gatluak, Prof. Moses Machar Kachuol, Gen. James Hoth Mai, former vice president of Sudan, Justice Abel Alier Kwai, Bishop Isaiah Majok Dau, Mr. Garang Deng Aguer, and finally Gen. Lazarus Sumbweiyo as (external players), the driving force of South Sudan independent, to mention few.
I concluded that, this committee would work if we south Sudanese accepted to bring stability back to our country. This committee would work if we south Sudanese stop politicizing everything, if we stop individual hatred towards other personalities, if we talk truths, if we denounce violence, and finally if Mama Rebecca Nyandeng acknowledged that she is the wife of our founding Father Dr. John Garang who had laid the foundation of South Sudan we are likely destroying.
Why Mama Rebecca Nyandeng should consider the national dialogue participation?
To be Honest, the presidential order was received with different reactions both in the country and in diaspora, especially the mouthpieces of the exiled politicians and the social media warriors. The spokesperson of Mama Rebecca wrote in his Facebook page” it will be the biggest laugh of 2017” before releasing unsigned press statement two days later, “complainingof lack of prior consultation” Facebook warriors continued with their disproportionate criticism of this peace initiative and attempt to normalize the situation in the country.
I was so much crestfallen by the response from Mama Rebecca’sspokesperson, who the nation citizens believe to be another Dr. John Garang in peacemaking processes. I rushed to question myself whether we love this country or not? Are we really patriotic or critics? Do we remember the long way we had passed through to achieve our independence? Does Mama Rebecca know the level of respect she deserves from South Sudanese? Are we not tied of sufferings and gunshots? Just because there is time for everything, it is not time for conditions anylonger, it is not time for war now. And this time, we are just desperate for peace not war, we are desperate for food not gunshots, this time we are really desperate for development not destruction.
Mama Rebecca needs to know that the country is bleeding and falling apart if her presence holds water in this national dialogue, this chance should be properly utilized to achieve sustainable peace and bring human suffering to an end. All the political grievances must be put aside and peopleshould unconditionally joint the dialogue processes to uphold president Kiir and other politicians who feel it is the only perplexing option to realize peace in the country.
Her influence in National Dialogue initiative will motivate and earn major of grassroots citizenssupport who had protractedly been inspired by the late Dr. John leadership style to participate in the processes without preconditions. In case of the obstacles ahead, the country will blames her for failing to accept being a member of National Dialogue, save lives of her people at the time they need her intervention the most.
Therefore, the entire nation has stood up watching on how Mrs. Garang will handle the presidential appointment of her as a member although her political relationship with President Kiir had significantly deteriorated over the last three years, in her career if she intendsis to be potential political leader in future. Nobody will doubt or argue with the wife of our late founding father if she will decide to seek for the country top job.“ Mothers are the symbol of peace” welcome back home to save lives of your citizens Maan Mabiordit.
Finally, Congratulations to all the Presidential appointees on National Dialogue Membership.
The entire nation is very proud to have those experienced men and women appointed to head this sensitive program. Nobody would rush to doubt your contributions towards the betterment of our nation. Eventually, i want to make it clear that, this country believed in you and they will be together hand in hand with the team. I would be happy if all those self-exiled politicians, civil society; military men/women are invited to attend with their fellow brothers and sisters to this memorable event.
In conclusion, A strong nation is a “nation where citizens unanimously support their leaders.” Our willingness as citizens and the most affected people in the world is to demonstrate compassion and serve as a driving force for the national dialogue campaign, to forgive one another, to have confidence in our leaders so that we shouldn’t be misled by the individuals who put interest before the nation.
The author is concerned citizen and a fan of successful national dialogue process, and can be reached via thonatemayiei@gmail.com.
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