President Kiir's Remark: Was it Nation Address or Hate Speech Sir?
By Wol Deng Atak, Nairobi, Kenya
May 13, 2017 (SSB) — I expected National address from President Salva Kiir Mayardit, but instead I heard hate speech against media and the former Chief of Staff. In short the president’s speech was punctuated by numbers of hate remarks and complains rather than directives to the nation.
Kiir’s speech today confirmed that national security in Juba has been acting on his orders to crack down on the media. This is made clear in his reference to media as the causes of violent in South Sudan. Is it, sir?
Perhaps this claim is not true. Surely when President Kiir disagreed and exchanged bitter words with his colleagues at SPLM leading to a bitter fight with his arch rival, Dr. Riek Machar in 2013, did the media give them the choice of words that led to violent confrontations?
Again when he invited his First Vice President on 8/7/2016 for a dog fight at J1, did media aide and abate in invitation or his plot against his Vice President? This allegation has no substance and a person of high standing like President Salva should shun it since such undertaking would serve to teach the nation undesired manners!!
Expectation on Gen. Paul Malong to thank the president for allowing him serve the nation till the day of his relief of duty is an auxiliary in value when compared with the risks surrounding his abrupt departure from Juba.
I expected to hear the president commanding an investigation on the alleged heavy deployment of 1,600 foot soldiers, accompanied by numerous military tanks deployed against one man with few guards. It is important to emphasize that this deployment continues to sustain in the face of Gen. Paul Malong having said that he was going to his home to avoid possible military confrontation in Juba.
The nation expects to hear why soldiers and heavy military arsenals were airlifted to Rumbek a day after he left Juba on road. And why they were deployed along the road where former Chief of Staff was expected to pass. More so, the nation expected to hear you, Mr. President, initiating inquiry on alleged attempt to illegally arrest Gen. Paul Malong in the night he left Juba.
Mr. President with all your worth, we expect you to tell the nation what transpired and not a complaint of not being thanked after relieving the man you appointed four years ago. Last time I checked, Gen. Malong left Juba to save his skin, dignity and lives of other people who would perhaps might have died in process of defending himself.
I believe you deserve to be thanked for offering an opportunity for one to serve the nation but first avert looming crisis and the rest would duly follow. If you ordered the deployment of these troops against Gen. Paul Malong Awan, then please consider the circumstances under which he left without thanking you. Blaming Malong is not helping the current situation but investigation.
Many citizens including your good self, Mr. President know Gen. Malong as a warrior and that he cannot run away from shadow but a danger. There is credible evidence that cause the citizens including the author to write this piece on social and conventional media
Allow me to conclude that it will be difficult therefore, to build confidence and peaceful South Sudan in the eye of continuous denial of government actions taken in bad taste.
You can reach the author via his email: Wol Atak <wolatak@gmail.com>
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