Profile in Courage: Hon. Atem Garang de Kuek is the Man of the People
4 min readThe MPs of our national assembly have betrayed their colleague, Hon. Atem Garang de Kuek
By Pal Chol Nyan, Juba, South Sudan
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 (PW) — My senior colleague Michael Koma wrote an impressive and a touching article titled “Rebel MPs” except Hon Atem Garang. He spoke his mind against the move by the SPLM lawyers to top up their salaries, a move rejected outright by Hon Atem Garang, the former Chair of the SPLM Caucus and the Chief Whip prompting him to quit his position.
When he felt let down by his own caucus, he tendered his resignation which was accepted with the announcement of his successor. Hon. Atem ‘s argument makes a lot of sense ,which to his self-seeking colleagues, a backstabbing, simply because he wants the salaries of the civil servants, army and other organized forces increased to cope with the prevailing economic hardships. He thought he was going to win the support of his colleagues but disappointed.
Hon Atem did not do anything wrong. He is a true patriot whose concern is the welfare of his people more than his belly. If that is his mistake, then he has our support as people who are subjected to an abject poverty by their own leaders. Ustaz Atem Garang has glittering leadership qualities and that made him won the election by acclamation in 2010.
It doesn’t have to defeat us that a Member of Parliament represents his people, the constituency who elected him. Once in office, the electorates expect services but in our case, the parliamentarian and the executive positions have become sources for self-enrichment and impoverishment of the citizens by our leaders. Honourable MPs, you have betrayed your colleague Hon. Atem Garang.
You wrongly believed that Hon Atem Garang was stirring up the situation; or inciting the people but in reality, he was defending the President because he doesn’t want his people to feel bad about him and his rule. The Parliament is not a place to make money; it is for legislating the laws that govern the country.
If you don’t raise motions to discuss bills and pass laws to empower the President, then there must be something to attract the attention of the owls or security in plain term. It is so embarrassing that the MPs failed to deliver on the promises they made during their election campaigns.
The President needs to stay awake. There may be hidden forces at work. The father would not feel good once he has eaten and the kids are hungry. The same is applicable to the lawmakers; their job is to fight for the rights and interests of the citizens.
If they don’t do that, they deserve to have a vote of no confidence passed. It goes without saying that our country is let down by those who make themselves puppets and don’t speak in public but behind the scene to protect their positions. Get prepared.
The President decided to meet his brother and an arch-rival Dr Riek Machar for a handshake. This means peace is in the offing. It should not be tampered with.
The author, Pal Chol Nyan, is a Graduate from the College of Radiological Medical Sciences from Sudan University of Sciences and Technology. He also holds a Diploma in Teaching Methodology and a Diploma in General Medical Sciences. He was a red army soldier, a former Primary school teacher, currently serving as a General Medical Practitioner in Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan. He is a columnist with local newspapers in Juba/South Sudan and contributes in many websites about social, security and economic. You can reach him via his email: palcholnyan2016@gmail.com or palcholnyan@yahoo.com
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