Why President KiiRiek Should Step Aside as Recommended by the National Dialogue Report
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Why do I think President Kiir Mayardit and his First Vice Riek Machar should step aside?
By Kuach Loch Garang Deng, Calgary, Canada
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 (PW) — President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar should heed their voters’ outcry to step aside as recommended by the grassroots as reported in the National Dialogue conference.
First and foremost, my appreciation goes to members of the National Dialogue for their outstanding job in ending their long nationwide consultations with citizens.
Secondly, I sincerely apologize to them for I have underestimated their roles before I saw the result of their assignment!
In fact, I was wrong when I concluded that because they were appointed and supported by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, I thought you would not be brave and sincere enough to do your job impartially. I never knew you would deliver a message of grassroots intact as you did. Congratulations.
You filled your position as African elders and leaders. Our rich culture respects elders as a torch of wisdom for experience and age God blessed them with. You have done your part.
Now that you became brave enough to see the lion sharp fangs and deliver the grassroots message as you were told. Your job is done and it’s up to President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar to reject it as they already did and or accept it and be the winner.
These grassroots are your voters and it’s inevitable to get away from them anytime . If you deny their call and you elect to die in power, it’s your choice but the public will never leave you to harm them as you continue to have a foreseeable conflict.
As the grassroots asked you to step aside and leave the political arena for new faces from political parties, it’s for your benefits to save your legacies and rescue the country from future conflict.
Indeed, it’s worth noting that Salva Kiir Mayardit had contributed greatly before he became president and many South Sudanese cannot deny his contributions, good and bad.
For instance, who does not acknowledge the fact that Salva Kiir is a national hero who fought two civil wars Anya 1 and 2 up to SPLM today?
Who doesn’t acknowledge and appreciate that Salva Kiir Mayardit had patiently implemented CPA with Bashir despite many attempts by Bashir to drill the peace after the painful death of Dr.John Garang ?
Who doesn’t acknowledge that Salva Kiir Mayadit raised the South Sudan Flag in July 09,2011?
Who doesn’t appreciate that Salva Kiir Mayardit accepted a peace talk with Riek Machar in 2014 after a senseless war broke out in 2013?
Kiir and Riek were able to sign the 2015 Peace agreement in Addis Ababa even though it was brief.
Who doesn’t acknowledge that Salva Kiir brought Revitalized peace AKA Khartoum Peace Agreement?
As a result, I think the grassroots wanted to save this beautiful history and rich legacy.
If President Salva Kiir Mayardit voluntarily stepped down to save his face and his legacy, he would remain a giant hero in the history of South Sudan despite some controversies in his rule.
I believe President Kiir is old and wise enough to know that our ancestors used to be buried alive to keep their legacies Intact,
Therefore , Kiir should leave the public life with a little bit of pride and dignity instead of waiting to be booed out by angry citizens like Maburak of Egypt and other national heroes who turn dictators.
Most importantly, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has no more stamina to continue to excel and do better than his past 15 years in power.
Many South Sudanese include author, are totally convinced that President Kiir Mayardit would never do any better than what he already did.
Unfortunately, President Salva Kiir Mayardit cannot bring a lasting and inclusive peace to South Sudan.
Kiir cannot fight corruption which brought the country into its knees.
Kiir cannot fight tribalism given the deep level of tribalism in recent years of political conflict marred with tribalism
Finally, as SPLM IO under Riek Machar had a convention recently in Juba, it’s a clear indication that Riek Machar is running for presidency come next elections.
This election would be a dead bed since Kiir and his allies cannot and will not accept to be defeated with oil money and national security in their disposal and Riek Machar would never accept to be intimidated this time around and get defeated.
I believe it’s because of the above reasons, your loyal citizens begged you through the National Dialogue committee to step aside for they have seen another deadly conflict ahead.
Last but not the least, I believe the best gift a nation can reward their heroes is retirement, pension and protection but not to keep them to die in power.
In conclusion, I am repeating the voice of the grassroots which you are about to reject but citizens made their voices heard loudly. Its like malaria pills you forced into your throat to cure you from deadly disease.
I stand to be corrected but a messenger cannot be beaten.
Kuach Loch Garang Deng is A South Sudanese concerned citizen! He can be reached at lochdit2002@yahoo.ca
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