Dear President Kiir: Commendation on the Sacking of Angelina Teny; Please Fire Wani, Nunu and Abdelbagi

An Open letter to President Kiir: Commendation on the sacking of Angelina Teny and a call for the immediate replacement of James Wani, Nunu Kumba, and Hussein Abdelbagi

By Dr. Sunday de John, Juba, South Sudan

Thursday, March 16, 2023 (PW) — Dear President Salva Kiir, I am writing to express my concern about the recent roadmap that was put forward to extend the period of the peace agreement in South Sudan. I understand the extension was necessary as the agreement had not been comprehensively implemented due to time constraints and other bottlenecks. Still, the roadmap did not sufficiently consider the voices of the citizens of South Sudan.

As you know, the peace agreement has been a critical issue for the people of South Sudan. Because of this, it was essential that their voices be heard in any decision related to it. I am concerned that the recent roadmap was designed primarily to serve the government’s interests, particularly to salvage its survival and continue sustaining the status quo as long as the benefits, such as money from oil proceeds, still exist and flow to the key principals.

It was done without due diligence and adequate consideration of the views and concerns of the citizens of South Sudan. That said, decisions serve a purpose, and since the principals of the agreement were able to extend their tenure and see it as best fitting, you can cause more alterations to achieve a sustainable peace agreement.

Upon this, I urge you to consider the following steps to address this issue. First, incorporate the holdout groups: It is critical that the holdout groups be incorporated into the peace agreement immediately. This will ensure that their voices are heard and that they are involved in building a more stable and peaceful South Sudan.

By not including everyone and not addressing all the root causes of the problem, those excluded have made Nimule Road and other major roads within the country impassable, suggesting the continuity of violence caused by their wrath.

Secondly, alteration of the roadmap: It is necessary to alter the roadmap to reflect the views and concerns of the citizens of South Sudan. It is essential that any changes made to the roadmap be done with the objective of eliminating war and its consequences.

While the roadmap stands as an alteration to the agreement by its extension, given that it could have lapsed a few months ago, it is vital to underscore that what razed the country to its current state lies within the context of politics. The politicians were and are involved in a grave power struggle that eventually polarised the country while subjecting the citizens to severe and recalcitrant suffering.

Since politicians need to achieve their personal goals, they first opt to divide the citizens across ethnic, geographical, and political lines and then use rhetoric such as “bad governance,” “lack of institutions,” “corruption,” “land grabbing,” and “marginalization,” among many others, as fuel to keep the fight for their self-interest raging.

The 2013 war resulted from a power struggle within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and the consequences were a severe affliction to the common man and woman. The principals in the power struggle and, by extension, the champions of the war are enjoying today what they called the “Government of National Unity when the subjects that they made to fight each other are rotting in their graves, or their bones are in the wilderness with their flesh eaten by birds and other wild animals.

That said, I commend you for your bold decision to remove Angelina Teny as Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

I support your decision to remove Angelina Teny from her position and swapping of the ministries, not because it does not violate the agreement but because it is a secondary violation of the agreement that is worth it. The primary violation of the agreement is the extension of the agreement itself.

Therefore, anybody who sees your decision as a violation of the agreement but doesn’t see its extension, in the same way, is hypocritical. I believe the decision was necessary and will help prevent the further personalisation of the peace agreement.

Riek and Angelina think that they own the agreement. If the agreement is for South Sudanese, why did Riek appoint his wife and those who are his close relatives or associates?

As you know, the 2013–2016 conflict in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of over 400,000 people. It is not patriotic for someone like Riek Machar, who led the war, to reward only members of his family. It is important that the benefits of the peace agreement are distributed fairly and evenly to all South Sudanese, regardless of their tribe or family connections.

While these remain factual, the rewarding order should have been considered, with the most affected getting a fair share or at least a mere recognition if justice cannot be served.

Dr. Riek has rewarded his family and a few opportunists from other regions to generate political significance and relevance. He has completely forgotten those who perished under his watch in his quest for power.

All the sons and daughters of South Sudan, including young children and the elderly, are not just mere maggots that could have just died so that Riek, his family, and a bunch of associates could establish or maintain their large bank accounts and enjoy the prestige that comes along with it.

By rewarding his family, Riek has not ended the war. He, in essence, has failed to control his commanders as they continue with the war to date.

Upon this, I urge you to consider the genuine and peaceful pursuit of Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual and Gen. Johnson Olony. You can also extract South portfolios from those given to the SPLM-IO so that the said persons can be appointed to them.

Dr. Riek would not have any moral authority to continuously cling to portfolios allocated to the SPLM-IO when he knows he has left behind many of the commanders that are, just like him, covered by the agreement. Peace comes at a cost, and for lasting peace to reign, it must be brought about gradually by watering down the fire.

The holdout groups need to be incorporated immediately. Gen. Simon Gatwech, Johnson Olony, and others must be allowed to partake in the peace agreement. This will end the war. Forcing you to reinstate the arrogant Angelina Teny will not end the war; in actuality, it is one of the aggravating factors.

Furthermore, I support the recent call by the king of Chollo to restore peace and tranquillity not only to the Chollo people but to all the people of Upper Nile State. It is important to address the concerns of all South Sudanese, regardless of their tribe or geographic location. The warlords have benefited enough from the successive wars they created, which must cease now. It is time to create lasting peace in the country.

Harmony has not evaded us. It is within reach. Therefore, give people like Dr. Lam Akol the opportunity to polish the peace you started. It is time to create harmony in the country. People like Dr. Lam are senior citizens with the gift of wisdom. They can be of great help. If not considered, their unmet expectations can contribute catalytic factors to the escalation of conflict.

By this, I mean to imply that their participation in the efforts toward peace and reconciliation is preferable to their absence from those efforts. Other important milestones to undertake in rekindling South Sudan through its matters and its people are:

As you know, our country faces many challenges as we continue to rebuild and develop after years of conflict and instability. One of the key challenges we face is the need to build an effective government that can meet the needs and aspirations of all our citizens.

In recent years and until now, people have raised concerns about the quality of leadership within the government, particularly regarding the individuals you had appointed and that you still appoint to key positions. Many people in your party and in the whole country have a growing sense that, if you remain in power, you need to reinvigorate your political camp with cadres of high quality who can provide effective and visionary leadership and who are committed to working for the good of all citizens, regardless of their tribal affiliations.

In this context, I want to draw your attention to the leadership qualities of Joseph Bangasi Bokosoro, an outstanding example of the type of leader we need in South Sudan. Joseph Bangasi Bokosoro, by his influence, symbolises the political kingpin of the Azande, and has demonstrated his leadership qualities as a former governor of Western Equatoria State who won the election against the incumbent and as an independent candidate.

That didn’t come because of a lack of proper campaign on the part of his then-opponent; it was a direct communication to the SPLM that the affairs of the Western Equatoria people cannot be dictated by the interests of the party or those of a certain clique. It was a direct communication to you that the citizens of Western Equatoria are the decision-makers for the choice of their leaders. They chose you and Bokosoro, not anyone else; therefore, you do not need to combat him.

You need to embrace and acknowledge him as a partner you can work with. Give him his rightful place. Even if you reject him, the will of his people won’t change. They know him as a person of integrity, vision, and commitment who, occasionally, has shown himself to be a statesman rather than a tribal leader.

He is a man of high charisma and is gifted with negotiation, communication, and compromise skills. Most people know him as a strategic thinker who can candidly plan for the country in his capacity. By cooperating with him, he can shelf his ambition and will always remain a kingmaker, given the game of numbers in politics.

Remember that Joseph Bangasi Bokosoro has consistently advocated for the rights and interests of all South Sudanese, regardless of their tribal affiliations. He has worked tirelessly to promote peace, reconciliation, and development in our country and has shown himself to champion good governance, transparency, and accountability.

In contrast, Hon. Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the National Assembly, had not shown any political adeptness in the past. She cannot mobilise any significant support politically and has never shown anything developmental in all the capacities she has served in.

Of late, she has been accused of practising grand corruption and mistreating the members of Parliament. Her leadership style has been characterized as deadwood, and she has been seen as a liability rather than an asset to the government.

To revamp the country, you need a semi-overhaul.” I call this a “semi-overhaul because the opposition’s tribal divides and factors pertaining to your leadership, including having turned the entire region against the opposition, have made it extremely difficult for the opposition to achieve a sound revolution.

I, therefore, acknowledge that the path to revolution is now tortuous and can put our country through more destruction. For this reason, it becomes inevitable to embrace peace rather than continue with the war.

While the quest for peace remains the top agenda item, and that was the reason for His Holiness the Pope and other clergy people to travel to South Sudan and is the main message of the international community, you need to think and reflect that a call of this magnitude is worthy of urgent consideration. Pope’s message was clear. His account of what he expected South Sudan to be was loud and clear.

He said this on war: “No more bloodshed, no more conflicts, no more violence and mutual recriminations about who is responsible for it, no more leaving your people athirst for peace. No more destruction! It is time to build! Leave the time of war behind and let a time of peace dawn!

Besides this, he kissed your feet as leaders of South Sudan and a leader who believes in God. Untangle yourself from the papal kiss by doing the right thing now. His kiss has a spiritual connotation, although it symbolizes humility and a heart of forgiveness.

Leaders always suppress their desires and put the country’s interests first when such a situation arises. For this reason, I believe that to achieve this, you need to take a fresh approach to your leadership and consider bringing in new blood that can provide a fresh perspective on the country’s challenges.

In this context, I implore you to reconsider your stance on H.E. James Wani Igga and find him another position in an advisory role. While Wani has made tremendous contributions to our country, his time as the Vice President has ended, and we need to bring in someone new to help you lead our country forward.

I suggest you bring in a young and dynamic leader from Central Equatoria, someone like Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka. Gen. Thomas has emerged as a champion of his people. He has outgrown his service as a senior military officer. He now deserves to serve in a capacity that would give him the platform to address the aspirations of the people of South Sudan. His ideas count. He needs a platform.

You need to avert the danger that comes with the continuity of war by allowing Gen. Thomas to table his ideas and reflect them in deeds. Since Thomas seems enthusiastic and highly committed to the ideals of federalism and democracy, give him a chance to convince South Sudan because his call for federalism is important. He has also shown himself to be a capable military leader and has the respect and support of many South Sudanese.

By bringing in Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka as Vice President, the South Sudanese can provide a fresh perspective on the challenges they face and work to end the ongoing conflict. His leadership will help unite our country and bring about a new era of peace and prosperity for all South Sudanese.

While I understand that change can be difficult, it is important for you to be bold and visionary in your leadership, and thus you should urgently act by removing James Wani and replacing him with Gen. Thomas. Take steps to bring about the change that our country so desperately needs. I urge you to consider my proposal and to work with Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka to help build a more peaceful, just, and prosperous South Sudan.

In the same vein, I urge you to consider the fate of Bahr el Ghazal, which is getting divided with the passing of each day as reflected in the unrest between Ngok of Abyei and Twic Mayardit, and the role that Gen. Paul Malong Awan can play in helping to address the challenges facing our country.

I believe that Gen. Paul Malong Awan has a lot to offer in terms of his leadership experience and knowledge of the political landscape and the security of the region. While there may have been differences between you, others, and him in the recent past, it is time to put these differences aside and work together for the good of our country.

I understand there may be concerns about Gen. Paul Malong Awan’s loyalty or commitment to your leadership. Still, I believe that these concerns can be addressed through dialogue and engagement. By engaging with Gen. Paul Malong Awan and bringing him back into the fold, you can tap into his skills and expertise to help address our country’s challenges.

I also believe that it is important to recognise the role that Gen. Paul Malong Awan can play in helping to address the concerns of the people of Aweil, who seem to have been left in the wilderness. While Hussein Abdelbagi may have his strengths, he may not address the concerns of the people of Aweil as effectively as Gen. Paul Malong Awan can.

In short, consider the importance of reconciliation with Gen. Paul Malong Awan and recognize the role that he can play in helping to address the challenges facing our country. By working together, you can build a stronger, more unified South Sudan and help bring about a brighter future for all South Sudanese.

This message informs you that the people mentioned here are South Sudanese leaders who can add value to your quest for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous country. They are political kingpins that you should work with to restore calm and enforce sustainable peace. In the literal sense, they are part of the storm in the cup. These political kingpins need an urgent recall.

To emphasize this further, I can say that a political kingpin is a powerful figure in politics who can exert significant control and influence over the political system and decision-making processes. A political kingpin is usually someone who can build a strong support base and establish alliances with other political actors, such as other politicians, political parties, or interest groups. These people have done this, and you know it.

Given these circumstances, I urge you to consider reinvigorating your political camp with cadres of high quality like Joseph Bangasi Bokosoro, Thomas Cirillo, Paul Malong, and others who have demonstrated the leadership qualities to help move our country forward. Leaders must commit to the common good, provide effective and visionary leadership, and work across tribal and political divides to build a more inclusive and prosperous South Sudan.

As the President, you have a critical role in shaping our country’s future. I urge you to take a bold and visionary approach to leadership and to work to build a government that represents the aspirations of all South Sudanese.

By doing so, you can create a brighter future for our country, one that is based on the principles of justice, democracy, and equality. It was not in vain that you fought two wars with zeal. You, your colleagues, and all the South Sudanese wanted to have a country like we have today.

Solving a problem requires no rocket science; it requires surgical and to-the-point action. I know that the opposition leaders will express arrogant and awful statements that they do not need positions and must address the problem from the roots.

That is sheer arrogance and insensitivity to the plight of the suffering citizens. You can fight endlessly, but in the end, you may achieve nothing out of your haughtiness. Be sensitive now. Egotism on either side cannot absolve South Sudan from its mess.

Till then, yours truly, Mr Teetotaler! 

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