By Gatluak Michael Diew,
August 07, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —— Ladies and gentlemen; you might have come across the interview of Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth on the Algizera English in Addis Ababa on the 5th August 2015. The man, who was to impress the world, completely ran short of ideas. Making up stories, he unsuccessful tried to coverup the coup he and Stephen Taban Deng (STD) made against Machar at the Juba Crown Hotel last month in Juba. Hereunder are quoted from his interview:
1. He claimed that he, Taban, plus three others who convened a meeting at the hotel met the legal quorum for leadership change in IO. He went as far as claiming to have all the generals and politicians with them at the venue;
2. When asked about the intervention forces: he said, they narrowed down their mandate to only protection of civilians/IDPs, Humanitarian & JMEC staff;
3. He was asked; are you speaking on behalf of IO or Kiir faction, he said on behalf of IO-Taban;
4. He said any agreement needs cooperation for its to move ahead, not obstacles. He claimed that their recent cooperation with Kiir enable the opening of Transitional National Assembly (TNA); appointment of the speaker, appointment of Yoal Dok Kuok & Michael Mario Dhuor as advisors of Kiir etc
5. When asked about whereabouts of Dr. Machar; he carelessly said that he doesn’t know;
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Here below is my take; first and foremost, Ezekiel shown that he has no sympathy about the life of Dr. Machar, the people who sacrificed their lives fighting for change, even the life of his bodyguard & cousin Gach Nyakan (Nguot) who was killed by Kiir at J1 on the 8th July 2016.
2nd. It became crystal clear that he is a man with no principles. He was actually fighting for personal interest; not common goal. If one could recalled in July 2013, Machar spelled out his famous six points that he said to have not been addressed by Kiir leadership:
1. Corruption,
2. Tribalism
3. Poor foreign relation
4. Insecurity
5. Disunity of our people
6. Lawlessness.
After the sacked former officials realised that there is a big tree where they can sit under to air out their concerns on the failed leadership of Kiir, then majority joined Machar and decided to make a press conference on the 6th December 2013 (I was in attendance) among the official who attended: Dr. Machar the leader of the team, Pagan Amum, Lado Gore, Deng Alor, Oyay Deng Ajak, Taban Deng Gai, John Luk Jok, Majok Agot, Adwok Nyaba, Kosti Manibe, Madut Biar, Nyadeng Mabior, Crino Iteng, Chol Tong Mayay, Luka Monoja, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Matthew Mathiang Deng.
The group echoed Machar six point and decried Kiir dictatorship tendency. The also said that Kiir had hijacked the party and decided to work with former NCP politicians instead of SPLM Carders. Finally they gave Kiir an ultimatum to call a PB meeting or else they will convene a meeting of PB in his absent.
On the 8th December 2013, their press conference was counter by a rally organised at the same venue, the SPLM house, by a group of Kiir led by Wani Igga, Awet Akot, Kuol Manyang, Anna Itto, Nhial Deng Nhial, Paul Mayom Akech, Riek Gai Kok, Deng Athorbie, among other. Their topic was none rather than a mere insults on the personalities of the above leaders who made the press conference of on the 6th December.
On the 14th December Kiir call a liberation council meeting where he threaten and insulted the leaders who made the press conference. On the 15th December 2015, Kiir shot the gun for the purpose of Killing or arresting the team Machar, fortunately Machar made it out but Taban remained behind at (Mai 7) suburb. Machar stopped and ordered some soldiers to go and rescued him, they went and brought him; then they took off together toward Terekeka. The unlucky (G10) group were collected from their residents and arrested.
Machar gave a condition that those politicians must be released or else he will not send his delegation to Addis Ababa for talks. He also said that he will not ceasefire if the guys are not released. He kept on until six of them were released. (Luk Jok, Deng Alor, Chol Tong, Crino Iteng, Kosti Manibe and Madut Biar) he did not stopped; he asked for the released of the remaining four: Pagan, Oyay, Majak and Lol until they were released. After they were all released; they betrayed Machar and decided to formed their separate group known as G10 through the influence of M7 in order to weaken Machar. Machar did not say a word public against them instead he continued with his reform agendas.
In conclusion; there is a big difference between word Cooperation and Surrender. Cooperation is based on a mutual interest but surrender is giving up or accepting defeat. That is what Taban and Ezekiel have done. They gave up the principles and objectives that let us took up arms for for almost three years. That is a cheap and a easy politics that Machar didn’t want to play because he is a principled man. He will never abandon the cause of his people no matter the threat. Another point, it’s clear that most of the team Machar of the December 6th 2013 conference want Machar dead. It’s evidenced by what Taban, Ezekiel plus G10 did. Taban & Ezekiel sided with the enemy while Machar is being hunted by the very people that they are dining with. They forgot all the sacrifices that Machar had made for them to live today. Machar plus the true and patriotic IO members can never accept 28 states, illegal appointment of the speaker of the Assembly, skipping of the accountability clause and other reforms agenda.
The author, Gatluak Michael, can be reached at gatluakmichaeldiew@gmail.com.
2 comments
The former ambass to us, no longer to be called ambass.
Not confused, but afraid to perished.
Apparently his buddy Taban broke down crying in tears in front of Kiir during the statement of reaffirming his loyalty to the tribal regime. Nuer history at this stage is full of despicable and never to be repeated tales. Some men ran and left their wife to the enemy to do away with, some surrendered begging for mercy in tears, those who are rape, and forced to eat human flesh are probably gone nuts. These are all done to them by Jaang and yet they think its not a tribal war. What a naïve tribe and what a nation.