Feb 12, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– The armed Opposition leader and the newly appointed First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny ordered his spokesperson to reopen his Facebook page which was last year closed down due to hacking.
The First Vice president who directly interacts with south Sudanese through his face book 
page express his willingness to continue engaging with his supporters across the globe via social media like Facebook, twitter and skype.
On November 22, 2015, James Gatdet Dak, the Press Secretary in the office of SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar put out the below statement clarifying the reasons behind the closure of the account:
“This facebook account in the name of Riek Machar Teny is not run or operated by him personally. As I informed you earlier, I, James Gatdet Dak, directed the colleagues running it to close it. This was done in consultation with the Chairman himself. It is unfortunate that people think it is the Chairman who has been posting the messages to them. The language used in such messages can be easily detected as not coming from the Chairman for those who know his writing. He doesn’t operate the facebook and it is not right to post messages as if they come directly from him…It deceives readers!”
Deputy Spokesperson in the Office of the First Vice President, Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/A-IO Col. Nyarji announced the reopening of the Chairman’s Facebook account which was shut down last year.
“Dear people of South Sudan I would like to draw your attention that the page of the chairman run by media team in his office is officially reopened and from today on, the Chairman will directly interact with the people of south Sudan.”
The need to reopen the page according Col. Nyarji is because, “South Sudanese demanded the reopening of the page. No choice but to honor their request and reopen it.” Just like many other leaders around the world with social media accounts to interact with their supporters, Njarji said it would be less painstaking process for South Sudanese people to easily access Dr. Riek Machar especially at this time when Peace Agreement is at its implementation phase.
“To those who follow the SPLM-IO leader on social media links, his Facebook account will be managed by special and professional media crew under close supervision of Deputy Spokesman in the office of South Sudan First Vice President.”
The purpose of setup of the page
“The page is to be redesigned in a manner to capture the image and information for followers. It will bridge the communication between the Chairman and the general public so they should be kept updated with the latest development wherever they unfold in the Chairman’s office.”
If this happens as stated, it will be the first time for South Sudanese people to freely interact with the country’s First Vice President on social links under the management of a team.
Reported by Elbow Chuol, Nyamilepedia Correspondent
1 comment
Dear Col. Nyarji, We are so glate to hear that. I would like know why Juba government still fighting SPLA IO in some parts of Equatorial while the country is peace process?. Is those Army in Equatoria not connected to SPLA IO?. if there is another hidden agenda better for us to know early. If so the country will not be in rest as Poul Malong said.