March 21, 2021(Nyamilepedia) — South Sudan’s former Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, and once a long-term governor of Jonglei State, Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, finds himself in unfamiliar territory, powerful but also helpless and vulnerable.
Responding to claims that he has been arrested or summoned to explain himself over his recent controversial testimony in which he admitted that the ruling party has failed the country and destroyed what it should have rebuilt, the former powerful minister denied the allegations but admits that he remains vulnerable.
” I approached the office to learn much about my new role but there was no answer. ” Kuol Manyang said.
Gen. Kuol was referring to how he was put into a position that he occupies without occupying and without his consent.
“I’m a senior advisor and not a senior advisor at the same time. ”
The former governor of Jonglei State came into the national government when the political climate was approaching its boiling point in 2013 with hopes to subdue the former deputy chairman of SPLM, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, when differed with the chairman over how they run the country; however, Manyang now wants Machar reinstated into his previous position so that the party can be united and people be reconciled.
” We have destroyed our own country by ourselves, and we must fix it as the people of South Sudan, Cirilo. At this point, Riek must come to his place as the Vice President, and the rest of the people go to their positions and then work as one people. This will be the first thing for the unity of the movement” Kuol Manyang said in his recent interview with Mathiang Cirilo.
The interview in which the former Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs criticized the government for its failures has caused uproars and allegations that Manyang could face serious repercussions for speaking out but Gen. Kuol has came out to dismiss the rumors of his arrest.
“I’m home, I have not been summoned to any meeting by the President or arrested as alleged by media” Kuol said.
The former powerful general went on to express his willingness to retire but said he has been pulled along for all these years to serve until now that he is serving without serving.
“When peace was signed in 2005, I told both President Kiir and Dr John Garang that the war is done and it is time for me to go to civilian life and to be a farmer. They refused to let me go….I have wanted to resign as Minister but I was advised by my closest people not to do so. When I was appointed as the Presidential Advisor, I was not consulted. I approached the office to learn much about my new role but there was no answer. Maybe President Kiir was being generous enough to find ways to keep supporting my upkeep but not to be engaged in official duties.” Gen. Kuol Manyang revealed.
The former minister was appointed as a “senior presidential advisor” to the president soon after he was replaced as the minister of defense but for more than a year he hasn’t advised the president.
“I have not advised the President in any way on this status.” Kuol said.
Manyang, who is struggling to see the president, also revealed that he has no access or relationship with his fellow advisors such as Hon. Tutkew, the presidential advisor on security who is constantly seen with the president.
“How can I defend and say that we have not failed, but we have failed. If we have not failed, then what have we done? My relationship with Tutkew doesn’t exist. I’m a senior advisor and not a senior advisor at the same time.” Gen. Kuol Manyang said.
Manyang might not have done much during his term as the governor of Jonglei State but he remains positive that the elite SPLM politicians can deliver services and build schools for children.
“We have destroyed our own country by ourselves, and we must fix it as the people of South Sudan, Cirilo….We have failed to deliver services to people since 2005. We have not built schools, but we will send our own children to Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.” Manyang continued.
