July 26, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– The retired general, Taban Deng Gai, who took oath today as the new First Vice President replacing Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the Commander-in-chief and chairman of SPLM/SPLA in Opposition, has  sworn his allegiance to President Salva Kiir as his Commander in Chief and calls for the abolition of SPLA-IO.
Speaking after his swearing-in ceremony to a position that requires the holder to be the Commander in Chief and Chairman of the armed opposition, SPLM/SPLA-IO, Â Taban spoken sweet and softly, mostly, to please the president.
While assuring his allegiance, the former Chief negotiator surrenders his supposedly SPLA-IO army and calls on civilians under the protection of the United Nations to come out and begin contributing to building the nation.
“I will work with all of you and my target is that you [IDPs] come out of the refugee camps, you will return to your homes and help develope your country” Taban said.
“As I said, you re my commander in chief, the country cannot have two armies” he continued.
President Salva Kiir has high hope that Taban could be the next messiah for the people of South Sudan.
“What I want comrade Taban to do is actually for all of us, to silence the guns, we must stop the war.” Kiir said.
Although it is yet to be seen, Taban does not control the SPLA in Opposition, in fact many generals who defected from Machar in the past cited Taban as their internal enemy.
Speaking to disgruntled generals in Nairobi in December 2015, Maj. Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth, who spoke on behave of the defected senior generals, clearly blames his defection on Taban saying that the chief negotiator took his position as the deputy Chief of SPLA-IO for logistics and Machar could not intervene.
Gai has also been tested in United States, however, his leadership witnessed many defections of many senior SPLA generals including the Lt. Gen. Peter Gatdet, Lt. Gen. Baping Manytuil and maj. gen Mathew Puljang among other senior generals.
Most of these bull Nuer generals teamed up with Taban main’s rival, Dr. Joseph Nguen Manytuil, who took power from Taban through a presidential decree in mid 2013.
The rivalry between Taban and Dr. Nguen, whose brother Gen. Bapiny is now a deputy chief of staff on Kiir’s side, saw Nguen group vacating the city as Taban began to gain President Salva Kiir’s confidence.
Despite that Taban’s allegiance to President Salva Kiir is hoped to bring peace to the war-torn country, the unity within Kiir’s ranks alone is at risk.
Taban could be forced to resign if the First Vice President returns but it is less unlikely given that Salva Kiir government is now weighing military solution to crush Riek Machar and his forces.
8 comments
This is a treason in its raw form. Firing squads would be delighted to put these men out of their misseries.
Taban, will you build your bew house on top of the graves of 20 000 nuer men woman and children killed by Kiir in Juba?
How can you silence the guns of Malong?
How do you explain the helicopters and tanks your new best friend used just a week ago to kill the very soldiers who protected you?
How can you ever face the relatives of the nuers killed by Kiir, the kilked on which you now trample.
Have you now honor?
Isnt there anything holy? No border where you say “enough”?
There are some problems which only can be solved by a bullet, this appears to be one of those
Well, let not supprised for what Taban Deng did. We must move forward as a movement. Just watch out there cause there can be another satan out there or with in us.
My concern now is, please please make sure Dr Riek Machar is guarded always. Enemy with in now.
But if Taban Gai is on SPLM-IO ticket for the position of VP, why should he again show allegiance to Kiir who is SPLM-IG? These are two different political entities.
I think Nuers are themselves their greatest enemies. The jaang are here smarter. They have consolidated their ranks, even Gen. Aturjong has returned to the jaang SPLA. He made sure even under Dr. Riak, he did not attack SPLA in Northern Bahrel Ghazal. Sadly enough, intra-Nuer fracticide will now intensify and the jaang have an easy hand.
Who will avenge for the thousand innocent Nuer killed, when their own leaders have become sellouts? This is sad.
The GeneralTaban Gai is a well-known in the SPLA/M who has fought against Khartoum regime with courage since 1983 before He collaborated with fundamental Islamic regime after sense coup in 1991. No matter what differences, the Southern Sudanese people are capable to embrace forgiveness, tolerance and peace. We didn’t vote for referendum to build a tribal nation, we voted to build a prosperous and peaceful nation. Our main problem is poverty, illiteracy and disease, it is not who occupy J 1. I hope you will serve as a national leader not as narrow-minded tribal paramount . I’m here to congratulate you and I believe your leadership will help us to value life of each citizen.
and now we see the worst traitor ever? I am sorry for the NUER but you must clean your house & rally behind the only visionary leader in south sudan. My GOD taban deng just declared there is no need to have SPLM IO army because he knows he has no supporter? Shameful
Tanan put nuer behind because of position, you will remain as Taban.NUER may not joint you because you lose their vision. but we will still confidence in our aim. hold your post but you will get the solution of it
Thanks to Taban Deng for creating an ideal situation to finally unite South Sudanese to fight for total removal of the regime of Presdent Kiir!!!