December 1st 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – A senior government official allied to South Sudan’s First Vice President Taban Deng Gai has decided to join the main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
Simon Ruot Duop, the director for logistics at the office of the FVP said he decided to join Machar’s group because of the land grabbing which is being done in favor of the country’s ethnic Dinka community in the watchful eye of the government including the First Vice President.
“With due respect to all colleagues whom I admire to work with at the office of the First Vice President of South Sudan Gen. Taban Deng Gai that this public statement might take you by surprise but I hope you will understand that it is a right decision out of clear conscience that when dedication is offered, it should be done with dignity and respect which I rightly think is absence in that high office of the Vice President of the Republic,” Duop said in a statement seen by Nyamilepedia.
“For those who might wonder why now? My honest and director response is, one cannot render national services under someone whose effort is completely contrary to the inherent rights of his people as is the case of land. I am a proud member of Jikany Nuer of Bentiu whose land is now been claimed/given to Dinka Ruweng as is also the case of other Nuer and other South Sudanese communities.
“The Vice President Gen Taban reason of muteness is that office given to him and the hostile attitude against those serving his under his leadership that results to a topical mistreatment of those questioning the scorch earth policy of JCE. That I refused and have decided to join a National Movement under the fair Leadership of Dr. Machar with immediate effect on this very Day, November 29, 2019.”
