Juba, South Sudan,
South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Communication and Postal services, Hon Michael Makuei Lueth warns those who are advocating for popular uprising in the country to overthrow Salva Kiir’s government that they will not be tolerated.
Speaking to media in the national capital, Makuei reiterates that any peaceful demonstration calling for the system to go is not a peaceful demonstration and therefore it cannot be tolerated.
” Any peaceful demonstration calling for the system to go is not peaceful demonstration, if you go to the street today and you demand that I must go, if you say I must go and if I don’t go you will opt to violence and if you go into violence we will not tolerate that,” Makuei explains.
In response, Makuei believes that the government had to resort to tough measures to prevent the protests altogether to ensure that there is peace and stability.
“so the best thing would have been either prevention is better than cure, so we prevented it order for us to have peaceful South Sudan “, Michael Makuei told V.O.A from Juba.
The 30th of August 2021 was scheduled as a “National Awakening Day” by a group that calls itself “People’s Coalition for Civil Action” where they promised to strike on that day and demonstrate their demands but due to full deployment of many police officers in the capital, the protesters failed to show up on the due date.
In response to critics, who blame the government and described their action as “autocratic” for restricting citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful protest and assemblies, the government spokesman Michael Makuei said any popular uprising intended to oust the seating regime is not peaceful and as such it has to be deterred before it could cause any violence.
Michael Makuei added that President Salva Kiir will stay in power until the elections are held and urging those who looks for power to wait and contest during general elections in the country in what he believes would be “Peaceful transfer of power” instead of unconstitutional means
On 29th of August 2021, the Inspector General of Police cautioned citizens against popular uprising and demanded citizens to remain at homes or else go for their normal activities.
The government shutdown the internet service On 30th of August 2021, the day which was designated as “National Awakening Day” by People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA).
In attempt to offer more alternatives, Michael Makuei promises that “elections are around the corner” and that citizens should be patient.
South Sudan attained her independence over 10 years ago; however, the living standards has deteriorated to pre-independence period. With over 400, 000 dead and nearly 4 millions people displaced to refugee camps and IDPs concentration centers, the rest live barely on humanitarian assistance.
South Sudan is also facing catastrophic floods in most regions but the government has no capacity to intervene to evacuate or provide basic services in the most affected areas.
