August 7th, 2018(Nyamilepedia) — Speaking after his arrival in Juba, South Sudan, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, made a very controversial statement littered with tribal connotations against the Bor Dinka and Equatorian nationals.
In the airport President Kiir called out his SPLA Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Jok Riak, to question him of why his Dinka tribesmen from his area are now part of an Equatorian rebel movement led by Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirillo, a former deputy chief of Staff of the SPLA.
According to President Kiir, the Equatorians are killing Dinka ethnic group in Equatoria over cattle disputes which he believes are mostly from Jonglei State.
Kiir does not see any justification for fellow Dinka to fight his government alongside Equatorians who are killing Dinka ethnic group.
In the rest of his speech, which has angered some supporters, president Kiir complained that he was forced into signing a peace agreement that he believes is impossible to implement.
“To hell with his unprofessional speech ya Dau! It is a curse for South Sudan to have him as a ruler of this nascent State.” Said a member of South Sudan Advocacy Group.
“The President should have rewrote his speech for the day of peace. I would play dead, I don’t know why people were clapping. You can’t blame Buor for one person. Just talk about Michael and leave Jok Riak alone and other people.” Said David Awuol Deng
“He never delivered anything to people of South Sudan but tribalism war and destruction. Lack leadership qualities of a good leader.” Said Papiti Giel
“Kiir is really a Tribal man … where did Gen. Thomas Cirilo or national salvation said that we are fighting against Dinka?” Said Tereza Leila Jube
President Kiir, who was received by thousands of South Sudanese from different tribes of South Sudan, excited that their president has brought peace, said he does not know how he will run a government with 5 vice presidents, 550 mps and 35 cabinet ministers.
The troubled South Sudanese president claimed that he was forced into signing the agreement by President Al Bashir and other regional leaders.
Kiir’s statement in the airport reiterates his initiated behavior at the Sudan’s Friendship Hall where he refused to shake hand with the leader of the SPLM/A(IO), Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
A video clip that shows Kiir’s undiplomatic behavior at the peace signing venue has gone viral on social media and Kiir has been bashed left and right by many South Sudanese and friends of South Sudan who see his conduct as outrageous for a leader of a country.
“It’s not only childish behaviour he displayed but also stupidity in nature. Where does he learn one can turndown handshake after signing peace. He is embarrassing himself and the the nation by acting like moron in front of the world leaders” Said one social mediator commentator, Jikany Both.
” This body language you are seeing in Salva Kiir is always a human psychological phenomenon, especially when two or more people have lost trust and confidence. President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar have just signed the agreement to work together again. Hard feelings cannot subside within twenty-four hours. They both need counseling and reconciliation and continuous dialogue for them to rebuild trust, confidence and collective working for South Sudan. It is now our duty, supporters of Salva and Riek, to come together and persuade them to reconcile for sake of the country and people. They must respect the people’s will. The people of South Sudan want nothing, but peace and good leadership. Enough is enough.” Said Aldo Ajou Deng Akuey, father of Loul Deng and member of the Jieng Council of Elders on Facebook.
It is now remains to be seen if this peace agreement will amount to anything more than the previous peace agreements.
