Sept 24, 2019(Nyamilepedia) —- South Sudan’s armed opposition, the SPLM/A(IO) turned down a strategic offer to some of its members to travel alongside government delegation to New York this week to attend the UN General Assembly – a decision that may cause more harms than good to the rebels.
According to a document extended to Nyamilepedia, the SPLM/A(IO) turned down the appointments of its members on the basis that they were appointed by the chairman of the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC), Tut Kew Gatluak Manime, a right hand man to president Salva Kiir and not by the leadership of the armed opposition.
This decision, however, is creating a rift as some members of the SPLM/A(IO), who were attempted to accept the offer to travel to New York, are now questioning the chairman, Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
One of those members who came forward to raise his dissatisfaction with the decision is Mr. Yien Thiang Luony, the Executive Director of the Relief Organization for South Sudan(ROSS).
Addressing Dr. Riek Machar in a letter dated September 20th, 2019, Mr. Yien admitted that he wrote the letter in anger with “heavy-heart and disappointment” not just because he missed the trip to New York but also because of how it was politicized by members of the SPLM/A(IO).
“Comrade Chairman I must admit I’m writing to you with heavy-heart and disappointment. Apart from the Deputy Chair [Henyr Odwar], the spin that was put around by people who should have accepted responsibly is disappointing to say the least.” Mr. Yien Said.
“My loyalty to this movement, as well as my capacity to represent its interest, shouldn’t have been questioned because the NPTC nominated me for a mission” He continued.
Mr. Yien wrote his letter to Dr. Machar after he was called and advised by the deputy chairman that he could not travel to New York because the SPLM/A(IO) did not approve the selection process that was done by a third party – NPTC.
Mr. Yien, however, took the blame down on Hon. Angelina Teny, whom he accused of having been involved in politicking of his appointment- something he believes would taint his good reputation.
“Sir, I must admit that I’m not comfortable with Cde. Angelina Teny’s role in my alleged defection. Cde. Angelina Teny can’t be destroying things (reputations, comradeship, harmony…) she can’t replace”. Yien raged on.
Comrade Yien went on to blame unnamed individuals for “thinking that they have seen the finishing line”.
Despite, mr. Yien and others, who were single handedly appointed by Mr. Tut Kew, did not travel to New York and at the time of this writing, Dr. Machar did not respond to the letter of Mr. Yien.
