SPLM/SPLA-IO Officials Decline Taban Deng Gai’s Appointments, Reaffirms Loyalty To Machar

August 5, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —— For the first time in South Sudan history, many politicians have turned down lucrative appointments by the new First Vice President, Gen. Taban Deng Gai, to serve in the government of national unity.

While some officials openly resigned from the TGNU and declared it “dead”, others waited for re-appointments but equally criticized their reappointments and calling on Taban Deng Gai, himself, to resign.

For the last few days, Taban has been working hard mobilizing support and appointing officials, however, the mission seems to be faltering.

So far more than 10 officials have openly denounced their appointment and reaffirmed their loyal to Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the First Vice President and the Commander in Chief of SPLM/SPLA-IO.

Among the officials who have turned down Taban’s appointments include Ramadan Hassan Laku, who was appointed to be a presidential advisor on Good Governance and Rule of Law in the unity government.

Laku denounced the appointment and declared Taban Deng Gai illegitimate saying that he supports only a legitimate party that officially signed the peace deal.

“My position is to stand with the implementation of the peace agreement in a good way, and I am supporting the legitimate party which signed the agreement “he added.

Other officials include Mary Jok Bukjiok, a widow of late William Nyuon and a respected mother in her community.

Mary holds Taban Deng Gai responsible for the death of Gen. William Nyuon Bany and believes that Taban is using the same tactic to try to eliminate Dr. Riek Machar.

“I cannot and never be party to this illegal ‘crown hotel coup’ on the peace agreement. I am a woman guided by moral values and a liberator of my people, just like my late husband Commander William Nyuon Bany, who was also killed by Taban. Taban wanted to kill Dr. Riek the same way he killed my husband, CDR William Nyuon Bany. I cannot accept to be part of this murderous and illegal government of Taban and Lol Gatkuoth.” Hon. Nyajok said.

In a well-organized meeting, Honorable Nuba Batim, denounced her appointment and reaffirmed her allegiance to Dr. Riek Machar and SPLM/SPLA in Opposition, saying that even if Taban succeeds in killing Dr. Riek Machar, the young men in Nuer society together with Children of Dr. Riek Machar will carry on the revolution until Taban and Kiir regime is disposed.

Other officials, who have spoken strongly and declared Taban’s activities as a coup include Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba, Mabior Garang de Mabior, Puot Kang and Thokkhat Khor.

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According to the former Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Lam Akol, Salva Kiir government has failed the peace agreement, however, he warns that killing Dr. Riek Machar will not end the conflict.

“While Kiir’s forces hunt for Dr. Riek Machar to get him “dead or alive” they should be reminded that that will not be the end of the story. The genie is out of the bottle and the last laugh will not be theirs. The people of South Sudan will not stand more of a callous, totalitarian and ethno-centric regime that seems to thrive on the suffering of its people”. Dr. Lam Akol said in Addis Ababa.

In a similar protest, President Salva Kiir sacked at least 6 ministers, who are still loyal to Dr. Riek Machar and swapped them with those loyal to Taban Deng Gai.

None of the officials sacked by the president has complained for losing his or her opposition. Instead they believe it is the right decision because the peace agreement has failed.

To salvage the peace agreement, IGAD heads of states have agreed to send regional troops to safeguard national installations and provide peace and security in major towns of South Sudan.

As a precondition for Machar’s returns to implement the peace agreement, Taban Deng Gai and his recently appointed officials will resign or dismiss from the Transitional Government of National Unity to pave ways for full implementation of the peace agreement.