By Gabriel Gatluak Dak Yau,
Kakuma | Kenya.
Jan 06, 2015(Nyamilepedia) —- My congratulations to the chairman and C-IN-C of SPLM/A, His Excellency, 1st Lt. Gen, Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon for his wise and bold decision to promote well deserved generals, who saved lives, protect property and proven our dignity to the whole wide world, to high ranks and portfolios.
On my own behalf as a patriotic son of South Sudan and a proud citizen of Naath nation, I take this humble opportunity to present my votes of thanks and appreciations to our visionary leader and future president, Dr. Riek Machar Teny for promoting his generals and colleagues in the ranks and files of SPLA in opposition for their hardworking that save our country, south Sudan, from disintegrating into endless tribal warfare.
With no single doubt, tribal minded president, Sultan Salva Kiir Mayardit, set our major tribes against one another for him to remain in power so that his tribal elites could loot resources and alienate our people, the 63 minor tribes, of their ancestral lands and resources. But because our leader, Dr. Riek Machar, is a genius he reversed the conflict in Gadiang, Jonglei State, in less than one week from tribal warfare to political conflict. Because of the hard work of these generals under the leadership of Dr. Riek Machar our nation is saved from falling apart and now every citizen is waiting eagerly for reforms that will set our nation on prosperous, peaceful and united path to greatness. We can’t thanks you sir enough. Thanks you Dhurgon!
Secondly, my gratitude and appreciations to the newly promoted generals from my beautiful hometown of Ayod County, Phow State. Since 1955 to 2013 we have had ten high command generals. Today we are proud and thankful as Gawaar-Nuer Community worldwide that more than twenty generals have been promoted to rank of major general and higher. As a community we are not surprised to see our sons recognized for their hard work. Our sons and daughters under the leadership of Major Gen. Gabriel Duop were among the first to defect. In fact Gen. Duop Lam was the 4th high rank and former Minister to declare his defection after Gen. Peter Gatdet Yaka, Gen. Koang Chuol Ranley and Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth.
Since then our sons and daughters under the promoted generals have dominated the war under Major Gen. Gabriel Duop in Jonglei State, Maj. Gen. Puok Koang in Northern Upper Nile, Maj.Gen. Simon Diang Duoth in Southern Upper Nile and other generals in Unity State and parts of Bhar el Ghazal to mention but just a few.
Despite that the enemy penetrated into our city of Ayod in April 2014, our sons saved the rest of Naath nation after trapping and torturing battalions of Ugandans’ UPDF and battalions of Mathiang Anyoor that were let loose to encroach the entire Nuer Land from Duk Padiet to Nasir and far north in Upper Nile state. Ayod has the main highway and river Nile tributary (Phow) that connects Juba to Malakal. This is the rout Gen. Paul Malong wanted to use to end the war in 30 days when he was promoted by his tribesman Salva Kiir but our generals, sons and daughters made sure that project failed in less than one month by trapping and surrounding the enemy in Ayod and prevented the enemy to access the rest of Nuerland, especially the neighboring Uror and Fangak County. We therefore believe that our generals did their utmost best and deserve such promotions.
I give thanks to Almighty father who cared and protected our leaders, the generals, in such a difficult task and saved lives of thousands innocent citizens of Ayod and our neighbors, both women and children and their property. Because of your priceless service and unity, our community has maintained its dignity and we shall continue to prosper as one big family in Naath community and South Sudan nation.
Our message to you all, our son of Gawaar- Nuer community in the liberation movement, under the leadership of H.E Dr.Riek Machar is that our community is fully behind you. Since December 15, 2013 up to date, we have chosen our position and that is to firmly support you in whatever you do. We remember all of you, our sons and daughters, at the frontline, all the fallen souls and everyone who lost a parent, brother, sister, a child or a relative in this war from day one up to date. We pray to almight to open all your doors to serve your community, your nation and your God. May our creator grant you all his wisdom and knowledge to lead in peace and harmony in our society.
Our gratitude to all Gawaar-Nuer community worldwide for standing firm with the movement under the able leadership of Dr. Riek Machar Teny and Gen. Alfred Lado Gore. As a community we are known for our values and brevity. We are grateful to our Diaspora community for supporting our sons and daughters financially, emotionally and physically day and night. We also thankful to our sons, specially Gen John Both Teny (Aka Wiaknyachak), who has been entrusted by Dr. Machar leadership to take fully responsibility and management of the Pagak headquarters, as the commander in charge, and also Gen. Gabriel Duop Both Lam ( wechtutmok ) who was trusted with full responsibility to manage our Jonglei and Phow States as our military governor. Because of your intelligence and humble leadership, Phow has seen very minimal disruption and Pagak has remained peaceful.
More thank goes to our Generals who are heading the security section, Gen. Thoi Reat Chany and Gen. John Duoth Nhial. We thanks all our generals at the front lines. Thanks for uniting our sons in the army. We are proud that, despite all temptations, none of our commanders has defected to the enemy. May you keep such spirit as you continue to lead us.
The author of this article, Gabriel Gatluak Dak, can be reached by email at gatluakgabrieldak@yahoo.com.
