Opinion: A request to permit FVP DR. Riek Machar and VP Gen. Taban Deng to travel to Unity State on solidarity visit.

By Dak Buoth Riek-Gaak,

Oct 28, 2021 — The region and the world at large are aware that the Republic of South Sudan is extremely affected by floods ever witnessed in the recent pre- independence and post-independence times. South Sudanese and their respective Institutions of leadership are finding it very difficult to cope and contend with this natural disaster that has made the lives of our people so miserable. 

For about two or so Years now, this flood has jeopardized and paralyzed the agricultural activities that our people rely on for survival resulting in imminent hunger and the displacement of our people. The most difficult parts in mitigating this catastrophe are the lack of roads to access the most affected population which are in urgent need of food and medical supplies. 

It is evidence that the most affected region in South Sudan is Unity State which had almost all her seven counties submerged in water for a long time now. On 11th October, 2021, renowned website ‘Sudan tribune published a report titled ‘‘90% of population in Unity State displaced by floods.’’ 

This news article contains a detailed report on this humanitarian situation including the wailing conversation with Unity State Governor Dr. Joseph Nguen Manytuil regarding the same. In view of the above mentioned, we cannot imagine that the reason why the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny and Vice President Gen. Taban Deng Gai are not visiting Unity state to show solidarity to the Governor and the people is because they have not thought and realized the urgency and the need to pay visit now, or that the duo doesn’t want to go and show solidarity to the governor, and the flood victims for one reason or another. 

They should not hesitate or refuse to visit Unity State now on the pretext that if they go, then people will read politics that they visit their home state, and not other States. There is no law or existing theory in politics that bars one from visiting his or her people on a serious mission similar to this at hand. We believe that they are willing to pay a visit to show not only solidarity, but to see and feel the challenges facing the State Leadership and the people in a way that can make them think outside the box. They don’t have to go together at the same time. 

As of now, what we are greatly worried of, is their sitting comfortably in Juba, waiting for the Unity State Governor to come and brief them in their offices. It’s been many years for them without setting foot in Unity State. This is an opportune time for at least one of them to go and see how the results of the civil war, and the subsequent effects of the flood has made the lives of our people wild and worse. The failure of the two to visit the People of Unity State at the moment now and later demonstrates outright abandonment and desertion of the people in their hour of need, which in all aspects is a betrayal. 

It is common knowledge that Dr. Riek Machar and General Taban Deng Gai are our senior most sons, who have worked, and have enough international connections to intervene positively in a manner that will showcase their hearts of humanity, generosity and leadership that is service oriented. 

In this regard therefore, we call on the President, General Salva Kiir Mayardit to grant permission to the FVP Dr. Riek Machar Teny and the former immediate governor, VP President General Taban Deng Gai to pay visit to Unity State during these difficult times. Failure to grant this permission, we would want the President himself to visit the Unity State sooner than later. 

Few months ago, Her Excellency, Madam Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, vice President for Gender and Youth cluster on His Excellency the President’s permission, quickly visited Eastern Equatoria state in the wake of attack of Humanitarian personnel by the locals. And recently, His Excellency Husein Abelbagi, Vice President for Service Cluster visited parts of Western Equatoria, and Bahr El Ghazal Regions. So, this request to grant permission to the above-mentioned Vice Presidents is the one whose time has come, and we expect this to be acted upon with the urgency it deserves.

Yours Faithfully, 

Dak Buoth Riek-Gaak is the Chairman, Liech Community Association in Kenya. For more information he can be reached through his email at eligodakb@yahoo.com

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