By Kueth Machar,
Opinion.
Sept 08, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — The former political detainees or Great 10 as we usually refer to them are formers government ministers and governors in the previous government before the 23rd July, 2013 presidential degree which dissolved the entire cabinet including the President’s 2010 running mate and there was no government in the republic of South Sudan for a period of two weeks and we only had the President as the symbol of the government
These gentlemen are also formers generals during 21 years of the civil war in Sudan which resulted to the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan through the Comprehensive peace Agreement (CPA) which was signed on 9th January, 2005 in Nairobi at Nyayo stadium. Therefore they are our living heroes as any other South Sudanese who sacrifice his/her life for the freedom of all South Sudanese. When Kiir agents arrested them during the December, 2013 Juba massacre all most South Sudanese and international community plus our regional leaders demanded for their released because they were innocent as proven by the high court in Juba who acquitted them from all charges. These men are intellectuals, army officers and great politicians and have done a lot for our country and on personal note I have a lot of reservation for these men because their commitment and others during the struggle brought us this far.
THEIR IMPORTANCE IN THE PEACE TALK IN ADDIS ABABA
G10 block in the peace talk in Addis Ababa is so important and helpful for the SPLM/SPLA IO to gain political support in their push for reforms in all sectors of government and introduction of federal governance in the republic of south Sudan. These men in my personal observation share the same ideology with the SPLM/SPLA IO in paper and in political mobilization and we should not see them as cowards because that does not hold water since they fought together with South Sudanese citizens during the civil war and most of them rise through to the ranks of generals in SPLM/A movement. They have been advocating for Kiir to be out of power and justice must prevail for the victims of the massacre which is the demand of the SPLM/A IO and majority of South Sudanese.
Their absent in the SPLM/A IO structure had given an opportunity to few individuals who are now appointed to senior positions had the G10 joined them, these people would have not gotten the chance to exploit their abilities to serve the people of South Sudan at their current positions. These gentlemen fully support the restructuring of our country from the unitary system of governance to federal system of governance and above all they are demanding for Kiir removal from presidency and justice for the victims to prevail, therefore we should not pushed them hard yet we know we are walking on the same path.
WHAT G10 MUST KNOW
G10 must understand that South Sudanese are watching keenly on most of the politicians and they included, we are at defining moment and whoever will be on the wrong side of history will never be trusted in our federal republic. The people of South Sudan are also disturbed by their quietness in this crisis and it is advisable that you engage the people around so that your stand is never mistaken.
CONCLUSION
I want to remind my fellow South Sudanese that we can never be champions on ourselves but we better strict our search for justice on specific issues which we all know. Struggle for freedom, democracy, equity, equal distribution of natural resources, inclusivity is never easy in any tyrant system coupled with incompetency. As we sacrifice ourselves to liberate South Sudan from dictatorship we must bear in mind that not all of us will join the same day neither will all of us complete the task together, others will join us along the way while others will give up in the process. We should not be tempted to discourage rather we should encourage G10 are South Sudanese, formers army generals, intellectuals and politicians, they are aware of South Sudan crisis and more informed then some of us let’s give them time and play their part in the peace talks after all we all need peace that’s why all stakeholders to the conflict are in Addis Ababa this shows dialogue is most cheapest and shortest way of resolving conflicts. I might differ with some of my fellow citizens on my article but just appreciate that diversity.
You can reached me through my email kueth96@gmail.com
