By Aguer Rual,
Revolutionary greeting to all of you.
Welcome to Pagak consultation conference
Compatriot ladies and gentlemen
December 16, 2014(Nyamilepedia) — It is a great day today and it is an historic meeting because it’s brought together all South Sudanese tribes, men and women from globes. I believes this gathering indicate that diversity is met. We are meeting here as a nationalist, and people with concerns. Our concerns is the cause started since 1983 and end up in juba incident where a large number of Nuer innocent civilians were killed by Salva Kiir. Without his failure and lack of leadership we would have not been here in Pagak for finding a solution Kiirs war which have destruction of life’s and properties,and the economy as a whole and look for better a bright future of our people. As most of you are aware of my loud voice calling and lobbying for Kiir not to be in national unity government . You also bern resisting him militarily and political yet the solution will be political and that why power of pm and president are agreed, and that is why we are here today to make consultation of this matter and come out with positive outcomes.
Compatriot
Some of you may sometimes not aware the consequences of negotiations. The consequences are negative rather than positive, because in any peace dealt there is nothing called loose and win, but what it’s mean here is that in negotiation, you might be in a position by offer to give to get not get to give. So if you are offering by giving first option (give) in this case you become the looser. That means that this agreement is not a good for you and thus you must quit it
And look for better deal.
So, ladies and gentlemen we give Kiir and we get Gat Machar, to lead the government of national unity.
For example what is wrong with having those of cdes Hussein Mar, General Gatdiet Yak, Daw Aturjong and Taban to be the government of national unity? What is wrong if our people are receiving reward, compensation and social security as a result from their long struggle to have the nation we are in today. What’s is wrong if all of us go back to help to rebuild the nation from Kiir destruction.
Let us look only for the benefit of our citizens in term of getting essential services from this government
Ladies and gentlemen, Compatriot
If we have Dr Riek leading government of national unity and key other people our roles to support them to archived our objectives in which we were been fighting for. The changes if which we were all been advocates and lobbying globally has now come to be reality .that why we have heard power of pm and president have been agreed upon
IGAD and troika
First: efforts by IGAD, African Union, troika, UN and individuals concerns and friends to South Sudan, for their generous support since and the people who make it to travel along the way to Pagak, welcome to Pagak our mother home.
My personal appreciation and thank directly go to the head of IGAD. States, UN , AU and USA for patient and long support to people of South Sudan .
We urge all of you to continue with the same spirit, am personally happy to see some of the faces today in this great gathering not as guest but your roles to witness our consultation in respond to the recent power sharing between pm and president and a move to the final peace before December 2014. So feel free and you are most welcome to Pagak.
Our message to all of you
Second: consultation meeting in Pagak:
- Power sharing b/w SPLM IO and juba- it is a good dealt we explain why it is good, what we expect the general army and all people of South Sudan will get from it include every body
2.The role of our delegation, individuals contribution, the army and diaspora and our chairman for his personal contribution to achieved this part of peace
3 the role community, women and the youth for their generous support of our SPLM
4 the role play by Madam Anjelina Teny, compare to the native roles play by Madam Ayen Kir Mayardit particularly in juba crisis or atrocities
We also can mention this agreement will not the same with previous agreements. Why it is not the same tlaks about rewarding , compensations established of strong institutions that are not be tribal based. Also Slava Kiir will not do things by himself. Riek including all of us will involved in any arrangement and management of the country. The international community will not go away until everything is oky. So why do we afraid of Salva again. As we will be in the government our army will be a separate and all will be organised and paid during the transitional of 30 months. Our concerns is that juba will not have a huge army, our security will be police and some units but. UN will take care the officials security.
Our position in the current particular power sharing, we are more lthan happy to be part of new governance, because the benefit we will be getting is that we will be able to United our community,reconcile and begin our first priorities which we wet fought for this include, finically compensating , rewarding and provision of social security to those who suffered in order to bring this nation this will since 1947 to now. I believe
Personal experience with and disapproval of current president, Salva Kiir:
I had profound misgivings about the performance of Salva Kiir and his government for some time before the crisis in December. My misgivings had developed earlier still to the 70s when I had personal experience of his character and behaviour – this was from before the SPLA was formed. His character already showed that he would not be a suitable leader, either in a military or governing role. Not only was he a poor leader, but he was disloyal and committed traitorous acts which many of us could never forgive or forget.
In 2005, at the time Salva Kiir was nominated to be First Vice-President of Sudan and President of the GOSS, I became fearful about the future of southern Sudan. There seemed a strong possibility that a future South Sudan would collapse under his administration. Kiir seemed to be consistently working against the unity of the people and the economic viability of the new nation. He used the privileges of his position to undermine and at times even assassinate any credible political opposition, for example George Athor, Gatluak Gai and many others. He used similar tactics with journalists, for example Isaiah Abraham, despite having complete security of power until 2015. These actions made me suspect that he would create conditions for an undemocratic hold on power after his tenure was meant to cease. His dismissal of Riek Machar in 2013 confirmed my suspicions.
When Riek Machar first joined the movement in 1984, he was quickly promoted due to his capabilities, his personality and the way he related well to other soldiers and people in general. He loved his people and country and did not aspire to tribal prominence or wealth but to the development of the country and the welfare of the southern Sudanese people, regardless of their tribe. His education in many fields and his knowledge of the outside world added to his potential to be a leader of South Sudan.
During his position as Vice-President of South Sudan, Riek showed his ability to work well within his role despite Kiir’s lack of leadership and consultation. Although he was to some degree frustrated with the limits placed on him, he continued to work patiently towards the ideals of the Republic – Peace, Prosperity and Justice. His reaction to his unjust dismissal was measured and dignified, and he expressed his feelings at that time only by means of a media statement in Juba which was witnessed by the world.
The attack on Riek’s house and killing of his bodyguards obviously took him, as well as everybody else, by surprise. It was unjustified and savage. The accusations about him having instigated a coup attempt could not be fairly challenged, and he had no choice but to leave Juba and find safety. After Riek left Juba, the killings of innocent Nuer in Juba increased and numbered up to thousands, then continued in other parts of South Sudan. The war which began in Juba soon was out of control and atrocities occurred on both sides.
At this time, I began to take personal action due to my understanding of events and because it was obvious a massive lie was being told to the world to justify Kiir’s accusations, killings and imprisonment of alleged coup members. It seemed an atmosphere of terror was being perpetrated against not only those accused but an entire tribe (the Nuer) and indirectly to the entire population. This tactic of terror, as I have tried to explain, had developed over a period of years. It was augmented by what seemed to be a campaign devised by a compliant media to turn Kiir into a kind of cult hero who could not be criticised. This in itself highlighted Kiir’s major character weakness which revolved around envy and self-doubt.
My actions were limited to my place of residence, Australia. I began to write; I petitioned the UN for intervention and took a role in informing and advocating the local community. I also communicated directly with many politicians, army personnel, civil activists, journalists, elders and pervious leaders in South Sudan, for example Joseph Lagu, Abel Alier, Bona Malual, Aldo Ajou and other respected individuals. These individuals had tried to advise Kiir that his actions could lead the country to civil war, but had no effect.
The Dinka community, under the chairmanship of Justice Ambrose Riny Thiik, had called several meetings with Salva Kiir since the referendum due to their concerns. Even after the December crisis they had tried to deter him from the course he was following and tried to persuade him to resign. Examples of Dinkas whose frustration with Kiir led them to join the Opposition are Dr Dhieu Mathok Diing, General Dhau Atuorjon, Ayiik Ayiik, Magai…, and I myself, Aguer Rual.
After I made a summary of my observations, recommendations and allegiance to the SPLM-IO this year and sent a copy to the SPLM-IO leadership, I was offered the position of SPLM-IO Representative in Australia. This appointment was taken well by some Nuer and many Dinkas; however, I have applied myself to the work of bringing the two communities together. As a result, and because the truth has been exposed by so many others, even many stubborn tribalists have changed their thinking and expressed solidarity with the movement.
After I was appointed, my role has included hosting the SPLM-IO delegation to Australia led by Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Deputy Chairperson of External Affairs Committee. The delegation went to Canberra and met with the Director of East African Affairs, and this meeting was followed up by a personal meeting held with the same director and myself. I also met Mr Harry Guiness, Adviser to the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. These meetings were a very welcome introduction of the Australian Government to the SPLM-IO and indication of recognition and support of its objectives, which currently are concentrated on peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.
The leadership of the SPLM-IO has requested my presence at Addis Ababa for the Leadership Conference, along with a deputy (Stephen Mac Maluel). However, a number of other interested parties have decided to also attend as part of the delegation and their presence is much appreciated.
SPLA IO: army
I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for the work done by the SPLM IO army during this year of crisis and attack. Without their fortitude and loyalty the resistance would not have been possible and the lives of all South Sudanese would have been vulnerable to possible annihilation. Their work is far from over, as the new government will need their full support and protection from hostile forces, which are not likely to disappear. It is vital that the army maintain its unity of ideology and purpose, and also that the expected government, the army and all the civilians are unified so that South Sudan can hold together as a nation. This cannot be expected to be easy, but it can be made less difficult if the overhauled national institutions can form a framework of support.
We are committed to rewarding and compensating the army and their families for their terrible suffering this year and earlier. We ask the army for patience while the peace agreements are finalised and promise that such compensations are of the highest priority.
political role of SPLM IO
Thanks are also due to the leaders of the SPLM IO who have worked very hard to resist elimination from the political arena and to organise the political wing. Their work in informing the regional and international communities about the truth and the root cause of the crisis has been so successful that they have changed many minds about the falsely alleged coup attempt and other dishonest and destructive actions of Kiir’s government. It is because of their collective efforts that IGAD embarked on the current peace negotiations.
CONCLUSION
Once again, I would like to thank, our leaders and the resistance forces, community members, all chapters around globe and our strong supporters, friends to continue support until the final peace is signed before the end of the year. I also thanks to peace making body, IGAD, AU, UN to speed up and put their efforts to end the senseless war and death.
Finally thank you so much for your patience by listening my long speech, and I hope you have enjoy it.
God Blessed you all, and you will go in peace.
A men
Aguer Rual
SPLM Representative to Australia and head of Australian mission
Pagak , South Sudan
