Feb 20, 2015 (Nyamilepedia) – The South Sudanese opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) led by the former vice-president underestimated the defection of its former military spokesperson who returned to Juba on Thursday.
Brig Lul Ruai Koang arrived to the South Sudanese capital 24 hours after a press conference held in Nairobi where he announced his defection and the creation of a new group. He further said ready for peace with the government and denounced Riek Machar’s greed for power.
In his response for the first time on the defection of his former colleague, Machar’s spokesperson James Gatdet Dak said he was not sure what transpired and led his colleague to abandon the struggle, but added that he respected his personal decision.
“I am not sure what transpired and led him to return to Juba. It is however his own decision and should be respected as it is,” Dak said refusing to discuss the different rumours circulating about Lul’s defection.
However, he said Lul’s claims that a coup attempt took place in Juba and that Machar was continuing fighting in order to simply reclaim his former positions were not true.
“This is not true. It is a misrepresentation by those who are either out of touch with realities or choose to distort the realities,” the rebel leader’s spokesperson assured Nyamilepedia when reached on Thursday on phone.
He asserted that when Machar expressed deep concerns to president Salva Kiir about six main issues on “governance, corruption, insecurity, economy, tribalism, poor international relations as well as loss of vision and direction” in the ruling SPLM party, he was still the vice president of the country as well as the first vice chairman of the party.
Dak said Machar’s revelations and urge for reforms cost him his positions in the government and in the party and not the other way around.
“This is the reason we have been asking IGAD mediation to first address the root causes of the crisis instead of leadership structure. The root causes to us are not the lost positions or formation of government of national unity,” he said.
The rebel leader’s spokesperson further said without addressing the core issues that always led to crisis within the SPLM since its inception and then introduce better governance system and implement reforms, the crisis will likely reignite.
Lul defected to Machar’s group in January 2014 after the crisis while he was studying in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was not in the country when the war broke out. Machar then appointed him as spokesperson for the military.
NEW REBEL GROUP
Dak also said there was no indication that Lul formed a new movement, saying Lou Nuer officials dismissed his claims as well.
“Lul’s premature return alone to the government without an agreement cast doubt whether he was sincere with his claims or has chance to make a strong argument within the government on the demand,” he said.
At his return from Nairobi on Thursday, Koang who arrived alone to Juba, was received by David Yau Yau, former rebel chief and current administrator of the newly established Greater Pibor Area (GPA).
The former military spokesperson demand the creation of Greater Akobo state for the Lou Nuer similar to the special arrangement made for Greater Pibor of Murle ethnic group.
He announced he formed a movement known as South Sudan Resistance Movement/Army (SSRM/A) and would negotiate with the government on the demand.
10 comments
i don,t understand what forced Lul Ruei to choose Dinka regime in juba yet he didn’t want Dinka son in bush (Mabior De Garang) he ran from bush that he dislike to listen the advice or to be administerated by dinka who kill thousand Nuer in juba. Now if mabior phone to any one tel the secrete behind his defection that guys is triblist then any?
Lul Ruei kong that time u threat Mabior De Garang that if he came to pagak u will killed him becoz he is a Dinka,due to ur hatred to Dinka that,they cannot still rule u in bush yet they are killing ur pple why u go to juba of Dinka dominated city where they buchered thousand Nuer without mercy ? do you think Mabior have hand to finished u in juba as u have been threated him till he refused to pagak conference?
Lul have right to defected from rebel because there is no laws governance that movement.on other hand this war is not between Dinka and Nuer if it was between Dinka and Nuer. all Dinka would have to fight Nuer now 70% of Dinka are not involve in fighting saying that it is Government itself fighting and you rebel you are saying it is between Dinka and Nuer. in policy there is no permanent enemy Lul Ruai has choose the right path to go back to government
Guys leave mr lul ruai alone.he is man who knws somethings good. being a fool do not
make you to becom wise due to a common sense nature of the person lul is awise man who thinks far . Instead of fools to used a wise man us a tool (apparatus) better for a wise man to leave fools with their foolly thinkings . True
I mean that time Mabior refused to come to pagak due threat Lul have done him.& if Mabior leak all information Lul what will be your fate?
Lul Ruai Kong has becomes the true betrayal to his own tribes by leaving them in the bush because of money! I don’t know hw will feel about it”
These little cracks will amounts to major holes if not repaired. SPLM-IO have a lot of damage repairs to do. I don’t agree with their assessment of Lull’s defection that it will have any affects on their moment. Lets wait and see how the future developments turns out concerning Lul. perhaps if Lul succeeds in a bid to take Akobo, men and women of greed will flock to Lul seeking position and containing that will raise more questions specially if such an agreement comes with relative peace embedded within.
Now, let me alert those regions or states with specific tribes/clans that will automatically face isolation by strategy of pockets of peace promises to anyone that dialogue or sign peace with the government. Much like the 80th you will be divided and fight amongst yourselves as clans against clans, tribe against tribe, and states against states. Should you not seek unity amongst yourselves and sign a blank check against your rights to Kiir, the predator or ethnic regime(South Sudan Government) will come swift away the weak ones amongst you. Remember you are sheeps tend to by the wolves.
Let’s him go his defector is nothing. Shame on him.
Mary no pain without pain if mr lul defection is nothing why do you talk against him instead to say to him aproperately by giving him thank for what he has don!
My opinion I would like to add on this. Lou would not and they will not move from where they are.They always stay because they are not the people who keep up and down. I have content and a knowledge they will stand firm.