By Luk Kuth Dak
October 12, 2013 (SSNA) — It’s extremely flattering to have readers e-mail I should run for a public office in my homeland, the republic of South Sudan. There are also a number of adoring fans that said I should just establish my own newspaper and be over with writing for others, among them is my dear friend, Ambassador Dhonojack Obongo, the distinguished head of the mission in the Embassy of South Sudan in Washington DC.
My dear, friend, Uriah Stewart of the Home Deport asked me: "Luke! (with an e as most Americans do) do you get paid for your terrific articles?" My answer was no. "If I get paid, I told Uriah, for all the articles I have written and continue to write, I might not be working part-time for you."
While I am grateful for all the encouraging words from the readers, I think I will keep my day job with the Marriott International and the Home Depot, respectively.
Former US President, the late John F. Kennedy put it best. "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." So, the love of my country’s the driving force for all of the hours, sometimes days to pen an article that I somehow believed will be a voice to the voiceless in my homeland.
And for a host of good reasons, the article – mentioned above- has a sparked a genuine debate. Some of (you) readers agreed with me that our new Speaker will not take a no for an answer to President’s Mayardit’s continued violations of the constitution. Indeed, those of you who thought things couldn’t get any worse are wrong.
Very, very wrong, in fact.
A few days ago, the President of the republic, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit’s issued a decree pardoning some of the most vicious war lords, whose hands are still freshly full with the blood of innocent children and women. Those criminal who should’ve been locked up forever, will now walk freely, while the families of their victims have nowhere to turn to in their quest for justice.
Like many of you out there, am totally outraged by the President’s renegade decision to pardon murderers. It’s undemocratic, and indeed an unconstitutional, because such majors ought to be taken by the people’s Parliament.
But, with a Speaker who cannot speak, the President got all made.
The author is a former anchorman with Juba Radio, and he can be reached at: [email protected]