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By Peter Gai Manyuon
October 2, 2013 (SSNA) — Every Country worldwide has got the history of its own and the people who were behind the process of its struggle are like those of the new nation known by the name South Sudan is no different. We have many South Sudanese who have liberated our Country from northern Sudan but not all of them will be remember. But, there are only few individuals who will be remembered as people who liberated their country from a ruthless enemy with a vision to create a viable democratic nation and these few individuals still keep their democratic promises for our young nation.
First of all, let me give you just small highlights, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, who is currently Vice Chairman of the (SPLM), the ruling party, was born in 1953 in Leer, South Sudan. He studied at several schools in Sudan before winning a scholarship for Europe where he got all senior qualifications that are beyond descriptions at this particular period of time.
Dr. Machar joined the (SPLM/A in the year 1984 and he was honored with a rank of alternate commander following successful completion of his military courses in Cadet. Following his graduation from military college, he was selected to take (Mor-Mor) to the frontline to combat against Khartoum forces; this is where Dr. Machar did his best. His mission was successful and as a result, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutant Colonel and became one of the Political-Military High Command of the (SPLM /A) under the leadership of late Col. / Dr. John Garang de Mabior. Machar had been a member of the Central Military High Command of the (SPLA) for almost eight years.
On 28th of August 1991, Dr. Machar rebelled against late Dr. John Garang along with Cdr. Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin and Cdr. Gordon Koang Chol to form a SPLA-Nasir. The SPLA-Nasir was later renamed as SPLA-United. The SPLA-United was reportedly changed to SSIM/SSIA to struggle for the self-Determination for the people of the South Sudan. The Nasir Faction (NF) drafted a political manifesto which incorporated Self-Determination for the marginalized South Sudanese and forwarded the copy of the manifesto to the local and International Community (IC). At that time the Torit and Nasir Faction (NF) had been clashing over the creation of the new vision.
The Torit Faction (TF) which was headed by late Dr. Mabior was struggling for United Secular Democratic Sudan and not separation of the entire South Sudan from North.
The Torit Faction (TF) was receiving logistical support from many countries but had no manpower. The Nasir Faction (NF) led by Dr. Machar experienced shortage of military supplies but had manpower. None of these movements was totally destroyed during the periods of factional wars.
Based on that regards of self-determination that lead to the Independency of the Republic of South Sudan in July of 2011, the idea of self-determination is justified and that Dr Machar is another Mandela, but, there are some people who have not understood him properly due to the fact that tribalism and corruptions have taken over the vision of the party. South Sudan has become a nation where politicians just look for themselves and not the interest of the nation.
Hence, in the autonomous South Sudan, we have only Dr Riek Machar Teny who needs only one term in office to be like the former liberator Nelson Mandela who brought South Africans from darkness. Why do I say this?
Since the inception of the liberation struggle to date, Machar had been in forefront fighting for the recognition of the South Sudanese people through addressing relevant diplomatic issues that led to the separation of the two Sudans.
Most people in the South Sudan participated during the liberation struggle but not up to the extent that Dr Machar reached.
Dr Machar is man of peace; he fought for the self-determination and maintains the dignity for the people of South Sudan.
He disagrees with the former President of the Government of Southern Sudan Dr John Garang during the liberation struggle and their disagreement gave birth to the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan on 9th of July 2011.
Now, there those who are confusing the history of our country, these half-informed people are trying to give the credit of self-determination to people who have never been heard talking about it; this is an attempt to try to blindfold the history of the country. These claims are not realistic and accurate to be pronounce because we have to tell the facts as the people of South Sudan.
Some two to three people are saying that Dr Machar fought with Garang last time and therefore, he should not be the next President of the South Sudan as the nation, who told you my dear? Late Dr. Garang is one of South Sudanese leaders who will never be forgotten because of his fight against ruthless Khartoum’s regime; he can even agree with me that Dr Machar is a good leader who deserves to be given credits I am expressing.
Secondly, looking at the contribution of the late Dr John Garang, yes he was the leader of the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) during the bush war; he also participated in the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that was signed on the 9th of January 2005 in Naivasha, Kenya with our current President General Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr Machar because these guys signed some protocols and I hope no one will dispute that.
The author is independent journalist and writer who wrote extensively on issues to do with democracy in South Sudan; you can contact him through [email protected]