Press StatementJuly 4, 2014 (SSNA) — The Malual Community Association’s Technical Committee, Members, Elders, and its Religious Leaders are here to thank and congratulate Former Ambassador to the United States of America Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth for his bold and courageous decision to join SPLM/A-in Opposition-Resistance movement led by Former VP of f the Government of the Republic of South Sudan Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon. Ambassador Gatkuoth declared joining the SPLM/A-in Opposition on June 30, 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On the day of his declaration to the opposition in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stand beside him were two great Generals from Greater Upper Nile, General Chaiyot Manyang Wur and Brigadier General Khor Chuol Giet. This was a historic movement for the Greater Malual Community, Upper Nile, and South Sudanese people in general who have been terrorized and victimized by President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s regime during the wake of South Sudan crisis.
The current crisis in South Sudan which President Salva Kiir himself instigated on December 15, 2013, by attempting to eliminates Dr. Riek Machar and his colleagues from South Sudan’s Political scene, was a lack of political will and a failure of leadership. As a result, it tragically plunged the whole country into state of chaos. By all counts, President Kiir miserably failed the country since he assumed the leadership of SPLM party and right upon by the time he led the self-government which its mandates brought by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 between the government in Khartoum and the SPLM/A. South Sudan gained her independence on July 9, 2011, as a result of overwhelming Referendum vote of 98% by South Sudanese people. The death of charismatic Leader, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, left Salva Kiir Mayardit not knowing what he should do to transform the country politically, economically, and socially. His failure to transform the country as a result, decided to divide the country regionally and ethnically to continue hold on power in a form of a dictatorship.
Ezekiel Gatkuoth was detained for 130 days along with his SPLM Colleagues and Political Leaders, later known as G-11 with the exception of two home arrests and three leaders who escaped and ran for their dear lives. The G-11 and the other 5 members, namely Pagan Amum Okiech, Deng Alor Kuol, John Luk Jok, Kosti Manibe Ngai, Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak, Gen. Dr. Majak D’Agoot, Gen. Madut Biar Yel, Gen. Gier Chang Aluong, Governor Chol Tong Mayay, Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, and Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth together with Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Madame Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, Taban Deng Gai, Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba and Alfred Lado Gore. The 12 detained were arrested a day after President Kiir ordered his presidential guards commander Marial Chanuong to disarmed Nuer presidential guards in the Tiger Battalion at Gudele Barrack.
Ambassador Ezekiel Gatkuoth was detained together with his Comrades on December 16th 2013 a day after a false Coup D’état’ was announced by President Kiir, and they were remained in detention until April 24th, 2014. Later on, 7 were released on bail, and the 4 remained in detention were dragged to Kiir’s Kangaroo court, charged with treason and many other charges, all carrying a death sentence as it was announced on South Sudan National TV by the current Government of South Sudan spoke person and Minister of Information Micheal Makuei Lueth. When asked what is going to happen to the arrested? “The charges carrying Life in prison, or a death by hanging” said, minister Lueth.
As we know what we know now, the whole world denounced there was no Coup D’état’ attempted by the SPLM/A leaders. An estimated 10,000 killed in Juba and other affected areas now estimated to be 50,000 killed, and 1.5 million of people internally and externally displaced. The world and the regional leaders have tried their best to restore peace and stability in the country by approaching the two warring parties to come to the table and result their differences. On January 23, 2014, cessation of hostilities was signed. Another document was signed on May 9, 2014 by President Kiir himself and Dr. Machar the leader of the SPLM/A-in opposition. But, President Kiir still expanding the war, attacking opposition positions in a hope that he will get a better deal in the negotiation table. Expanding the war is delaying tactics for Kiir and his regime to continue waging war which he is not going to win militarily. Kiir and his regime thinking that they are waging the war against the SPLM/A-In-Opposition but he is killing innocent civilians who are not interested in his pursued of senseless war.
As a community among South Sudanese Communities, we call on all peace loving South Sudanese communities as a group or individually to take the example that was taken by our Former Ambassador to the United States, Comrade Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth to join brothers and sisters in the SPLM/A-in Opposition and join hands to denounce President Kiir and ask him to step aside and give peace a chance. For question or concern, please contact below contact persons.
Faithfully Submitted,
Malual Community Technical Committee: