By Mekonen Tefere
Addis Ababa, March 6, 2015 (SSNA) — In an interview today, March 6, 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Peace Ambassador Gatwech Koak Nyuon said that he received more than sixty telephone calls from unknown numbers inside and outside Ethiopia in which five calls were seriously threatening to his life.
Nyuon started receiving threatening phone calls after he called on South Sudan’s main rivals who are now engaging in peace negotiations in Addis Ababa to respect the 5th of March deadline which was originally set by IGAD.
Gatwech who was last year named as Peace Ambassador by Ethiopian Church admitted that he would never give-up to call for peace for his young nation.
“I know this happened many times to Mr. Deng Athuai, the Chairperson of South Sudan’s Civil Society Alliance and I’m not surprise to receive more threatening calls from enemy [ies] of peace, why not billions of threatening calls,” Gatwech said.
In his personal statement published on paanluelwel and wangdunkon media blogs on March 4, 2015, Gatwech calls on both leaders to respect the deadline.
His statement partly read, “I’m not sure, but I believe neither Riek’s nor Kiir’s sons are fighting in front-line,” a statement he refers to slow pace of peace in South Sudan.
South Sudan has also been known for its records on Human Rights abuse, restriction of Journalists, and Activists from freedom of movement and speech.
Gatwech appreciates the roles played by local and international media for publishing some positive reports toward nation building. He also urges the media houses to act responsively as gear of change and distance themselves from tribal politics.
“I know this is not happening to me alone, it’s happening to all Activists and Journalists all over the World. I will continue working with media to deliver message of peace. Those who hear will hear and those who always threatening will keep threatening but we will defeat them,” he added.
Peace Ambassador repeatedly urges the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan to release the report on atrocities committed by warring factions and appeal to South Sudan’s leaders to put the nation’s interest above their owns. Gatwech further reveals that he is very disappointed to see women and children suffering.