What is SPLM-D.C. up to?

By Jacob Nul Mayendit

September 3, 2010 — On August 28, 2010, the Information Department of SPLM-DC angrily reacted to the press conference conducted by the Minister of Internal Affairs, GoSS on 26th August 2010 in Juba. The SPLM-D.C. is angered by some statements that they have quoted, one of which was the answer given by Gen. Kuol Dim to a question asked by a journalist after the presentation of Gen. Gier. The quoted statement, however, is a mixture of the words of the reporter and the answer that Gen. Kuol gave. I quote the following statement as quoted by SPLM-D.C.: “Gen Gier explained that the SPLA received a tip from peace-loving members of the national intelligence about the helicopter, its trip and cargo on the 7th August 2010. The information intimated that the helicopter would deliver weapons and food supplies to Gen Athor. The SPLA together with the JIU laid ambush and intercepted the plane on its return trip. The minister explained that the security forces did not intercept the plane on the first leg of the trip to let it pick the passengers who would provide more information and evidence of the motive of the sponsors.”

There are no words from Minister Gier in the above quotation, but the SPLM-D.C. did not even ask those who participated in the conference before they made argument of inconsistence between Minister Gier and Gen. Kuol. They quoted Gen. Kuol’s prior statement, as published by Al Hadath on August 12, 2010: “The units of SPLA Military Intelligence in charge of guarding the airport suspected the plane. When it was searched they found that it was carrying weapons, ammunition and nine military leaders of General Athor.” The SPLM-D.C. then asked, “Who do we believe, Gier Chuang or Kuol Deim, or none?”

That was a well-thought-out argument. However, what the SPLM-D.C. did not know is that both the statements they are using against each other belong to Gen. Kuol, even though words of the reporter are part of the former quotation. The argument of inconsistence would still be used against Gen. Kuol Dim, but he issued the last statement after he had received additional information on how the helicopter was captured.

Even if all the above statements were from Minister Gier, it would still be worth telling every South Sudanese that Minister Gier Chuang Aluong is not telling a lie about the capture of this mysterious plane. There were people captured with the helicopter and they gave the insiders’ information about the helicopter. However, there was no connection between SPLM-D.C. and the capture of helicopter.

SPLM-D.C. accused Major General Gier of being behind the rebellion of Gen. Athor in this statement: “Gier Chuang seems to hold a personal grudge against George Athor and some observers think he was a factor in his mutiny.” But the truth is that Minister Gier has not uttered any exaggeration in binding documents against Rtd Gen. Athor because he has spent a lot on developing Gen. Athor to be who he was during the liberation.

The Minister for Internal Affairs is in-charge of security and life of all South Sudanese. He has to discharge his duties as required by the Interim Constitution of South Sudan. What motivated me to respond to your statement is the way that you belittled Gen. Gier in the following statement: “The lies of this small minister become more glaring when he is quoted by the same GOSS website as follows:” then you quoted him. Is Gen. Gier really a “small” Minister?

I will be pleased if your department and Chairperson of SPLM-D.C. Dr. Lam Akol may share this message of mine. I believe that Dr. Akol personally knows who Maj. Gen. Gier Chuang was and even who he is now. Perhaps Dr. Akol may tell you how old Minister Gier is, leave the rest to history of liberation of South Sudan, played by him. Minister Gier does not only hold security ministry, but he is also determined to fight insecurity for the betterment of South Sudanese. I have never seen him as small and desperate as SPLM-DC is misusing their words.

If the accusation of SPLM-D.C. hiring the helicopter for ten hours to operate to and from Belewic, then the next question one should ask is why SPLM-D.C. one would baselessly connect SPLM-D.C. to violence and not any other political party in the South. This must raise a concern to every sound-minded citizen who has just joined your party for the sake of curiosity. An English proverb says,” curiosity kills a cat.”

All in all, I doubt the sincerity claimed by your leader Dr. Lam on several occasions. You think you can convince South Sudanese of your innocence in connection to violence, but it does not seem to work. You are bold enough to try to defend the NCP about the captured plane, but the plane and captives are now in the hands of Minister Gier Chuang and Gen. Kuol Diem. Who do you want to believe? If not all, then believe none of the above liberators. The referendum is the end result for what has claimed more than million lives of South Sudanese. Any political party, individual, or organization that undermines this historical effort has compromised our common goals as Black Sudanese, but history will not forgive them.

The author is who is based in Juba can be reached at [email protected]