South Sudan denies marginalising minority tribes in government
May 18, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan has denied allegations that it is marginalising minority tribes in the government, asserting that those making such claims are individuals acting out of their own interests.
“It represents all the different faces of our communities. The voices talking about marginalisation are individuals wanting to satisfy their own interest not the interest of those they claim to represent”, he said.
Marial was reacting to claims by the Jonglei-based rebel leader, David Yau Yau, that he is fighting for the creation of an independent state for minority tribes in the region, claiming they have been sidelined at all levels.
In exclusive interview with Sudan Tribune on Friday, Yau Yau, who comes from the minority Murle tribe, said the rebel group was fighting for equality for all, including the press.
“Are you now free to write anything about the government? Some of you [journalists] are being killed because of telling our people what you should tell them. This is why you are afraid to talk about corruption, about tribalism, about the deliberate marginalisation of minority tribes in the country, especially in Jonglei”. Yau Yau said, in reference to restrictions on press freedoms in South Sudan.
“We are also fighting for good governance, respect for diversity, adherence to rule of law, respect for human dignity which actually is one of the core values for human rights and development, you name them”, Yau Yau said.
The rebel leader also claimed SPLM’s leadership had buried the values for which the decades-long north-South civil war was fought to win independence from neighbouring Sudan.
“We fought together but now there are people who think they fought the war alone and have decided to isolate others, especially the minority like Murle, the Anyuak, the Jie, and the Kachipo in Jonglei. The same thing is also happening in other states where there are minority tribes. The minority tribes do not have a voice at any level of government”, he said.
“We are fighting for our own freedoms, our rights and we will get it. We will get our own state where can we be represented at will … Our people will choose who they want [as elected representatives] not anybody else”, he added.
Marial has dismissed the assertions made by the rebel leader, saying he is fighting only for his own interests and those of the Murle community.
“I said before, the current government is inclusive. In fact, our people are now complaining that this government is big. They want it to be trimmed. They need small government so that financial resources can be used to support other developmental projects”, he said, adding that Yau Yau’s claims were incorrect and that he is fighting no genuine cause.
“He is fighting because he lost the [2010] election which is [in] his own interest. It does not represent the interest of the majority of the Murle community”. Marial said, describing Yau Yau “as one of those who do not want to see South Sudan emerging as stable, strong, prosperous and viable young nation because they have been overwhelmed with individual interests”.
Marial maintained the Murle community was well-represented in the SPLM, including a number who held sensitive positions.
“The under-secretary of our finance is a Murle. There is a minister at the cabinet level. They are also in the parliament represented in the state parliament and in the executive”, he added.
A former theology student, Yau Yau launched a rebellion against the SPLM after a failed bid to join state parliament in 2010 elections. He later accepted an amnesty offer by Kiir in 2011 to join the South Sudanese army (SPLA), only to rebel again in April 2012.
(ST)