Nine S. Sudanese officials abandon rebel movement
September 22, 2014 (JUBA) – At least nine South Sudanese officials who were members of the country’s rebel faction led by former vice-president Riek Machar surrendered to the government on Monday, accusing the opposition of pursuing “personal ambitions”.
Lur, a MP representing Maiwut county in Upper Nile, told reporters that their decision to abandon rebellion and join government was to ensure peace and stability returned to the world’s youngest nation.
He lauded president Salva Kiir and his government for their tireless commitments to bring peace to the country hit by the conflict, which has killed thousands and displaced about 1.5 million civilians.
“Because of his [Kiir] honesty and the desire to bring peace to our country through peaceful mean, I and my colleagues here decided to return to the government and today I have come with high intellectual delegates from Eastern Jikany counties,” said Lur.
“These people come [from] different sections and clans from eastern Jikany, whose people have been used by Riek Machar to fight his way to become the president,” he added, while stressing the country’s ongoing rebellion could only be resolved through peaceful dialogue and not armed struggle.
“Peace can be achieved through dialogue and reconciliation,” he said, accusing those in opposition of extensively dividing the country.
“They don’t have any vision and programs for our country and that is why I came back to work for peace,” Lur said.
The former minister vowed to work for peace to allow development for the nation, claiming he abandoned Machar and his group because of “lack of vision and good programs” for challenging the president.
The official further claimed he was forced into rebellion for fear that he would be killed during the intensity of the conflict in Upper Nile.
“During the crisis people were running for their lives because one did not know who could be the enemy to kill. So people were running for their safety,” said Lur.
Upper Nile’s information minister, Peter Hoth Tuach, who received the group, praised their decision to abandon the rebellion.
“On behalf of the government of Upper Nile state, I would like to inform the public and the mass media that the return of Upper Nile state’s citizens to their beloved country is not a threat to peace. It is a positive sign of respond to peaceful settlement of this conflict,” said Tuach.
“This is the most significant development towards achieving a durable peace and nation-building which has been on the lips of our leaders, citizens, friends of South Sudan, the international community, as well as peace lovers around the globe,” he said.
(ST)