Just how disorganised the Equatorian militias of South Sudan are
By Steve Paterno
February 9, 2015 – The current conflict in South Sudan is partial in a sense that a section of Nuer tribe predominantly leading the insurgency, with exception of few misfits from the other tribes joining hands in the rebellion against a constitutionally elected government. Among those few misfits in the ranks of the insurgency are individual characters from Equatoria, a place well known for its regional cohesion. Those few misfits include some with questionable past who served in government before, plus their lousy and loud voice supporters in Diaspora who are beating the drums of war, without actually contributing directly in the combat operations of revenge killing orchestrated by warlord Riek Machar.
It is an established fact that the current conflict in South Sudan has its origin as a result of power struggle within the ruling party, the SPLM. Ironically, Alfred Lado Gore who holds no prominent status in SPLM structural hierarchy gained the position of second in command in the rebel camp. Alfred Lado Gore who represents an Equatorian face in the militia camp is perhaps the last individual to add a facelift in portraying the rebellion as an all inclusive and diverse South Sudanese undertaking. A man with a notorious history of betrayal and disloyalty, Gore not only failed to win a gubernatorial post in his home state, but he miserably failed to secure even a bodyguard for his own protection when he decided to join the coup plotters in an effort to oust a constitutionally elected government and found no way to escape after the failed coup. That is a main reason why the Nuer militia commanders under the leadership of Riek Machar are questioning Gore’s contribution to their quest and cause of revenge killings through violence that Gore hardly is of any value.
Another Equatorian notoriously known for his defection and disloyalty for the cause of South Sudan is Martin Kenyi who recently defected in joining the rebellion. Just like Gore, Kenyi adds no value to the militias cause of revenge killings. All are now living comfortably in foreign capitals, with their thriving businesses running successfully in South Sudan–the businesses which are sustaining their living abroad in order to prolong the war for personal gains. Pagan Amum, a former Secretary General of SPLM and a militia dressed in coat is on a marathon tour in USA, begging to be given a second chance again to serve in a government he acknowledges to have failed. He is now courting the so called Equatorian Diaspora militias under his wing. He made a good point as to the economical damage the war they initiated caused the country, but yet, he must answer the question as to how the militia leaders who enjoy a livelihood abroad including himself, without any gainful employment are able to maintain themselves for that long and they keep refusing to signing peace agreement. Perhaps the jury is still out on that question.
Nevertheless, the damning evidence came on February seventh, when the loud beaters of the war drum Equatorian Diaspora hosted their militia leaders on a teleconference, namely, Pagan Amum, Alfred Lado Gore, and Martin Kenyi. Just like their disorganised and incompetent White Army, these Equatorian Diaspora militias can barely maintain a discussion of a substance. On opening their teleconference discussion, the organisers on the group insisted that the talks must be conducted in a Bari language. That was not only an insult to the sympathizers of the militias cause who are non Bari speakers, but it was rather nothing Equatorian or South Sudanese in nature, the people who take their pride in their diversities and languages–one people one nation. Not only that, the guests of the would be teleconference included non Bari speakers. Pagan Amum is a Chollo who neither understand or speak Bari language. Martin Kenyi, another militia guest is a Madi who never speaks a Bari language. As a result, the meeting had to be postponed given the high degree of tribalism displayed by the Equatorian militias under Alfred Lado Gore trabalistic wing. It is safe now to declare that the Equatorian militias are just handful of misfits who cannot even get their acts together, and their main overarching goal is tribal and personal gains, without any consideration for South Sudan as a nation of one people one nation.
Steve Paterno is the author of The Rev. Fr. Saturnino Lohure, A Romain Catholic Priest Turned Rebel. He can be reached at [email protected]