S. Sudan rebels welcome defection of youth leader
March 29, 2015 (JUBA) – The youth leadership of South Sudan’s armed opposition have welcomed the recent defection into rebellion of Agel Ring Machar, a top youth leader.
The youth leader, who hitherto chaired all political parties’ youth groupings in the young nation, said there was need for total overhaul of the system in Juba through a revolution.
Peter Mabior Riiny, the deputy chairman of the armed opposition youth league, described Agel’s defection as a “historic and strategic” decision, which should be emulated by other youth in the country for democratic reform agenda to be achieved.
“I am taking this particular opportunity to welcome Agel into SPLM/IO. Agel has taken historic and strategic decision to join the struggle at the right time. The regime is rotten and those still leaning on it would soon regret soon,” Riiny said in a statement.
He called upon the youth fraternity in the country to join the armed opposition struggle.
“The country has been hijacked by looters and those who have no country at heart. It therefore remains our core responsibility to change the events of our country and the time is now. I hope more youth who are dissatisfied with ailing regime will follow footstep of Agel. Agel remains one of our courageous youth to have taken this heroic decision,” he added.
Riing directly rallied youth from Greater Bahr el Ghazal region to join rebellion, alleging president Salva Kiir’s regime had nothing new to offer the population especially youth.
“Many youth in the country have lost direction due to misleading character of South Sudan leaders. Our movement offers them the best opportunity to grow and to embrace diversity. And we cannot do it if the status quo is not changed,” he said.
(ST)