africatodayonline.blogspot.com -
I highly appreciate efforts by regional leaders aimed at restoring peace and stability in South Sudan. But rather than blame Riek Machar, Rebecca Garang, and a few other individuals for this mayhem, the leaders ought to carefully scrutinise president Salva Kiir’s style of leadership.
In 2011, rebel leader Lt Gen Gatluak Gai was successfully integrated into SPLM after talks that were initiated by Unity State Governor Taban Deng.
In the same year, he was purportedly gunned down by his deputy Marko Chuol Ruei, who accused him of attempting to break the agreement. Gabriel Tong, another rebel leader, was incarcerated after laying down his arms. George Athor, a rebel leader in Unity State, was killed under mysterious circumstances even when he had sought dialogue. Gen Peter Gadet, a former SPLA officer, is among those who have endured persecution to date.
In this kind of situation, I would expect Kiir to restrain from attacking his opponents politically but for once accept to dialogue wholeheartedly.
Dedan Kimathi Kanyoro, Kampala
