Machar Versus Kiir: Two dangerous enemies who can’t work together

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Machar Versus Kiir: Two dangerous enemies who can’t work together
Jan. 17 Politics, Uncategorized 1 comment
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By Michael Abraha, Kenya, JAN/17/2017, SSN;

We know Pres Kiir and Dr. Machar are not only political opponents but
dangerous enemies who have no heart for each other. The reality is
that their self-serving rivalry has cost South Sudan so much bloodshed
and the nation is at a stand still because neither side is willing or
able to play a fair political game.

I believe it was wrong, ab initio (from the beginning), for these two
ambitious men to try to work together as president and Vice President.

Machar should learn from Kenya’s Raila Odinga and be only an
opposition leader without any portfolio. This would give him ample
time to articulate inclusive ideas and policy agendas with the
forthcoming elections in mind.

Meantime, some of his SPLA/IO members should be allowed to serve in
the various branches of the interim administration under Kiir.

Given the current hostile environment, Machar and his party should be
given full security guarantees. And there are many ways he and his
organization meet their financial needs.

Equally crucial in this equation is for Kiir to try to emerge as a
renewed statesman devoting more of his time and energy to the task of
healing and unifying the nation. No external force can bring peace and
unity for S. Sudan.

He can achieve statesmanship of the Mandela stature if he can convince
himself and his ardent supporters that their economic benefits and
privileges cannot be permanent and may have to be sacrificed for the
sake of the nation.

Finally, Kiir and Machar should realize there can be no South Sudan
without the Nuers or without the Dinkas. Ethnic violence is a shame in
the 21st century.
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