South Sudan president denies turning army into tribal institution

[Elisabeth Janaina]

South Sudan president denies turning army into tribal institution

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February 12, 2017 (JUBA)- South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Sunday
dismissed charges that he and the SPLA chief of General Staff Paul
Malong Awan have turned the national army into a tribal institution.

JPEG - 12.9 kb
President Salva Kiir speaks during the inauguration of the new SPLM
premises in Juba on 15 November 2013 (Photo Moses Lomayat)

“There are people when they are with the government and in the army,
appreciate the work of the SPLA but when they go, they say it is a
tribal army. When has SPLA become my army and when it has become a
tribal army,” asked president in a meeting on Sunday.

The president made the remarks on Sunday at his residence in which he
met and held a usual informal meeting with some prominent members of
the Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders.

A deputy chief of South Sudan army, General Thomas Cirilo, on Friday
10 February resigned from the army and accused President Salva Kiir
and military leadership of spearheading a tribal agenda.

Cirilo further accused the He the duo (Kiir and Awan) of "deliberately
orchestrated planned violations" of the August 2015 peace agreement"
which led to fighting in Juba in July last year. He also accused them
of targeting non-Dinka tribes, pointing to the ongoing violence in the
Equatoria and Upper Nile regions.

The head of state attributed the dominance of his ethnic group to lack
of people wanting to join military, citing the 2012 national
mobilization when the army wanted recruits.

“When people are not ready to join the army and others accepted to
volunteer, is it me or the chief of general staff who stopped them
from joining”, asked Kiir. “If some people want to go, they are free
to go but they should not make claims which are not true”.

Kiir said he was not surprised about people leaving the SPLA (Sudan
People’s Liberation Army) because it was allegedly not the first time
it was being left. “How many times have people left the SPLA and did
the same people not come back,” asked president?

(ST)

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13 February 01:41, by Kush Natives

Don’t worry Mr. President Salva Kiir! We’re behind You, you made a
true point that the recruitment process and mobilization or transcript
is a collectively responsibility of the civil populations in which
inhabited the country, but if some folks turns down the call and later
on trying make it a pure lie saying that the army is dominated by one
tribe. That doesn’t concern is at all! The recruitment

repondre message
13 February 01:49, by Kush Natives

If we South Sudanese don’t start telling the truth now not
later, then death is not yet far from leaving us. If people are proud
of creating what’s called MENs, white army, A role boys, Agwelek,
Cobra Faction and the recent Tiger Faction in West Nile______. Can
anybody answer my question here?

repondre message
13 February 01:51, by Kush Natives

I mean, MTNs and Arrow boys!

repondre message
13 February 10:32, by ngadodo

Kush Natives, You Talks about Claim of violations of
peace 2015, it’s indeed true if you denied what about Mathiang anyor,
coming from if it is not true allegations Against Pdr Salva Kiir
leaderships, his made the Tribal Agenda for recruiting Malia and with
Pual Malong as has been turned to tribal militia, it is clearly
Mathiang anyor are one who becomes tribal militia in the Country.

repondre message
13 February 10:20, by Nuer is the Same Like Isreal People to God.

Haha Salva Kiir is denied is nonsense word, dear Criminal
Alcoholic, Genocide President Salva , please we are not Primitive
people here , in South Sudan; we know very well that, your Military,
including all party of your Troops are Tribals tribes,;if not possibe
, you have to desolving all Mathiang anyoor, Koonybaany, Gelwaby,
Special Body guards in the office of President and all security
persona

repondre message
13 February 13:47, by Brigadier Pato

Victory for SPLA is always possible. Call him whatever
names, but, most of you will meet your creator soon. Cirilo won’t make
any impact in the SPLA service.

repondre message
13 February 02:56, by Chong Thow

No doubt about that. It is a tribal army. For example,
Mathiang anyor they are coming from their tribe. Verybodies is know
about it. What the hell he says is not a tribal army?

repondre message
13 February 04:09, by Kush Natives

Chong Thow,
Now you acknowledge that Mathiang Anyoor defeated you? Why
always used to lie to the whole world that, JEM, SPLA-N and Ugandan
armies were the problem? What a shame! Better to talk peace now,
because Mathiang Anyoor isn’t going nowhere.

repondre message
13 February 05:15, by Joyuma John

Tribal, army always fill position of defectors, Thomas has
gone and his position is going to be filled whose mistake is that?
Mathiang Anyoor has filled position of division 8 and 4 who have
defected to Riek whose problem is that again ? Ya, 63 tribes of South
Sudan do not cries u are defeated by Dinka because of u not be
nationalists,you people always destroy and Dinka fixed, count the
history

repondre message
13 February 07:41, by hamil

Joyuma John,

What exactly have you fixed? Your leaders virtually broke
everything don’t tell us that there is no division among the Jeing.
The decent Jieng of Bor are against the way Kiir and Malong are
damaging their image. Instead of hating the people of Aweil and
Warrap, the 63 tribes have resorted to hating any Dinka. SPLA army has
no Dinka Bor there are just few handfuls why is this so?

repondre message
13 February 07:27, by hamil

Kush Native

I have a cousin who has served in the SPLA for nearly 20
years, he is now in the national security service during the recent
fighting in July they were taken to an ammunition store and guns were
only given to Dinka soldiers none Dinka were not given guns now what
do you call this? Was it not a tribal mentality in the army. Some of
you idiots hate plain facts you hate to hear the truth

repondre message
13 February 08:01, by Kush Natives

hamil,
Have you disagreed with him then? Since he was doing the
right thing. We needs to be straight here, when educating the public
for the fact please! Those who were denied were the rebels right? Will
disagreed more with me on this too? Did you want him to distribute
ammunition and guns to whoever shown up in the store or what are you
driving me into here?

repondre message
13 February 12:00, by jengelon

Koos
I hate to be the 1st to tell you that the VP Wani Iga
is next to resign & will be followed by the rest of the Equatorians
you can imagine the gaps been filled the !!!! Bra Thomas was the only
hi/ranking Equatorian in the army now what do you call that sure not
tribalism God help you jenge

repondre message
13 February 13:05, by hamil

Kush Natives

You have not understood my reply to your comment I
thought it is plain and clear....Those guns were being given out to
the army to go and face the rebels but, they were given out
selectively where only Dinka got guns and none Dinka got guns. I hope
this has sunk into your head now

repondre message
13 February 09:41, by Sadam Kuikoy

What name do you think should be given to Mathiang-anyor or
Dot-Kubeny rather than tribal army?

repondre message
13 February 12:24, by Wed-wau

Yes, you are behind president because you are Danka.why other
refused to join army? Simple answer: because you president are killing
their people. Doesn’t need genius to figure it out.

repondre message
13 February 01:56, by john akeen

Mr. President there is some military commanders in SS they don’t
know how to work like somebody important in the country and they don’t
know what is the meaning of the important job in the country, Mr.
president you need to look for the people that who can do their job
and to look into what the nations want him to do for them, not a
commander that who is looking into the tribes of SS.

repondre message
13 February 02:58, by john akeen

because if this people aren’t a tribalism’s peoples or
cannibalism’s peoples, why they have to come out to the public’s with
that tribalism’s speech or that typically of hate speech? a leader
should resign from public’s office with respect speech and he/she
should think the people that he/she have served him/her during his
time in the office and should thank his co-workers that who helped him

repondre message
13 February 03:30, by Paul Ongee

Since this is an isolated case, appoint another General to
replace him and move forward with the National Dialogue. The time for
senseless bloodshed for positions is almost over unless the enemies of
peace force SPLA to meet in the war theater again and see who’s going
to win. Of course, it’s not the first time for Generals to defect back
& forth.

repondre message
13 February 03:39, by Paul Ongee

The very SPLA that has fought vigorously for the freedom
of marginalized masses is still prevailing and protecting the citizens
of the Republic of South Sudan. Generals come and go but SPLA remains
even stronger than before because resignation or defection of Generals
from SPLA is self-screening process of identifying the true Generals
and patriotism.

repondre message
13 February 03:50, by Paul Ongee

When SPLA started in 1983 every individuals from every
ethnic group joined the popular movement voluntarily, not
democratically formed as criticized by the enemies of peace. Was Nasir
Faction democratic? No. Why did it fail to achieve its perceived
democratic institutionalization. Did the current IO-Riek Machar & Lam
Akol achieve that? No. Why? Because of their poor political record.

repondre message
13 February 04:08, by Paul Ongee

Now the enemies of peace including old and new
defected generals and fake politicians across the country are
struggling to inform the South Sudanese nationals in world’s capitals
that SPLA/M is not democratic but their daydreaming movements are
democratic. I have no idea if their perceived movements are
registering supporters on ethnic equal basis, with equal number of
employment opportunities.

repondre message
13 February 04:18, by Paul Ongee

What I essentially know is that they’ve more
ignorant Internet supporters than supporters on the ground who have no
single room for making military or political progress. That’s why they
resorted to creating their website to inform the world that they are
more democratic than SPLM/A. The question is "Does their movement
include all the 64 tribes on equal basis that SPLM/A has already
achieved? No.

repondre message
13 February 04:28, by Paul Ongee

Since they’re not inclusive as they often
sing on the media, why should we worry about their daydreaming
military and political achievement which is intended to garner more
financial support to stay in luxurious hotels and shuttle across the
regional, African and international capitals? UN must be ready
financially to feed the next influx of refugees fleeing RSS or support
peace effort effectively

repondre message
13 February 04:51, by Paul Ongee

The IO-Riek & Lam Akol Internet
supporters r struggling to raise funds for de upkeep of fake
politicians & supporters accommodated in luxurious hotels but fail to
make any progress on the ground (front lines) because they’re busy
clocking in-and-out to make the ends meet - pay their bills. The
gov’t. should inform de world about peace effort, not to imitate IO’s
strategy of structured propaganda.

repondre message
13 February 05:48, by jubaone

Paul Ongee,
If your argument about the non-inclusivity
of jienge in the other tribal opposition forces: Agwelek, Cobra, White
Army etc. is to justify jienge dominance of the SPLA, then one thing
is clear, each tribe must form it´s own armies and defend their
territory. The SS must be destroyed and each ethnicities take care of
itself and so MUST Equatoria do so, period!

repondre message
13 February 07:08, by wacjak

Jubaone! If the SPLA is tribally
oriented, how did Gen. Swaka rise to the highest rank and position?
How about the others? South Sudan can never be destroyed as long as it
is in the hands of Jieeng people. Why are you now saying each
ethnicity must form its own army and all along you have been claiming
to have one in Equatoria? Are you defending which territory from who?
Just stay in the camp.

repondre message
13 February 07:38, by jubaone

Wacjak Wasak,
Well, if the SPLA is a jienge
army, the Murles have the Cobra, the Nuer the White Army or whatever,
it is natural that the Equatorians forms theirs too. Call it the
Equatoria Corps (EC) or Equatoria Defence League (EDL) that will
defend the interests of Equatorians. Afterall, jienges just as the
rest can also fight. Note, jienges cant freely move around anymore in
Equatoria..

repondre message
13 February 07:44, by jubaone

..and the fight is gaining
momentum as you get squeezed. Try to ride of Juba today as MTN and
pray to reach Nimule, Yei or Torit safely. You are done! I urge you to
start packing your jienge baggages and head home. This time around, it
is going to be different. Read other media outlets: nyamile.com,
southsudanliberty.com etc.. and you know this is no longer jienge
business as usual

repondre message
13 February 09:12, by PEACE FOR ALL

there are 64 tribes in South
Sudan, but now I am seeing people are about Dinka, Nuer, Shiluk and
Equatoria. Do we have 4 tribes? No, we have 64 tribes. this is my
observation. Now internet war mongers make all Equatorians 1 tribe.
South Sudan is divided into three region: Upper, Bar el gazal and
Equatoria regions. these sisterly regions are the ones forms South
Sudan. who is now dividing into

repondre message
13 February 09:21, by PEACE FOR ALL

his/her own tribes, Dinka,
Nuer and Equatoria. This is totally wrong. if you want to talk about
64 tribes, tells their names one by but don’t talk something you don’t
know. when you are talking of Dinka, Nuer, Equatoria and Shiluk, you
are the division and cause of this useless war because you are
marginalizing the other tribes and there is no democracy you are
talking. PEACE for ALL

repondre message
13 February 09:57, by jubaone

Peace for All,
Equatoria is a nation by
itself and NOT a tribe. Many tribes in Equatoria have coexisted and
lived very peacefully with each other until the coming of "these
things" from BHG or Upper Nile. Equatoria CAN and WILL live without
the rest that´s for sure. It does NOT Need any of them at all to
survive. The only solution is KOKORA and Kiir+jienges must be thrown
out period!

repondre message
13 February 14:35, by Nationalist

Public Notice
Equatoria is not a tribe
and it will never be a tribe whatsoever case, but it is a region with
several tribes and its citizens have a common agendum of love, peace,
and prosperous development for all. SS will never develop if we
continue to affiliate and compare other tribes to Equatoria

repondre message
13 February 02:14, by Kush Natives

Mr. president I am so sorry for the people of RoSS that they
undermined your efforts that you have tirelessly wasted your an energy
trying to show them on how democracy works! I am personally urging you
to reverse your way of governing in RoSS. Marshal laws is the only way
forward in case of South Sudan! There’s no another way around to
stabilized the security destabilization in the country.

repondre message
13 February 07:50, by hamil

Kush Native

Did you just say DEMOCRACY? Oh please spit that dummy and just
shut up. What do you know about Democracy? Which democracy does not
condone criticism? A healthy democracy must thrive amidst fierce
criticism but it is the opposite in South Sudan. Once you say
something criticizing the President the NS are on your tail. Cut your
crap buddy

repondre message
13 February 08:22, by Kush Natives

Hamail,
your mentality is out of reach, meaning, you will regret
soon or later, like if Kiir still in power! Kiir himself is serving
this country as a Bishop, not even close to qualified as a president.
Time is coming for a marshal law. Mistaken me on this, and you will
comment here mentioning my name sooner or later sir. We’re tired of
none stop crazy ideal of rebellions in the country.
thanks,

repondre message
13 February 13:11, by hamil

Kush Native

Once again I am asking you to cut your crap. Nobody is
afraid of anyone in South Sudan anymore people die once not twice and
if death comes it is not the likes of me perishing alone but your kind
will also perish. Do I make myself clear?

repondre message
13 February 02:22, by Dinka-Defender-General

You are definitely right Mr. P. Kiir. Remember how many tribes
fought against SPLA soldiers during the civil war that led us to our
independent? Many tribes. Thus, don’t worry about these self-serving
generals or politicians. Let them go. They will back later.
Furthermore, there are many loyal generals who are committing to
protect the country territories and peoples.

repondre message
13 February 04:26, by Akook

Tribal mindset won’t help South Sudan!! Let us admit facts.

Mr president, you and Malong Awan can not conspire recruit
Mathiang Anyor amid protest from the national army and illegally
funded the militia through presidency.

You finally plotted a coup against once rich and promising
young nation using your militia and dashed away hopes of all South
Sudanese people including Dinka. What a nation!

repondre message
13 February 07:58, by hamil

AkooK

Well said MATHIANG ANYOOR is a Project it was designed
with an an objective at the back of the minds of the JCE, Kiiir and
Malong. This is not a National army, a national army doesn’t go from
house to house pulling out innocent Nuer civilians and planting
bullets in their heads. Now is their reality check they are dying and
Malong has resorted to recruiting child soldiers of 13 - 14 years.

repondre message
13 February 05:54, by jubaone

Jienge Defender General,
Whether the SPLA is a jienge based army is completely
irrelevant. What other SS people need is forming tribal based armies
as well. When all are armed and ready to defend their territories
without being bullied around, then real business will start. Gen.
Cirillo and other Equatorians MUST move on to form their own. No Need
to lament. Jienges can fight so do the rest.

repondre message
13 February 05:56, by Fair Man

Akook
You are right, James Hoth Mai, was not invited to attend the first
batch 3,000 Anyoors trained in Luri in early, 2013 and absorbed into
China. SPLA GHQs does not control Anyoors and Kiir’s Tiger. These will
be future rebels once Kiir is ejected. Their weapons are procured
fraudulently through Presidency but Kiir and Malong will pay for this.
Including a possibility of being buried outside.

repondre message
13 February 06:13, by Fair Man

Continuation..Akook
These forces were absorbed into Tiger and their weapons either
come from China or Russia as their negate their feet on arms embargo
at the UN resolution. I don’t see anything good from these two
countries. Anyone who sells you arms encourage you to fight. Tellar
Ring is doing his dirty job in Russia

repondre message
13 February 13:40, by jubaone

Fair Man,
We have Information on:
1-Close to 4,000 MAs have had Chinese military training since
2012-15 in Luri/Juba
2. Arms have been provided by both Russian and Chinese
communists through SS Embassy in Russia. Amb. Telar Ring has been very
influential.
3. Egypt and now Morocco want to expand arabism and islamism
and at worst anarchy in SS and the JEC has acted as a lobbying body.

repondre message
13 February 13:46, by jubaone

5. Russian and Chinese communists have often vetoed
against imposition of arms Embargo against SS and that will continue.
6. Close to 350 MAs have been sent to China between
2013-2015 for professional military Training.
7. All helicopter gunships are piloted and technically
manned by East Europeans (former communists) from Ukraine, Bulgaria.

repondre message
13 February 06:40, by Eastern

Kiir-Taban alliance is INCONSEQUENTIAL!!!! Whatever Kiir says or
denies is one and same - INCONSEQUENTIAL.....

repondre message
13 February 07:09, by hamil

A new batch of Child Soldiers was secretly brought to Juba by Kiir
and Malong and deployed on Yei road. These boys are between the age
groups of 12, 13 and 14. Some of them could barely carry their guns it
seems some Warrap and Aweil youth have come back to their senses they
realized there is no benefit in this war, they are brought to Juba to
be dumped and not taken care of

repondre message
13 February 07:14, by hamil

I hope the current youth "Mathiang Anyoor" who serve Malong with
no benefits act as the voice of their next generations, Malong’s
training camps in Bar-el-Ghazal are littered with young boys who could
become the next victims of slaughter in this war the grown up youths
have deserted and refused to play their part in this war.

repondre message
13 February 08:13, by john akeen

There is nothing call mathiang anyoor in south sudan, aLloyd
soldiers belong to the national army in South Sudan even IO they all
belong to the government of south sudan, but what is going on between
this militarysite is misunderstanding, but they will fix their
mistakes soon

repondre message
13 February 07:19, by hamil

Parents should also not allow their children who could be the
future leaders to be lured into this nonsensical war by Kiir and
Malong Many lost their lives and I wonder if their parents know
whether they are dead or alive. Too many were murdered in July and
others crashed in the bushes of Equatoria. If UNMISS is not aware
about the presence of child soldiers on Yei road, I am the whistle
blower.

repondre message
13 February 07:46, by john akeen

Being a leader is not an easy thing to be a member of the
government is not easy because if you got lucky and they offer you
job, you got to know that there is a lot of things to do and also
there is some difficulty that you need to work on it, there. Not just
because you got some stars offer your sholder means you know something

repondre message
13 February 08:43, by may patrick

Dirty mind ,mr Thomas you have been working with SPLA you mean you
didn,t know it was tribal government ? by the way i may i agree with
mr president that ,There are people when they are with the government
and in the army, appreciate the work of the SPLA but when they go,
they say it is a tribal army. Those are who benefit on innocent blood
,you have been looting ,killing and raping innocent

repondre message
13 February 15:25, by Fair Man

John Akeen
Fuck you. The difficult thing is killing your fellow innocent
South Sudanese, on their ethnicity. Dinka civilians are innocent but
Army Generals who died in ambushed are brushed as professors. Take
recent Pope Ajith Akuei, who met his hell along Nimule -Juba road,
stupid Jienges claimed him a professor to justify targeting innocent
civilians but he deserved this since he is a General.