If I were Dr. Riek Machar Teny By Cde. Sirir Gabriel Yiei Rut

If there is anything we should learn from the recent purges within its leadership ranks, it is that most SPLM-Juba leaders are actually tired of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and, like most of us, would like to see him go. What they have lacked are the scruples to unite and dismiss him.
And so it turns out that we have been right all this time that Salva Kiir has been and remains the stumbling block on South Sudan’s progress. Even his minions, in surprisingly considerable numbers, no longer believe that he is relevant to the South Sudan we want to create.
The public display of tantrums which we have seen from Chief of staff and defense Minister should indicate to us the frustration of the Royal Family on their comprehension that they no longer have the full support of all within the SPLM-Juba leadership.
President Kiir will never deliver the South Sudan that we desperately want, including the South Sudan that those who legitimately fought in the struggle sought to achieve.
I am glad that this has now been revealed because for years, we have been saying that South Sudan’s potential can never be fully realized through a dictatorship. Kiir is incapable and remains in the past. He can no longer lead us in creating the future we desperately desire.
What Salva Kiir has done is to use his tribesmen, in order to flush out those who desire a leadership renewal, but this does not change the reality that it is time for him to go. The impulsive reaction of purging of his underlings will likely expedite his exit.
How exhilarating!
Let me be clear: I do not subscribe to the value system of SPLM-Juba and I have no respect for those who do. So in my view, all those who are now being purged are not innocent spectators or victims.
They have been complicit in supporting and benefiting from this tyranny while participating in the destruction of our country and it’s potential. They chose personal gain at the expense of national interest. Let them reap their harvest of sorrows.
All this must surely present a unique opportunity for our opposition political parties. However, I fear that they are not doing enough. It is time for the audacity of hope.
In my opinion, the SPLM- IO, despite their purported inadequacies, must now take the driver’s seat and lead.
If I were SPLM -IO leader Dr. Riek Machar, I would certainly now consolidate and take a higher ground by being a unifying force of all democratic movements so that we may at last expunge the dictator once and for all.
This coming-together of democratic forces, in my view, cannot be conditional nor can it be based on egos, but must be based on putting South Sudan first. I would advise that Machar Teny Dhuorgon goes all out to motivate all and sundry and be the selfless leader he claims to be; a leader who realizes that this is no time for grudges.
If I were in his position, I would call an immediate conference for change that attracts all South Sudanese to collectively demand the immediate stepping down of Salva Kiirand the take-over of the country’s affairs by an interim inclusive body so that we may arrest the decline and save South Sudan. We must move towards reforms and ultimately towards free and fair elections as soon as possible.
In this effort, I would ensure that nobody is left behind especially the moderates within SPLM-Juba, the army, the police and civic organizations including legitimate churches that see the rot in SPLM-Juba and would fully support a people-driven change agenda that must be implemented now.
This is no time for endless Press conferences that achieve little, but it is time to act in an inclusive and non-partisan manner.
If I were in Dr. Riek’s position, I would definitely mobilize for mass action where all South Sudanese, regardless of political affiliation, must for once make the bold statement that enough is enough and Salva Kiir must stand down.
This action must include all South Sudanese, including our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. Let January 2015 be the month of regime change led by South Sudanese.
I conjecture that were the opinion otherwise, I have no doubt the same minions would have rushed to claim victory and vindicate the dictator as legitimate. We must ignore their simple exuberant minds.
I think that Dr. Riek Machar must take this opportunity to motivate and encourage the masses and all opposition parties for a final push that will see the fall of the dictator who now has little support even within his ranks.
The emperor is naked.
Salva Kiir will not willingly go. If we sit by and dither, hoping for better times to come, we shall soon see Madam Ayiandit in State House as the President of the Republic of South Sudan; God forbid.
My message to Dr. Riek Machar is, therefore, that SPLM -Juba, as we know it, is dead and if there is any opportunity to act decisively and shape a better future for South Sudan, it is now.
Let those who have ears hear.
Sirir Gabriel Yiei Rut is Chairman of SPLM-Youth League in Egypt; you can get him through his email: mailto:[email protected]@gmail.com or mailto:[email protected]@gmail.com

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