By Hon. Atem Duot Atem.
H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, the current president of the Republic of South Sudan. was born on the 13th of September, 1951, into a pastoral Dinka family in Akon village of the Awan-Chan Dinka Community, Gogrial District in Warrap state, Bahr-el-Ghazal Region of historical Sudan. He was the eighth of the family’s nine children—six boys and three girls.
He is biblically referred to as the Joshua of South Sudan by many Southerners before and after the demise of the SPLM/A chairman. President Kiir was the commanding officer, a captain in charge of the national army, at the Bentiu military garrison, when Chevron discovered oil in Unity state in 1978. Much as he wasn’t trusted anymore by the Khartoum regime at the time because of being a pro-southerners ( his patriotism to his southern part) and being an Ex-Anyanya officer, he was immediately transferred to Malakal, and northern troops under northern command were brought in, and placed in charge of the newly discovered southern oilfields.
In 1994, he survived a plane crash in Kapenguria, Kenya, a chartered plane he was traveling in from Wilson Airport, Nairobi, to Nimule fell from over 25,000 feet, killing all passengers including the pilot, except Salva Kiir and his bodyguard. He escaped unscathed, with only minor injuries to his arm. As president, he later survived a joint Egyptian-Sudanese assassination plot on his life, according to WikiLeaks Dossier. He is the only surviving founding member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). He has been described as the ‘Biblical Joshua’ who led his beleaguered people to the “Promised Land shortly after the rise and fall of Moses.” President Kiir is the only person who vigorously supports his country and also the only one prepared to defend his country against enemies or detractors. I am not ashamed to term him the “truest patriot” we have in this country. He is working tirelessly to stabilize the economy and willingly has an idea of taking town and service delivery to the people of South Sudan.
He never gets angry easily and always tries to find a peaceful solution to conflicts. He believes in the power of understanding and communication. Cde. Salva is a patient person and is always willing to give second chances. He is a great listener and always tries to understand other people’s points of view. Overall, Cde. Salva is a kind-hearted and forgiving person who values peace and harmony in his life and relationships.
President Salva Kiir and Dr. John Garang were close allies and colleagues in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) during the South Sudanese Civil War, he never attempted to betray Dr. John Garang. Salva Kiir served as a military Chief of Staff under Garang’s leadership and later became Deputy Commander-in-Chief. After Garang died in a helicopter crash in 2005, Salva Kiir became the President of the Government of Southern Sudan and later, the President of the Republic of South Sudan. Throughout his political career, Salva Kiir has expressed admiration and respect for Dr. John Garang’s contributions to the independence and development of South Sudan.
As a president of the Republic, Salva Kiir has emphasized the importance of serving the people of South Sudan and has pursued policies aimed at improving the people’s welfare. This includes initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, and economic development, among others. Nonetheless, Overall, it is comfortable to me to say that President Salva Kiir has expressed a commitment to serving the people of South Sudan, and the effectiveness of his policies and the level of success achieved in improving the welfare of his people.
Cde. Salva left the Malakal Army garrison together with his colleagues late Cde. Gen. Chagai Atem Biar, Maj. Gen. William Deng Garang Bany, Gen. Ajoung Makuei, and many colleagues in the Army during the rebellion against the Khartoum regime.
He was a key figure in the Sudan People’s liberation movement/ Army, and he played a crucial role in the movement, without him in the liberation struggle, the movement would not have been possible, he is a great deal to the country and that’s the reason why Dr. John Garang recognized that “they are the only two survived orphans of the SPLM “
I do not forget all the sacrifices of numerous sons and daughters of the soil who gave up their lives to free South Sudanese and to remain evergreen. I was not there but these gallant sons and daughters carried me with them through it. Until this day I still feel the pain and anguish they endured to death, yet I feel the joy and jubilee of a liberated soul. Through history and spiritual guidance, I feel like I have lived through both episodes of our nationhood. I am proud that we did it. We liberated our land, yet at the same time feel the bitterness of a tormented soul. But here we are today. Free as a dove, South Sudan is turning 12 years since her independence. I was not there on May 16th, 1983 to witness a great moment in history as the country that was formerly known as the Arab state, was baptized by the blood of the gallant fighters and christened South Sudan! The name South Sudan on its own speaks volumes about the country. South Sudan is derived from the word “the Sudd” which means the land of the strongest people. Sudd being the largest wetlands in Africa and second largest in the world serves as a giant filter that controls and normalizes the water quality. It also regulates flooding by acting as a giant sponge that absorbs excess water during periods of high water yield.
The land of the black people, named “Sudan” according to Parrotts of Egypt, means the land of black people” “a symbol of strength, endurance, and stability” Just like a house built of stone and on the mountain, South Sudan today remains unshakable under the leadership of H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, even in the face of numerous calamities both natural and man-made, we are still stronger. Over the years South Sudan has endured natural calamities such as senseless wars, floods, disease, and plagues. But through numerous trials and tribulations, South Sudan still emerged stronger and towering above like a beacon. We have weathered the storm. Man-made calamities including foreign aggression in the form of unjustified sanctions were designed to bring the nation to its knees yet, the enduring house of stone still stands!
It was the right choice for Cdr. Dr. John Garang De Mabior, choosing Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit was his successor to lead the people of South Sudan to the promised land. Late C.in.C, Dr. John declared Kiirdit’s nomination upon his return from being sworn in as the First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan in Khartoum and President of the Government of Southern Sudan in a public rally in Rumbek freedom squad and the presence of SPLM/A leadership. Sometimes, we are confused seeing very people who were part and parcel of this process turning their back on President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit as enemies as they did and they did not reject his appointments to lead the SPLM in the first place. These people are either celebrating the death of the great man Dr. John Garang or are not recognizing the significant role played by President Kiir Mayardit and the people of Bahr El Ghazal during and after the liberation! I suggest that some of these comrades be taken for medical attention. President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit must stay until he may do the same arrangements if need be.
Conclusively,
In July 2018 when I was the Chairman of the Upper Nile Region Youth Union, I met him in his office together with the leader of Bahr-el Ghazal’s youth and Equatoria Youth’s leader, he talk to us as very supportive of Youth employment and recognize potential of youth in the country.
May God bless the Republic of South Sudan and may God bless His Excellency, President, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit
Hon. Atem Duot Atem Mumnhom is a former Commissioner of Twic North County of Defunct 32 States.
Comrade Atem Duot is a true member of the SPLM ruling party and a proud South Sudanese, he can be reached through this contact: duotchok2017@gmail.com
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