By Santino Riak Maker
In an undated “open letter to the Gogrial community,” Tearz Ayuen endeavors to justify Michael Makuei’s corruption by making unscrupulous appeals to sub-regional loyalty. His letter, brimming with artificial humor and empty rhetoric, deflects from the central issue of corruption while affronting the intelligence of South Sudanese citizens.
Tearz’s attempt to mobilize the people of Gogrial to support Makuei is not just irresponsible, it is also cunning in a Machiavellian way. Through the use of President Kiir’s regional background, he seeks to coerce Gogrial Community into endorsing Makuei’s unethical conduct. Kiir’s position as the president of the entire nation amplifies his significance beyond being a mere symbolic leader for Gogrial. His legacy carries national significance rather than being limited to a regional context.
The claim that Gogrial must defend Kiir’s legacy holds no merit. The intention is to attribute blame for Makuei’s misconduct to Gogrial. It is not only the people of Gogrial but also the entire population of South Sudan who are responsible for preserving the president’s legacy, and this can only be achieved through accountability and good governance, not by concealing corrupt practices as reflected in Michael Makuei’s deeds.
Tearz goes even further in distorting reality by presenting political assailants like Gen. Paul Malong Awan and Pagan Amum as devoted brothers to Kiir, insinuating that their actions are motivated by their desire to protect the president.
Both Malong and Pagan have publicly plotted against President Kiir, with Malong even authoring a letter on June 2, 2018, wherein he issued a threat to reveal the president’s confidential information.Pagan Amum has escalated matters by publicly derogating President Kiir in the presence of foreign dignitaries, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. These actions demonstrate a lack of loyalty typically associated with brothers.Without a doubt, Malong and Pagan have made it evident that they aim to overthrow Kiir’s government. Kiir possesses full knowledge of these threats, rendering Tearz’s endeavor to portray them as benevolent individuals safeguarding the president ludicrous. Their actions can be seen as deliberate tactics aimed at undermining both Kiir’s legacy and the state itself.
The primary motive behind Tearz’s letter is to divert focus from the actual problem at hand, which is Michael Makuei’s pervasive corruption. Throughout the years, Makuei’s irresponsible conduct has significantly damaged South Sudan’s reputation domestically and internationally. Due to his mismanagement and irresponsible public statements, the country has been repeatedly placed in precarious situations, such as the infamous Vivacell case.
It is laughable to suggest that defending Makuei’s corruption is a way to maintain Kiir’s legacy. By engaging in corruption, Makuei not only erodes Kiir’s leadership credibility but also invites international scrutiny. By comparing Makuei to Adok, Tearz reveals a clear lack of judgment, as Adok is an exemplary civil servant who positively impacts the country. Tearz’s skewed loyalty become apparent through his support of Makuei and concurrent condemnation of honest civil servants such as Adok. Tearz’s defense of Makuei’s corruption goes beyond being misleading; it is a dangerous stance. The foundation of South Sudan’s future cannot rely on protecting corrupt officials using loyalty as an excuse. South Sudan requires a form of leadership that values accountability and integrity. The deceptive arguments employed by Tearz, with the intention of diverting attention away from Makuei’s transgressions, only serve to reinforce the immediate requirement for transparency and justice. The actions of Michael Makuei, marked by corruption, have had a profound negative impact on South Sudan, and no amount of verbal acrobatics by Tearz can conceal this reality. It is crucial to hold Makuei accountable, and trying to protect him in the name of preserving Kiir’s legacy only exacerbates the issue. Shielding corrupt officials or indulging in superficial justifications will not salvage President Kiir’s legacy. By fostering integrity, transparency, and accountability, it will be effectively safeguarded. The future of South Sudan hinges on directly addressing corruption, rather than protecting or justifying it.
The feeble defenses put forth by Tearz and others of his kind are incapable of withstanding the scrutiny of truth. Addressing corruption and ensuring that those responsible face legal consequences is crucial for the advancement of the nation. By exclusively following this path, South Sudan can genuinely pay tribute to the sacrifices made by its people and build a future that is truly deserving of them.
Santino Riak is a former Editor in Chief of Independent Daily Newspaper based in Juba and reachable via:+211927
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Thejubamirror News are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Thejubamirrror News
