Kuol Manyang urges Kiir to respect freedom of speech

JUBA – Former South Sudan minister of defense Kuol Manyang Juuk has appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit to respect the freedom of speech given to citizens by the transitional constitution saying everyone, including himself, has the right to speak out his mind.

In an interview with Radio Miraya’s Mach Samuel, Manyang said freedom of speech is a tradition of the South Sudanese people and given examples that traditional leaders or chief are always criticized or insulted at because of their actions and do always tolerate that.

“People [South Sudanese] in America are composing songs insulting me, and my integrity, but I take it as normal. Normally, in our culture, even chiefs used to be insulted, songs are composed against them, and they sing their own songs. That is democracy and President Salva should not…” he said.

“If there are people talking about this, then he [President] should face them, not me, I am very innocent. I will not tell them to stop this or stop that, I am free and everybody is free to talk,” he added.

This comes after reports suggested that Manyang has intentions to contest for the 2023 elections on the ticket of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in which the president said there is another looming split within the group.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented human rights violations by security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir. Former Northern Bahr el Ghazal state government Kuel Aguer has remained under detention for calling for protest against President Kiir.

Several internal organizations including Amnesty and HRW have appealed to President Salva Kiir to release him and protect the freedom of expression which is granted under the transitional constitution.