The Chairman of the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance Deng Athuai Mawier says that he was shocked and angered while attending the SPLM-Juba consultative conference last week because speakers were focused on issues of power rather than the welfare of the people. 

SPLM-Juba faction leader Salva Kiir and SPLM-IO faction leader Riek Machar have been arguing over what powers should be given to each of them in a transitional government.

Supporters of the SPLM-Juba faction leader gathered in Juba last week to deliberate on the power-sharing proposal. Besides party leaders, they also invited other ‘stakeholders’ to the event including civil society leader Deng Athuai Mawier.

The activist unexpectedly delivered an address slamming both Kiir and Machar for bickering over power and making ‘excuses’ to avoid a peace agreement, while also pointing out that neither factional leader has a son in the war.

Speaking to press in Juba on Wednesday, Athuai explained the reason he made this speech: “I was really very angry, because I am looking for the welfare of our people.”

“The children are dying. The women are dying. At the same time people are talking about the powers that are being divided between the president and the prime minister. Meanwhile it is the same party which is divided into three.”

“So when people are talking about the powers I was really shocked. I thought that people will think about… the children [and] women,” he added.  

After this speech, Kiir’s supporters initiated an effort to remove Athuai from his leadership position in the Civil Society Alliance. On Wednesday a group claiming to be mandated by the Alliance’s ‘general assembly’ said they decided to oust Athuai from the chairmanship after an investigation for “controversial statements.”

Akuoch Ajang Nyanhom addressed a press conference on Wednesday saying he would serve as the acting executive of the civil society group.

But the activist Deng Athuai slammed Akuoch and the backers as imposters and stooges. “The group that met here, it has been formed from SPLM – from the Government.”

He said it is “led by someone who is responsible in one of the bodies in SPLM party. It cannot be able to come and form a group to say that we are firing the [Civil Society Chairman].”

“I am now the chairperson 100% until the legitimate bodies sit and then they take their decision,” emphasized Athuai.

“We have the executive and we have the council. And not one of them is a member of the council,” he said, referring to those who tried to oust him. “And the council is the one that has powers to remove me or to make accountability.” 

However, Athuai has clarified remarks he made last week comparing President Salva Kiir to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He says he would not wish the same fate on Kiir.

“Some people they were saying that I compared the president with Gaddafi. That is the only item that I withdraw. Why? Because as the civil society I may not wish a bad wish to my president,” he said. 

File photo: Vice President James Wani Igga addressing an anti-UN rally organized by the South Sudanese government in March 2014

Related:

Supporters of Kiir call for apology from Deng Athuai (26 Nov.)

‘Kiir and Machar have no sons in the war’ (24 Nov.)        

Civil society urges nations to ‘deport children’ of S. Sudan warring party leaders (7 Aug.)