Kuol Manyang Juuk, a member of South Sudan's ruling party and the Minister of Defense, says that the people are tired of war and there is “no reason” to keep fighting just for power and position.

“This war – the people of South Sudan are tired of it,” he said in an extensive interview with Radio Tamazuj today.

Kuol was responding to a question about the total number of dead and wounded from SPLA ranks since the beginning of the civil war. He said, “I cannot tell you because I do not have the calculations... but this is a war, of course, there are many casualties, and without reason.”

“Because of those rebels – it's not possible that South Sudan can stay in a state of war. During the time of war we fought with the Sudanese government and during that time we divided in two. And for that reason the war lasted 21 years and when the peace came to the country again we came into the same fighting, with many people dying, not only from the army of SPLA but also from the citizens and also from the rebels – because even they are human beings. We don't wish them death.”

Kuol went on to blame Riek Machar for seeking to become president instead of concerning himself with peace and the welfare of the people.

Asked about the failure of the peace talks in Addis Ababa, he claimed that the SPLA was still abiding by the cessation of hostilities agreement even after the failure of the talks but he said the rebels are disorganized and disunited and have been carrying out attacks

“The rebels are not under one command. They are not under the command of Riek Machar... so even if there is a cessation of hostilities many of his forces are not respecting the cessation of hostilities. For example on the 8th or 9th there was an attack on Sere Malaga, which is north-west of Raja. And those were rebel forces who did that attack and were repulsed, and we captured weapons and some of them including some officers... so they were not respecting the ceasefire agreement. But we will do self-defense until a peace agreement comes,” Kuol said.

Kuol is also head of the SPLM branch in Jonglei State and hails from the Dinka Bor community.

File photo

Related:

Generals say Juba massacre done by private militia, not SPLA (9 March)

Who’s who of the SPLM-Juba faction: Kuol Manyang Juuk (22 Aug.)