A former top aide of the country’s vice president, James Wani Igga has urged President Salva Kiir to quit power for “the greater good” of the world’s youngest nation.
David Mayen Dengdit, who resigned from Igga’s office over unrest, said peaceful coexistence among South Sudanese will be the greater incentive for Kiir if he resigns.
In a letter addressed to Kiir and extended to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Mr Dengdit said: “Please take it and make us proud of our president who quit for the greater good of his country. Maybe, for reasons beyond your intentions, things got out of hand. It’s no longer about you as a person.”
“That single bold decision to quit, in addition to your greater contribution to the liberation of South Sudan, will make the people remember you as a great man,” he added.
He urged President Kiir not to listen to his top aides who advise him to stay in power despite the ongoing devastating civil war for their own political gains.
The former press secretary of the country’s vice president pointed out that many African leaders quit power because of mass demonstrations and unrest in their countries, citing the recent resignation of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
The possibility of peace in South Sudan, the former government official said, is much greater without President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar in the upcoming transitional administration.
Despite mounting calls for him to quit, Kiir defiantly insisted on Tuesday that he would never resign; saying what will be his personal incentive when peace comes without him in power.
“What is my incentive if it is peace that I will bring and then step aside? Nobody can do it,” he said.