BY MORRIS KUOL YOLL
General Aleu Ayieny has called on all SPLM veterans to support his recommendation for General Garang Mabil to be appointed as a Veteran Presidential Envoy by President Salva Kiir. I have tried several times to respond to Gen. Aleu’s suggestion, but I have been unsuccessful and ended up deleting my drafts.
As Gen. Aleu mentioned in his letter to the veterans, Gen. Garang Mabil is one of the most loyal generals of the liberation struggle. He is a brave General who fought without wavering during the armed struggle. Additionally, he is a loyal army general to the president, not only that, but he was also a schoolmate of President Kiir and they come from the same state.
Mabil is a kind-hearted individual who holds no grudges, personal or political. He is simply a good man who loves everybody in a tribally, sectionally, and regionally divided country. Despite all these good qualities, he has fallen off President Kiir’s radar for political appointments to positions such as ambassador, minister, presidential advisor, or governor, among others. For some reason, the president has never thought of appointing him.
Knowing how much Gen. Mabil loves the country and his commitment to the cause championed by the SPLA/M, it is disheartening to see him being ignored. It makes one run out of ideas on how to write his recommendation without blaming the president for failing to reward his loyal colleague and dedicated soldier.
As I have learned, Gen. Mabil is now 70 years old. The question is not about giving him a position to make a living; rather, it is about honoring his loyalty to the cause and the country. I believe this is why Gen. Aleu thought of appointing him as a Presidential Envoy. It would be a reward for him to remember while he is still alive, honoring the country he served honorably and bravely struggled to see free. He has always voluntarily called himself to duty to defend the country’s sovereignty when it was threatened.
I salute General Aleu Ayieng for thinking about his colleague who deserves to be honored while he is still alive. I hope his colleagues in the armed struggles, now veterans, including President Salva Kiir Mayardit, will appoint him as their Veteran Presidential Envoy.
The writer is a South Sudanese Canadian and can be reached via myoll2002@yahoo.com or 403-830-9278.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.
Find below Gen. Aleu Ayieny’s letter regarding Gen. Mabil that has been trending on social media:
FROM: LT. GEN. ALEU AYIENY ALEU
TO ALL ANYIA NYIA-1 AND SPLM/A VETERANS.
SUBJECT: LT. GEN. GARANG MABIL DENG.
The subject, well known to all freedom fighters alive, has excelled in his humble patriotism, love, and zealous concern about his colleagues’ welfare, dead or alive. Gen. Garang never misses visiting the homes or hospitals of his sick comrades. He attends funerals, and most of the time, accompanies bodies to their burial places. He one time crashed in a helicopter at Cuei-bet town accompanying his comrade that passed on.
This week alone, he took a body to Aweil to be told that Gen Maker Thiong was no more. Garang drove from Aweil to Bor to attend the burial. Early in the morning, he drove from Bor to Juba International Airport to join Governor Francis Marial Abur and me to accompany the body of veteran paramount Chief Malek Akuien to Tonj for burial.
It is not possible to account for the best things this comrade has done to his comrades since the days of our liberation struggle. He is doing all these things while he is a very sick man.
It is our nature as Junubin to praise good people after they pass on!!
Allow me, my comrades, and all South Sudanese of Goodwill to appreciate and vote for the national honoring of Gen. Garang Mabil Deng by our equally veteran and President, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit.
I humbly request you all to second my proposal for the appointment of the subject as presidential envoy for veteran affairs. His appointment shall bring the veterans and their problems nearer to our president.
LONG LIVE ANYANYA-1 FREEDOM FIGHTERS
SOUTH SUDAN OYEE.
SPLA/SSPDF OYEE.
LONG LIVE GARANG MABIL-ARIIKLOU DENG.
LONG LIVE KIIR MAYARDIT.