Kiir, generals are South Sudan's problem, says Anglican bishop

Rev. Moses Deng Bol

A South Sudanese Anglican Bishop in Wau said President Kiir and his army generals are the problem of the country because they haven’t held people who committed atrocities against civilians accountable.

Rev. Moses Deng Bol, Archbishop of Northern Bhar al Ghazal Internal Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Wau, said in an interview with Radio Tamazuj today that President Kiir and his associates are not abide by the country’s constitution.

“Generals should respect the constitution because this is a country. The situation is different now from the previous years when we were in the bush because we are now a country. So those generals do not work according to the law,” he said.

However, Deng commended the current army chief James Ajongo Mawut for trying to educate the national army to respect their citizens.

Archbishop Deng pointed out that the government has denied South Sudanese the freedom of speech and expression, citing closure of several media houses by security officials.

The religious leader prayed to God to touch the hearts of South Sudan leaders in order to realize that they are not abide by the rule of law, instead they are promoting the rule of guns resulting in the massive loss of lives and properties of innocent civilians.

He criticized the Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders, saying the tribal advisory group is damaging the unity of South Sudanese and the future of the Dinka community.

“The Jieng Council of Elders is a self-appointed group and they are not representing Jieng because I am a member of Jieng. We did not conduct any election to bring them. The body is not a problem but the problem is that the council comprises of politicians. They should not involvement themselves in politics because the party and the government are there for all South Sudanese,” he said.

“I can say that those people are the problem because they are confusing the president and they are bringing hatred and divisions among the people of South Sudan,” he added.

He urged President Kiir to focus on the national dialogue and the revitalization process to make peace in the country. “We want to discuss and reach a consensus to find solutions to the problem of our country,” he said.

The religious leader also appealed to Kiir to introduce the rule of law in the country.