SPLA-IO Rallies South Sudanese to Rise against Kiir’s Government

(File Photo)

The South Sudan armed opposition group SPLA-IO has called upon all the political forces in the country to unite and rise against the government of President Salva Kiir.

The group, led by the detained First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, said in a statement on Thursday that the SPLM-IG under Kiir has failed to deliver governance solutions to the world’s youngest nation, hence the agitation to force it out.

“We would like to underscore that, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has ruled the country with iron fist for at least two decades without peace, stability, development and a functional government,” said a statement signed by the SPLA-IO acting chairman Nathaniel Pierino Oyet.

Oyet is currently operating from an unknown location and has been accused by the SPLM-IG government faction for disappearing with battalions and commanders of SPLA-IO army.

He said that under Kiir, half of the population remain in internally displaced camps and over two-thirds are living below the poverty line.

“Half of the population are displaced by conflict, violence and natural disaster, over 70% of South Sudanese lives below the poverty line with most of their resources (Oil and Non-oil revenues) being looted with impunity,” said Oyet.

Living below the poverty line equals having insufficient resources to meet basic needs like food, shelter and healthcare or a person surviving on less than a dollar in a day.

SPLA-IO also accused Kiir of military dictatorship, corruption, nepotism and others.

“There is entrenched military dictatorship, tribalism, nepotism, chauvinism, corruption, and state capture. The economy has been hijacked and ran down due to mismanagement and corruption,” said the statement.

He noted that the ongoing conflict is a product of historical injustices and over two decades of misrule and mismanagement and therefore, all political agitators should join hands to force it out.

“We call upon fellow compatriots, all the citizens of South Sudan from different works of life, the youth, the women, Civil Society, the Faith Based Groups, the Academia, the Veterans to rise up to defend our independence, Human Rights, Fundamental freedom and dignity, our Sovereignty,” he said.

Adding: “All the political forces must unite against a regime that is not willing and has no capacity to bring peace, stability and development in the country.”
According to the SPLA-IO, South Sudanese have already suffered enough since the struggle for independence.

“We have already lost generations to struggle and conflict for our independence, we can not afford to lose another generation when we have our full right to self-determination,” he said.

Source: https://chimpreports.com/spla-io-rallies-south-sudanese-to-rise-against-kiirs-government/