FACTS CHECK: Who was Lual Akook, a nephew or a biological son of President Salva Kiir?
president Kiir and other senior politicians during the wedding of Lual Akook Wol Kiir, the suspect who killed five and injured eight people at the Sharikat-Bor Park shooting on June 2nd, 2020(Photo credit: Presidential Press Unit)
June 3, 2020(SSNN) — The controversial unknown gunman, who killed five people and wounded eight others in what appeared to be another land-grabbing shooting in South Sudan capital, Juba, at the Sharikat-Bor Park has been fully identified.The suspect was initially identified as Lual Marine, Lual Akook Wol Kiir or Lual Salva Kiir.
Lual has been in public light, mostly for controversial incidents that range from intimidation, harassment, murder, gun violent, land grabbing and recently for his splendid royal wedding at the South Sudan Presidential Palace, but his real identity remains controversial until this latest incident that has outraged many people and especially Dinka from Jonglei state. This report was developed by investigative journalists to answers the question- who was Lual Marine?
Lual during his famous fedding on September 2, 2019:
Lual Marine Akook Wol Kiir and daughter Mia Ayen Gregory Vassili Deng Kuac in a colorful wedding ceremony organized by the first family in J1(Photo credit: Presidential Press)
During one of the most famous royal wedding of the First Family on September 2, 2019, which brought the family of the president representing the groom on one side and the family of the First Lady representing the bride, on the other side, South Sudan Presidential Unite under the authorship of Mr. Ateny Wek Ateny had the following to write:
“Moment of Joy and happiness engulfed Presidential palace on Sunday evening, as hundreds of guests gathered at the palace to celebrate the wedding ceremony of the First Family;
“The families of Vassili and Mayardit were joined by the First Vice President, General Taban Deng Gai, Presidential advisors, national ministers and senior officials in the government for the wedding ceremony of their son Lual Marine Akook Wol Kiir and daughter Mia Ayen Gregory Vassili Deng Kuac in a colorful wedding ceremony organized by the first family;
“The groom Lual Marine Akook Wol is a nephew of President Salva Kiir and the Bride Mia Ayen Gregory is a niece to the First the Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit;
“Addressing the guests, during the wedding ceremony, President Salva Kiir urged the young people to value South Sudan Culture and traditions and marry in an official way;
“President Salva Kiir reiterate his commitment to support young people to achieve their dreams, but he also, condemned community conflicts and urged the communities of Gogrial and Tonj State to stop communal fighting.
“Speaking at the same occasion, the First Vice President General Taban Deng Gai described the marriage between the family of Mayardit and Vassili as a symbol of hope, unity and peace, as it comes at the time when the country is in dire need of peace and unity.
“Taban advised the youth to be creative and engaged in self-employment initiative instead of waiting to be employed by the government”
Lual after the shooting and killing of unarmed citizens
Following the instant killing of five people, which include one woman and a chief from the Bor Dinka, that sparked protests today in Juba, South Sudan, the South Sudan Presidential Unity under the same authorship of Mr. Ateny Wek Ateny described Mr. Lual as a “distanced cousin to the president”. The presidential press unit clarified that president Kiir has a biological son by the same name but he shouldn’t be confused with the suspect, Lual Akook Wol Kiir.
Lual, a biological son or a nephew to president Salva Kiir
According relatives and friends, Lual who goes by his nickname as Lual Marine is fully identified after his father Akook Wol Kiir, a paternal uncle to President Salva Kiir, who died before Lual was born. According to Dinka traditions, President Kiir had to inherite his uncle wife after his death and this led to Kiir fathering Lual and his younger siblings on behalf of Akook Wol Kiir.
Close relatives and friends believe that Lual Akook resembles his biological father, Salva Kiir, more than Kiir’s other sons including Manut and Lual Salva Kiir. They say Lual was raised by President Kiir and he remains closer to him more than his other children who resides mostly in Nairobi and Australia.
Military service
Col. Lual Akook Wol Kiir being attended at the hospital following the incident at the Sharikat-Bor park(Photo credit: supplied)
Very little is known about the year Lual joined the military as he was studying in neighboring Uganda but as of today, Lual is a fully armed Colonel in the army. At the time of this incident, Lual was seen wearing his favorite uniform, a “marine” kwaki, that is similar to the US marine uniform.
This uniform could have been a mere coincidence, however, critics believe that this is Mr. Lual’s routine way of dealing with those who challenge his authority. To prove that he is a Marine, Lual is know to act tough against his critics.
According to South Sudan National Security records, Lual killed a junior collegue in the national security by hanging between 2015 and 2016. This incident was handled by the National Security and there is no indication if Col. Lual was sentenced by the court martial or not. He was released after the First Lady pleaded with the national security to release him.
Land and property grabbing,
Lual Akook is known to own five or more properties and businesses in Juba but he wanted to expand.
According to insiders, Lual owns a controversial property near the Sharikat-bor park that he wanted to expand by curving a significant portion of the Park, specifically the areas where the public toilet is built, for his personal use. Some of the property he wanted to seized is owned by other Dinka residents from Jonglei State who refused to give up their piece of land. When the residents stood up, Mr. Lual left but only to return fully armed and guarded by bodyguards.
The residents explained that, this time, he wanted the residents to evacuate the public toilet area immediately which led to another controversy and then the shooting started. The unarmed residents resisted leading to the death of five and several other injuries but the suspect was eventually overpowered and severely beaten up.
“The issue is all about Shirikat cemetery. He grabbed some part of it sometimes back and he has already constructed a tukul. What prompted this fight is the public toilet attached to the cemetery. He says that toilet must be demolished and the peoples in the market are opposing his idea. So, this morning, he brought soldiers to impose the demolition of that toilet which people repeatedly rejected. His soldier opened guns on peoples around. Currently the situation has erupted into a demonstration. Civilians who has loss their relative and others injured, are calling for “Kiir’s must go and Lual Marine must die”” One resident explained.
Protests and public reaction
This incident generated public outcry on social media and protests in Juba. The protests were met by another violence and shooting from the national security but no casualties have been reported.
On social media, many protesters have called for justice and accountability, saying;
“Ateny is a perennial liar, government sympathizer and a sycophant. How does a nephew of yesterday becomes a distance relative when he commits murder?? The bottom line is, for Kiir to quell the ongoing protest, he must sign the execution of this wayward boy!!” said Malek Dau Gak
“This is one of the greatest test to President Salva Kiir Presidency.The world is watching this matter with eagle eye.This is to confirm whether there is rule of law, accountability, responsibility and above the act of humanity.” Said Jok Kernyang on Facebook.
“This letter indicates that the president is not ready to condemn the ongoing violence in Sherikat. From formal and legal standpoint it’s one thing to write and sign a document showing one’s authorship and another to released it through the press. Kiir has no saying on all that’s written in that letter. And why leave the real matter and emphasize so much on ‘far distant relative'” Said Mayen Deng
“Why are they denying him at this moment as a distance relative wasn’t the same guy whose wedding was done in state house as one of the royal family member
Isn’t that a disgrace to the president family? Therefore the government must not use exclusive powers to Intimidate the CITIZENS and grabs their belongings.” Said Snazoo Derulo
“How many “distance relatives” or any south Sudanese have had their weddings in J1? Ateny Wek and the presidency shouldn’t confused us. Lual Marine has been with president Salva Kiir since his days in Yei? We all know he’s Kiir’s biological son, enjoying the privileges of the first son…Kiir shouldn’t deny him this time round….on his good days President Kiir organised for him a lavish wedding in J1..He (president) should swallow this with shame!!!” Said Deng Akech
“This guy is not alone, he has been using state powers at will to loot, intimidate and finally kill people. His wedding was fully graced last year by the same first family denying him now” Said Nhail Kkezekiah AnyiDi
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