S. Sudan’s lawmaker admits 2013 massacre, commends Machar for sending message of peace to citizens
Paul Bor Gatwech, the SPLM-IO chief whip in the National Legislative Assembly (Photo: profile picture)
Dec 17th, 2019 (SSNN)-A lawmaker in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Paul Bor Gatwech applauds South Sudan’s prominent opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny for sending a message of peace and reconciliation to the people of South Sudan during the commemoration of the 6th Anniversary of the Nuer Massacre marked on December 15- 16.
“The Nuer in Diaspora have to join us the Nuer in Juba and else where in South Sudan to embrace peace, reconciliation and harmony for our people in South Sudan. I commend this message from Dr. Riek Machar that talks about One Nation and One People- a peaceful South Sudan.”
Bor admitted that South Sudanese troops had carried out genocide against the Nuer tribe in the capital, Juba.
“We the Nuer who are or came back to Juba don’t deny that there was ethnically motivated massacre in December 15,16,17, 18 and 19, 2013 targeting the Nuer as a community. In fact it was us those in Juba wether alive now or dead who are the real victims. But it is important to also note that the Dinka were also massacred and targeted in other parts of South Sudan during the aftermath of this tragic incident in JUBA and were killed in good numbers.”
He admitted that he narrowly escaped the 2013 massacre in Juba. “I was a survivor of this massacre. But it shouldn’t prevent me and all of you South Sudanese from moving forward.”
The South Sudan’s lawmaker called the Nuer community to use December 15 as a day of reconciliation rather than a day that could spark ethnic revenge.
“There is already different mechanisms put in place through the agreement for justice to be served. Let December 15 be a day of reconciling South Sudan, but not a day to depict the Nuer community as people who will avenge.
I call upon our Nuer Community members in diaspora to join us in this.”
“The international community and other people of South Sudan are observing us: what would happen if a Nuer becomes the next President with such hatred and disappointment ? Another revenge massacres on the rival communities or peaceful coexistence?”
“I know the reason why our brothers and sisters in diaspora pour that hatred and anger during December 15 anniversary is not to show to the world that they are going to avenge if they take power in South Sudan . In fact, it is very rare for the Nuer to mistreat anyone they conquer. But the reason is that the Nuer panicked and are eventually traumatized by this unprecedented incident.”
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