INTERVIEW | IDP man who ‘never seen’ Machar talks to Sudans Post

JUBA, MARCH 5, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – A displaced young man living at the former UN protection of civilians camp in Juba was able to meet First Vice President Riek Machar Teny for the first time achieving a decades-long dream.

Last Sunday, Machar who is also the leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) was on a visit to the UN protection of civilians camp when Amasco Gatwech came out with a poster to say he “never seen” Machar since coming to life in 1993.

The young man was immediately noticed and was allowed to meet Machar the following day.

Sudans Post traced him down and decide to briefly speak to him.

Q1. THANK YOU GATWECH FOR ACCEPTING TO TALK BRIEFLY TO SUDANS POST. CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS?

Thank you very much too for coming to talk to me. My name is Amasco Gatwech. I am the person who whose photo was circulated on social media carrying a poster that “Since I was born in 09/07/1993 physically.” So, because it is really very hard for those people to notice among hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people and it worked. I was able to meet H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny and I am thankful to the people who made this possible.

Q2. WHY WERE YOU SO EXCITED TO MEET DR. RIEK MACHAR?

The reason I was excited to meet him is that Dr. Riek Machar is my role model or idol in politics and admire his leadership style. He is a very important person to me. He is my good leader and that is why I want to meet him.

Q3. WHAT DID YOU ASKED FOR OR DISCUSSED DURING YOUR MEETING WITH DR. RIEK MACHAR?

We discussed a lot of issues that are important to our country. We discussed ways to restore peace and stability in the country and we also talked about the role of youth in bringing about peace and stability in South Sudan. We need to support our leaders to bring lasting peace to our country and the time for the young people is now, not tomorrow. Let’s support our leaders with no exception and help them bring the change they seek.

Q4. A GOOD NUMBER OF THE COUNTRY’S POPULATION SEES DR. RIEK MACHAR AS A PART OF THE PROBLEM SOUTH SUDAN HAS TODAY. WHY DO YOU THINK HE IS A GOOD LEADER TO YOU?

He is good according to what I have analyzed from him. He is leading people in a good way, and I have seen his good leadership skills. He is a democratic leader who listen to citizens’ voices like what I posted last time. He decided to meet me after seeing my post on Facebook. He allowed me to come to his office because he is a good leader.

Q5. DOES THAT MAKE HIM A GOOD LEADER?

This is what I believe. I admired him before I went to the IDP camp.

Q6. WHAT WERE YOUR FEELINGS AFTER MEETING HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME?

I felt happy, it was like a dream come true. I have been longing to see him and my dream has come true. I was excited when Dr. Riek Machar called me to his office.

Q7. DO YOU HAVE ANY DREAM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE DR. RIEK MACHAR TO HELP YOU IN ACHIEVING?

Off course, I have a dream. I would like Dr. Machar to help sponsor my education. I can’t afford further education. I would like him to offer me a free scholarship outside the country like in the U.S.A, or in Asian countries, another thing is that when I posted my picture with Dr. Machar on social media, many people mostly opponents of Dr. Machar saw it and I am afraid that I will be a victim to other political parties who don’t want young people like us to support him.

My life will be at risk.