Kiir using public resources to ‘buy’ opposition defectors – critic

JUBA – An outspoken South Sudanese activist has accused President Salva Kiir Mayardit of diverting public resources which should be used to implement the revitalized peace agreement to buy allegiance of defecting opposition military officers saying the president wants to use violent to justify the unending transition in South Sudan.

This comes a day after former commanders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) attacked opposition bases with the help of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Upper Nile and Unity states sparking western condemnation of ceasefire violations.

In a statement, Wani Michael, an outspoken activist and critic of President Kiir, said the South Sudanese head of state has chosen to use public resources which are supposed to be used for implementation of the revitalized peace agreement to buy opposition military defectors.

The activist warned that days ahead will be “ugly” as the transitional period, which began in 2020, is coming to an end and then accused President Kiir and his group of wanting to use violence to justify the unending transitional periods in the world’s youngest country.

“Instead for President Kiir, and his cohorts or conmen like Tutkew using the available resources to implement the peace agreement, they used the resources to buy off military defectors from the opposition. President Kiir and his cohorts want to use violence to justify their stay in power,” he said.

“The remaining days or months will be ugly since their mandate is coming to an end without any tangible results. The ‘SPLM oyeeeeeee’ malnourished people are getting tired and fed up with President Kiir failed leadership,” he concluded.