Kiir’s press aide ‘a pathological liar’, says J1 critic

JUBA – An activist highly notable for being a sharp critic of the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit has referred to Ateny Wek Ateny, the president’s press secretary, as a pathological liar.

This is after Ateny claimed in statements that the presidency and the government in general are not aware of the river dredging machines that arrived from Egypt via Sudan to Unity State’s capital Bentiu.

On June 1^st, a 21-truck convoy arrived to Bentiu from Egypt via Sudan carrying heavy river dredging machines meant for clearing weeds inside Naam river to allow movement of water as devastating floods have displacement thousands in Unity state.

While the national ministry of water resources & irrigation says the machines were imported into the country with agreement between Egypt and South Sudan, the presidency claims that it has no idea as to who is behind the importation of the machines.

“The government has not given any approval yet on clearing Nile water or clearing the plants that are inside the Nile. We have not yet been told about those machines completely,” presidential press secretary Ateny Wek Ateny said Tuesday.

“The government wanted to know from the experts, the ecological impact of clearing the Nile because their livelihood depends very much on the swamps that extends to more than thousands square miles” he added.

In reaction to Ateny’s comments, Activist Wani Michael said the presidency is aware of the machines and the claims that the government is not informed about the arrival of the dredging machines are false, calling Ateny as a ‘pathological liar”.

“[Ateny Wek Ateny] can lie or say whatsoever he wants to say but the fact still remains that your boss Kiir Mayardit met the Egyptian minister of water on the issues of water resources and irrigation on June 25, 2021 as reported on your own official Facebook account,” Wani said.

“The issue of dredging and other water related issues were discussed in that particular meeting. President Kiir is responsible for all these mess because he surrounded himself with conmen and dealers. [Ateny Wek Ateny] is a pathological liar!” he added.

To be labeled as a pathological liar, a person must lie frequently and for no good reason. Pathological liars harm themselves with their behavior, but they keep doing it despite the consequences‌.