The liberation struggle that birthed the Republic of South Sudan emerged in a perilous environment. The custodians of this history undertook actions that, if disclosed, would seem unbelievable.
The departure of then-Captain Salva Kiir Mayardit from Malakal was a delicate process, staggering between life and death. Had he and his colleagues made the mistake of igniting the vehicle they used, it would have left a trace of their whereabouts for the enemy; they could have been pursued, bombed, or destroyed in other ways. Their story highlights the resilience of the South Sudanese people, who withstood adversity from the beginning, adapted to challenges, and ultimately overcame them through what experts refer to as the protracted war on the African continent.
The mysterious thinking reflects the determination of people striving to achieve their goals. They submerged a vehicle. Today, somewhere beneath the Sobat River, a Land Rover lies hidden. The men who pushed it into the water did not simply let it go; they spoke to it first. “We do not hate you. Your spirit will find us again if we survive the adversity of what we are beginning; if we don’t perish during the liberation war, your spirit will reward us with a thousand or more vehicles.” Their act of addressing a nonliving thing, a vehicle for that matter, was not mere superstition; it exemplified the beliefs of those who understand that everything sacrificed for a just cause incurs a debt that the universe must eventually repay.
After submerging the vehicle, they crossed the river by canoe and walked toward Dr. John Garang de Mabior and his colleagues, heading toward a liberation whose success was uncertain and whose cost could be everything.
The liberation struggle finally extracted a heavy toll. While it culminated in the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan, the costs were immense.
However, after nations are born, some experience a peculiar amnesia regarding the sacrifices that contributed to their formation. This phenomenon is especially evident in South Sudan. The men who shed their blood on the land that became South Sudan have mainly faded from memory, while the survivors have slipped into obscurity. A situation like this triggers bitter memories.
Now that we are free, and as we speak to their ears, South Sudanese turncoats, who fought alongside the regimes in Khartoum to undermine our success, along with the London vultures who disparaged our liberators, are taking offense at this observation. They have embraced the government that emerged from our liberation struggle, one that is built on the blood of fallen martyrs and the suffering of disabled veterans. Now, they are looting the country, depriving citizens of even the slightest chance for development, while simultaneously undermining veterans and their children. This is not the nation we envisioned or fought for. Veterans are in pain, and the martyrs rest uncomfortably in their graves.
A typical example of this neglect is Gen. Deng Garang Beny and Gen. Ajuong Makuer, who stood alongside President Salva Kiir Mayardit at that riverbank. They together delivered the last rites over a Land Rover and walked when there was nothing left to ride. These individuals are among the uncelebrated heroes, forgotten all too quickly. However, they have not been erased from memory; they have been misfiled by a nation too preoccupied with its own birth to remember those who supported it during the longest gestation period.
Nevertheless, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, known for his sharp memory and heart of gold, filled with the spirit of camaraderie, scanned the crowd at a public ceremony commemorating the SPLA’s 43rd anniversary. He spotted Gen. Deng Garang Beny, his long-lost comrade, and called out to him using all three of his names, as if summoning someone whose face had been firmly engraved in his memory for over forty years. This moment was extraordinary; it was not merely a fleeting recollection but a vivid presence. He could recall Gen. Deng’s height, build, and even the sound of his voice. Then, unexpectedly, he began to weep.
To me, the tears of President Salva Kiir Mayardit were not born out of grief; instead, they were stirred by the profound recognition of his friend, a man with whom he had shared labor, hardship, and danger. It was the kind of weeping that emerges when you realize that something you had quietly feared was lost has, in fact, been there all along, just beyond your line of sight, hidden in the crowd.
A few days later, Gen. Deng Garang Beny arrived at J1. Invited by his colleague and right-hand man, he came filled with patriotism and shared with his friend that his eyesight was deteriorating. Those eyes, which had once scanned the Southern Sudan and Ethiopian bushes to find a safe path, leading forces to the battlefield and ensuring the accuracy of sand models for attacks, now struggled just to see his grandchildren.
President Salva and Gen. Deng Garang engaged in a heartfelt conversation, reminiscent of what I imagine I might share with my cousin and best friend if we were to meet again. After they expressed their feelings, Gen. Deng Garang Beny departed in a vehicle. That moment may have reminded him that the Sobat River had claimed their only vehicle, while the president had returned with many others, and now one was for him. This could have reminded them that what they had offered in faith was resolved quietly and kindly. The Sobat River has repaid the South Sudanese multiple times. It has provided the fighters with water to quench their thirst, food to eat, sheltered them from dangers, and, eventually, supplied plenty of vehicles.
Critics have labeled the tears of President Salva Kiir Mayardit as mere theatrics. However, I believe that was genuine; pretense cannot evoke the memory of a man’s stature. An actor cannot recall the names and significance of what was achieved together over four decades. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has shown humanity in many of his actions. He is not the type to betray a friend or a cause. For instance, he once gave his water canteen to a thirsty soldier, even when he had no guarantee of receiving another. He refused the bribes and all temptations from Khartoum during the liberation and on the path to independence.
I understand that when President Salva Kiir Mayardit gave the vehicle to Gen. Deng Garang Beny, it was not merely a generous gift; it symbolized a deeper truth. He was addressing a question that haunts anyone who has sacrificed something irreplaceable: Was my sacrifice acknowledged? Did my efforts matter? Did I give everything to people who would appreciate it? Am I still valued?
Gen. Deng Garang Beny, a wise and patriotic leader, responded with altruism by calling the public together to celebrate a reunion with his trusted comrade. He shared details about their meeting with the president, including the gifts he received: money and a vehicle. This gesture was meant to illustrate that the president cares for all citizens and to remind him of the importance of addressing the needs of veterans.
Young leaders currently in positions of influence should understand that true success comes from prioritizing the nation over personal interests, such as favorite drinks, foods, or the pursuit of power through hatred. They should express humility, much like Dr. John Garang de Mabior and President Salva Kiir, along with their colleagues.
Success cannot be built on pride, greed, and ignorance, as the South Sudanese people are far too resilient to tolerate mistreatment from those acting out of entitlement. President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his SPLA/M colleagues have earned their positions and respect through their sacrifices during two wars of liberation. What have you, young leaders, done to earn public support beyond acts of theft and disrespect towards fellow citizens? Is it too late for you to realize that every citizen’s worth is important?
Till then, yours truly, Mr. Teetotaler!
The writer, Dr. Sunday de John, holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) from the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences and Faculty of Medicine, respectively. He is the current Chairman of the South Sudan United Front-Progressive and can be reached via drsundayalong4@gmail.com
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.
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