Former Detainees disown chief whip’s statement accusing Nyandeng of incitement

Leaders of the SPLM Former Detainees have distanced themselves from a statement by the group’s Chief Whip, Isaiah Hakim Garang, accusing Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior of incitement.

On Monday, Hakim accused Nyandeng of incitement over remarks she made about the alleged neglect of liberation veterans more than two weeks ago.

Nyandeng made the remarks during the funeral of former Minister of Finance and Planning Kosti Manibe.

She questioned who was advising President Salva Kiir on the country’s political direction.

She also urged young people to speak out against what she described as mistakes in the way the country was being governed.

Hakim condemned the remarks as incitement, saying leaders should not encourage citizens to oppose the government.

However, in a joint statement issued this morning, three leaders of the SPLM Former Detainees; General Gier Chuang Aluong, Madut Biar Yel and Dr Majak D’Agoot, said Hakim was speaking for himself and did not have their backing to issue the statement on behalf of the group.

According to their letter, Hakim’s statement was neither discussed nor approved by the Former Detainees.

The three leaders also rejected Hakim’s claim to speak for the group, saying his position as the Former Detainees’ representative in parliament does not give him the political authority to speak on behalf of the entire group.

They added that Nyandeng’s remarks did not require a collective response from the Former Detainees.

The leaders have called on the public to disregard Hakim’s statement, describing it as unauthorised.