JUBA, 17 December 2013 –The Government has ordered the reopening of Juba International Airport, two days after it was closed down following what the Government has described as ‘a failed coup attempt’. Flights, both domestic and international are expected to resume operations by Wednesday December 18, the Official Government Spokesperson has said.
Air and road transport has been crippled in the Capital Juba since Sunday. Hon. Micheal Makuei, also minister of Information and Broadcasting made the announcement earlier today after a security meeting convened at the Office of the President, chaired by the President H.E Salva Mayardit.
He called on the water suppliers, bakeries and other essential service providers to resume providing ‘these services’ to the people. Furthermore, he called on people who fled their homes, including those currently camping in the United Nation Compounds to return to their homes.
Ten people suspected to be behind the foiled coup plot have reportedly been arrested, while five more including Dr. Riek Machar are still at large, Hon Makuei said.
Coup has nothing to do with Nuer as tribe
The Governor of Unity State Simon Kun Pouch, said people must restrain from defining the foiled coup attempt on tribal lines of Nuer or Dinga, saying it has nothing to do with tribes.
“There are people out there saying, what has happened is between the Dinka and the Nuer tribesmen, we the leaders of this country would want state here that this is not true”, said Governor Kun. If you see the people going with Dr. Riek, some are Dinkas, some are Chol, Nuer and other tribes, he explained.
Governor Kun said those ‘yarning’ for power should not do so through violent means but rather wait for election. He said people who want to divide people along lines of tribes are enemies of peace.
Another senior Nuer leader Dr. Riek Gai Kok, who is the national minister of Health strongly condemned the mutiny and urged the group from misinforming the public. “What happened is not a Nuer or Dinka thing, let them not spoil the name of Nuer tribe” Dr. Gai remarked.
Don’t be allowed to used- Youth leader
The chairman of the Youth SPLM Youth League, Akol Paul Kordit has urged the youth to refuse being used to fight wars that have meaning especial after many decades of civil war. He said President Kiir Mayardit who spent most of his time fighting for the freedom of South Sudan, would want to see the youth ‘fighting for Masters, Degrees or PHDs’ but not to be fighting physical wars.
“All the lives that we lost in this ‘uncalled-for incident’ is a lost to our country” Kordit who is Member of Parliament in the national Assembly noted. He called on the youth both in uniform and civilian clothes to preserve peace.
The injured require blood
Over 130 injured people are receiving treatment at the many referral hospital Juba though authorities say some are in desperate need of blood. Awut Deng, the minister of Gender Social Welfare said many of the victims arrive at the hospital when they have insufficient blood due to over bleeding.
She called on the general public to move in to donate blood, provide food among others. He said doctors are waiting to receive donors.
Reported by Matata Safi