MOSES WETANGULA: Only Parliament Can Authorize Troops' Withdrawal from South Sudan

Following the dismissal of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) commander, Lt. Gen. Johnson Ondieki, the Kenyan government reacted angrily by swiftly calling for the withdrawal of the Kenyan forces from the mission in South Sudan 'with immediate effect.' The Kenyan government, in a strongly-worded polemic, also called for disengagement from the South Sudanese peace process. 

 “I say now that we will discontinue our contribution of troops to the proposed regional protection force....we will no longer contribute to a mission that has failed to meet its mandate and which has now resorted to scapegoating Kenyans," Kenyatta has said.

While Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, supported the withdrawal of the Kenyan troops from UNMISS, Moses Wetangula, one of the principal leaders of CORD, told a press conference in Bungoma, where he's also the senator, that it's only the Kenyan parliament that can authorize the withdrawal of the troops from UNMISS. 

''I want to tell you, Uhuru, that before those troops went to South Sudan the matter went through Parliament. If you want them out of there return it to Parliament and see what MPs have to say," Wetangula said. 

Wetangula said that Kenya has a strong interest in bringing peace to South Sudan and that the failure of one Kenyan isn't a ground for all the troops, who are doing a valuable job as they've always done, to be withdrawn from a life-saving mission. Wetangula accused Uhuru of acting out of pride and emotion.

"This is not a matter to decide on your own based on personal emotions and pride. Kenyans are not aggrieved by a general being sacked by the UN but are proud to see the 6,000 minus one troop bringing peace to South Sudan," he added.

The senator lauded the contribution of the Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) adding that Kenyan troops are contributing toward the security of the region and the international community. 

Given the fact that Kenya has a well-developed bureaucratic, democratic and political system, it's not clear why Uhuru's government acted in such a unilateral manner without any consultation required by democratic governance. 

Kenya isn't only the region's economic and tech powerhouse, it also houses many of the region's humanitarian headquarters given its relative stability and the strength of its institutions. Uhuru's action can tarnish the nation's status regionally and internationally. 

Uhuru's emotional reaction also resulted in the deportation of South Sudanese rebel leader's [Riek Machar] spokesperson, James Gatdet Dak, to South Sudan. Gatdet had lauded the dismissal of General Ondieki by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon. Kenya didn't like Gatdet's reaction.  Given the fact that Gatdet is considered an 'enemy' by Juba and could face persecution in there,  Kenya has been criticized for having 'violated' Gatdet's human rights. 

Edited by The Philosophical Refugee 

RIEK MACHAR TENY-DHURGON vs. TABAN DENG GAI

The greatest threat to IO-Riek isn't JCE, Malong or President Kiir. The greatest threat is Taban Deng Gai and his IO faction in Juba. Taban has been plotting to oust Riek Machar since they started the rebellion. He's now succeeded in ousting Riek Machar and his next step is the complete destruction of IO-Riek and the eventual disempowerment of JCE and President Kiir. Taban has his eyes on the prize: PRESIDENCY. JCE will soon clash with Taban once they realize that he's no political friend but a fiendish political schemer.
Taban managed Itang Refugee camp in late 80s and earlier 90s in Ethiopia like a 'city.' Even Dr. John Garang was amazed by Taban's abilities. Undermine Taban at your own risk! Believe me, Riek Machar has many fine ideas but he has no idea how to implement them.
While I know that IO-Riek supporters now despise Taban with all their elements, they have to realize that he has a platform and resources to further manipulate things against Riek Machar. Taban is more of a mobilizer and pragmatist than Riek. Riek is a populist and that tends to frustrate decision-making and makes implementation of his ideals tricky. Taban is a go-getter. He focuses first on his ideals before he turns his mind to what the populace wants. Taban prioritizes his wins. Riek wants to win ALL at the same time. Taban knows who his political friends and allies are and knows how to manipulate his skeptics. Riek thinks his ideas can automatically win friends. He believes in his truth so much so that he forgets that 'convincing' others is important.
As Riek recovers, it's high time IO-Riek supporters realize the bitter reality of things as they stand. IO-Riek has no central, functioning leadership or organized forces. The collection of IO-Riek-affiliated forces are too disorganized to do anything. They neither have material nor moral support.
Indeed, the recent deportation of Gatdet Dak is a manifest testimony of IO-Riek's problems in the region. It says that Riek is losing friends in the region to Taban Deng Gai. With Riek unable to do anything now, Taban is using state resources to make Riek Machar irrelevant. It's a bitter reality, a mammoth task IO-Riek's supporters need to analyze with care. Simply dismissing Taban as JCE foster boy is to undermine the man's abilities. The question IO-Riek supporters need to ask is:
- Where's IO-Riek headquartered and what are they doing?
- Where are those of Gatwech Dual and CDR?
While this doesn't mean that IG and IO-Taban have won, it still means that the odds are stacked badly against IO-Riek.