The dispute erupted after Ateny called for Vice President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel to be dismissed from office, accusing him of overstepping his authority by allegedly reassigning the president’s personal bodyguards. Ateny’s remarks, shared widely on social media, sparked a storm of reactions — including calls from some Aweil elders for reconciliation between the two men.
But Dr Aldo, writing from London, dismissed any attempts at mediation in a strongly worded open letter addressed to Kuol Athian Mawien, Chairman of the Aweil Community and a member of the SPLM Political Bureau.
In the letter, Aldo accused Ateny of spreading “hate speeches” against Vice President Bol Mel and warned that reconciling with him would be “a waste of time.”
“Ateny Wek is not a public leader and shall never be one in Aweil or in the Republic of South Sudan,” Aldo wrote. “While in the Office of the President, he acted above ministers, disrespected officials, and betrayed colleagues.”
The veteran politician further accused Ateny of political scheming dating back to the 2010 elections, alleging he conspired with Gen. Paul Malong to sideline senior Aweil figures. He also claimed Ateny had previously misled President Salva Kiir and leaked sensitive state matters, undermining national interests.
“Leave him alone to dig his own political grave,” Aldo concluded — a phrase that has since gone viral across South Sudanese online spaces.
Ateny fires back: “Aldo tried to bury my character alive”
Unbowed, Ateny Wek Ateny responded with equal ferocity, accusing Aldo of attempting to “assassinate my character at whim.”
“I thought Aldo Ajou was an elder capable of mediation,” Ateny said. “But since he has chosen to stand with Aweil East, then let it be.”
Ateny accused the former Sudanese Deputy Prime Minister of hypocrisy, referencing Aldo’s tenure in Khartoum, during which he claims, “two massacres of Southern Sudanese occurred.”
He dismissed Aldo’s authority to define leadership within Aweil, saying, “He speaks as if Aweil comprises only Aweil East. Unless there are no elections, I can still be a leader in Aldo’s world.”
Ateny also announced plans to publish a new piece titled “Why the Ego and Sycophancy Don’t Retire or Get Old,” which he said would expose what he described as “the arrogance of the political old guard.
Behind the feud: Aweil’s power struggle
The public spat has laid bare longstanding rivalries within the Aweil political elite, a group historically central to President Kiir’s political base. Observers say the exchange reflects a broader generational rift — between elder statesmen loyal to the SPLM hierarchy and younger, outspoken figures demanding reform and inclusion.
Dr Aldo, a prominent figure in both Sudanese and South Sudanese politics for over five decades, represents the old guard: disciplined, loyal, and protective of the SPLM establishment. Ateny, by contrast, embodies the new wave — brash, independent, and unafraid to challenge party heavyweights.
Political analysts warn that the feud could unsettle internal cohesion within the Aweil bloc, especially as South Sudan prepares for its long-delayed national elections.
Bol Mel: The man at the centre of the storm
At the heart of the controversy is Vice President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, a figure both revered and criticised for his influence in South Sudan’s political and economic spheres.
A former head of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Bol Mel, built his reputation through close ties with President Kiir and his active role in national infrastructure and business ventures. His political rise culminated in his appointment as Vice President in charge of the Economic Cluster, cementing his position as one of the most powerful men in Juba.
However, his prominence has not come without controversy. In 2023, the United Nations Security Council sanctioned Bol Mel for alleged involvement in corruption and activities deemed to undermine peace in South Sudan. Despite the sanctions, he remains an influential member of Kiir’s inner circle — underscoring his political resilience and the president’s continued confidence in him.
