Gov’t minister lambasts ‘enemies of South Sudan’ over president’s outrageous video clip  

JUBA – South Sudan’s Minister of General Education and Instruction Awut Deng Achuil has expressed anger after social media users circulated a video clip in which President Salva Kiir Mayardit appeared to be in uncomfortable situation during the inauguration of the first phase of the Juba-Bahr el Ghazal highway.

Kiir in the 39-second video clip appeared to be wetting on himself as the national anthem was being played during the inauguration of the highway linking the capital to the Bahr el Ghazal region and oil-rich Unity State.

The unidentified journalist who captured the president’s uncomfortable moment immediately turned the camera away.

Two days later, the clip circulated on social media sparking controversy between those in solidarity with the president and those lamenting him for remaining in power despite the deteriorating health conditions.

In a statement, Awut said she is appealed by the video clip and described those who shared the video online as ‘enemies’ of the world’s youngest country and said she adds her voice to those already condemning the circulation.

“I am profoundly appalled to come across a video clip showing our President in an uncharacteristic situation shared by some social media users. The President was inaugurating a road project,” the minister said in the strong-worded statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

“I consider the people who share this material as enemies of South Sudan. Depicting the President in this manner is unacceptable, improper and deplorable. And as a citizen of this country, I would like to add my voice to all the countless South Sudanese patriots inside the country and in the diaspora to condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” it added.

Awut stressed that Kiir “is not only the Head of State; he’s also a symbol of our country. Portraying him in an insulting manner is not humiliating him, but abusing oneself and demeaning to our country and our flag!”

“Our President is a hero and a freedom fighter who dedicated most of his life to the struggle for this country and its people. As a widow who lost my husband and many of our comrades and leaders in the struggle, I would not accept insulting our President. We must respect our President, heroes, heroines, leaders and revolutionaries,” she added.