First Deputy Speaker of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Oyet Nathaniel, and Ateny Wek Ateny, the former press secretary in the office of the president.| File Photo |.
Daughters of heroes of the liberation wars in the Republic of South Sudan from Eastern and Central Equatoria states expressed deep concern about the recent mischaracterization of Monyiemiji communities as vigilantes by First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, and former President’s Press Secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny.
Oyet Nathaniel stated in his Facebook post that the government has failed to protect the lives and properties of all citizens in South Sudan. According to Nathaniel, this failure has led to the formation of community vigilante groups, including Monyiemiji.
Nathaniel called upon the African Union, United Nations, Troika, European Union, IGAD Partners Forum, and the C5 Countries to protect civilians in South Sudan. He also urged them to reject the government spokesperson’s call to profile an ethnic group as a negative force.
In addition, Ateny Wek and Nathaniel accused Monyimiji of being vigilantes. Ateny Wek, the former press secretary in the office of the president, stated that Titweng/Gelweng in Jieng areas, cattle raiders in Murle, Monyiemiji in Eastern Equatoria, and the White Army in Nasir (Upper Nile) and Akobo (Jonglei) all fall into the same categories.
The daughters of heroes strongly condemned these descriptions, including labeling Monyiemiji as a vigilante, para-military, terrorist, militia, opposition, rebel, or any other destructive term.
They also rejected the distortion of the original meaning of Monyiemiji, which aims to obliterate their traditions, cultures, dignity, and human rights.
The group emphasized that the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan (2011), as amended in 2013, recognizes traditional leadership and governance under customary laws.
They considered the negative classifications of Monyiemiji as provocations against a peaceful indigenous traditional leadership that predates South Sudan’s independence.
They clarified that Monyiemiji are not an armed group or a political establishment but are rooted in democratic practices, laws, discipline, and peaceful governance.
The group further explained that “Monyiemiji” translates to “owners of the village,” reflecting their role as custodians safeguarding their communities’ well-being through local-level security, service delivery, and sustainable development.
They denounced attempts to mislead the government, citizens, and the international community about the Monyiemiji identity, especially given South Sudan’s history of violent conflicts and civil wars.
The group appealed for constructive dialogue to de-escalate conflicts and prevent further division and disintegration of stability in South Sudan.
