By Mary Poni
South Sudan’s First Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit sent delegates from her office to meet with the King of Chollo Kingdom H.M. King Reth Kwongo Dak who was evacuated to the capital Juba by the President.
Early this month, President Salva Kiir Mayardit rescued the King of Chollo Kingdom, His Majesty Reth Kwongo Dak Padiet who was airlifted to Juba from Fashoda after being threatened of beheading by armed groups amid unrest in the Northern Upper Nile State.
After the King’s arrival to Juba, President Kiir met with the Chollo King, His Majesty Kwongo at the State House J1 last Friday seeking his (King) wisdom on finding a lasting solution to the recurring circles of bloody intra and inter communal violence being worsen by militias in the Shilluk kingdom area.
Meanwhile delegates visited H.M king Kwongo yesterday (Sunday) morning to pass an important information to the king on behalf of the First Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit.
Dr. Paul Gal Atem, the executive director in the office of the first lady who doubles as the CEO of Concern South Sudan (Organization of Mama Mary Ayen Mayardit –Empowering Women and Youth) extended the message of welcome and greeting to the Chollo king.
Speaking on behalf of the first lady Mary Ayen, Paul said the people of South Sudan also felt what has happened to the king and stand in solidarity with the people of Chollo Kingdom.
He said it is the responsibility of the people and the leadership of this country to fight for peace and no one has planned for what has happened to the king in particular and to the members of that community.
“It is a shared feeling and on behalf of the people of this country, the first lady apologized and said let there be joining hands to pray on behalf of the people who are in crisis in the region of Upper Nile so that there is peace and prosperity in that region and the entire country,” said Mary Ayen in her conveyed message.
“You’re not a King of Chollo, but a King to all South Sudanese and traditionally, the Chollo Kingdom belongs to us all as it is stated in the history of this country,” Gal Atem noted.
“I request the King to be praying for peace and unity because we want our people to live together and to love one another and the resources that are available, 99% of them are not used and it is enough for everybody to cause violence,” he continued.
“To our politicians, let’s continue praying that peace and love will come amongst them such that they will look into the future of this country,” he added.
As the President has already met with the King, the first lady said she will be the next person to meet him (king) sooner than later as mother of the nation. The King is currently based in Juba where he feels it is conductive at the moment meanwhile the government is working on calming down the situation in the region of Upper Nile.