LET US GIVE ADUT A TRY
Article by Abunerry, Ayella John Bosco
21st August, 2025
Many people have mixed reactions to Adut Salva Kiir, the
president's daughter, being appointed as the presidential envoy for special programmes. Some view this as nepotism and cronyism, while others consider it a state capture. According to Mr Ateny Wek Ateny, who called it “Wun Weng”
("owner of the cow"), meaning the owner has arrived to protect the
cow from danger. In this context, Adut's appointment is seen as a move to
restore the first family's image, which is struggling due to individuals posing
as allies but seeking personal gain from the state treasury.
While many disagree with the appointment, I hold a different
view. By law, Adut has the right to receive funding as a first-family member
without holding any official position in the country. However, this right does
not override her legal right to also work as an employee in the state she is
bound to serve, like any other citizen. This is apart from the manipulation of
the system by those close to her father, the president.
Recently, we have seen Adut supporting various communities
through her ASK Foundation. She played a role in managing the cholera outbreak
in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area and provided clean water sources in
Warrap and many other regions. These activities, regardless of their source,
are positive signs that the country's resources can easily be redirected back
to the people through Adut.
However, I cannot disagree that Adut can cheaply be
manipulated, given the sensitivity of the position she is appointed to. Worst
of all, she could be prey to her husband, the vice president. In his article,
Ateny Wek Ateny described Adut as a humble person equal to her father, who has
lost touch with good people. If the description of Adut by Ateny is true, then
Adut should work hard to restore her father’s legacy without compromises.
Whatever each one thinks about Adut Salva Kiir, let us give
her a try by trusting her humility and the nation’s heart, where others have
failed. It might not be now, but hopefully, in the short run, she could help
rebuild the First Family legacy by working hand in hand with her father. She
could engage the young energy and real citizens to take over the broken system.
She could control the flow of the state resources, rightly minimising abuses.
Finally, we cannot continue to oppose every appointment based
on our interests. For instance, when Kose Wani Igga was appointed, people
focused on his father-son ties rather than his abilities. Similarly, people are
focusing on the Adut-Salva relationship, yet she deserves an employment
opportunity like anyone else. Let us work with Adut for a try and then condemn
her if she gets drunk on the positional power.
The Writer is a writer, critic, and teacher. Whatever this article contains, it is solely his opinion, and any misinterpretation or misrepresentation of this idea lies with the owner.
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