By Lodu William Odiya
The Vice President for Infrastructure cluster, Taban Deng Gai has accused officials within the office of the president for obstructing his attempts for a meeting.
Speaking on Saturday during funeral prayers for victims of the recent killings in Abiemnhom County, Taban said it has become difficult for him to access the president to discuss urgent national matters.
“When we come to gatherings like this, we are blamed and that is your right, but it is difficult to believe that a vice president cannot meet the president. Who can believe? You will not believe it,” he said.
Taban revealed that he last met President Kiir in May last year after returning from Unity State and has since been unable to secure another meeting.
He further claimed that letters addressed to the president are sometimes not delivered, alleging interference from individuals within the presidency.
The vice president also said his request to travel to his home area in Unity State since the Christmas season has not been approved by the president’s office.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions following a deadly attack in Abiemnhom County in the Ruweng Administrative Area, where at least 213 people, including soldiers, were killed on March 1. Authorities believe the attack was carried out by armed youth suspected to have come from Mayom County in Unity State.
Taban criticized officials for failing to act despite prior warnings about the attack.
“They knew there was an attack coming. What were they doing?” he questioned, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
He stressed that the killings should not be viewed through a tribal lens but treated as a criminal matter, noting that those responsible are known and should be held accountable under the law.
During the event, Taban also recounted a conversation with Hussein Abdelbagi, who had questioned him about the ongoing intercommunal violence between Ruweng Administrative Area and Unity State. Taban said he responded by pointing to a lack of support among leaders in addressing such crises.
“You people don’t assist us so that we can resolve problems facing our people,” he said.
He further cited roadblocks, administrative weaknesses, and economic challenges as key drivers of violence in the affected regions, adding that restrictions on movement hinder leaders from engaging directly with communities.
Taban said he, alongside Vice President Abdelbagi and presidential security adviser Tut Gatluak, plans to meet President Kiir upon his return from South Africa to discuss measures to curb violence and improve coordination within the government.
Efforts to reach the office of the president for comment were unsuccessful by press time.