Ateny has not provided evidence about Malong being given five million dollars to kill the leader of the opposition Dr Riek Machar. Ateny instead said he was trying to help President Kiir by reporting that statement.
Ateny categorically rejects the allegation made by Thiik Thiik of him being the person behind the targeting of Aweil citizens in Juba. Ateny threatens to take legal action against Thiik or whoever else implicates him in that incident. In this podcast, Ateny addresses the issue of National Security and having released press releases and published opinions on behalf of the President, such as a 2016 opinion article in the New York Times.
“I think Thiik Thiik doesn't understand what I was trying to do,” Ateny tells SBS Dinka. “I was trying to help the President. Thiik knows very well how Malong tried many times to intimidate President Kiir. Malong at some point even told President Kiir, ’I can take this Presidency’. Malong’s intention was to take the Presidency from Kiir by coup… When it comes to the accusation of having betrayed Aweil’s sons because of the Malong connection. How could I do that when two of Malong’s sons are officers of Akol Koor within the National Security? I am human, and mistakes can happen… I can’t deny that I have been wrong sometimes and I admitted my mistakes.”
