An Apology Letter from Mr Ateny Wek Ateny to South Sudanese Women.
Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny has penned an apology statement over his recently published remarks on women saying his utterances were misconstrued.
A video surfaced and went viral on July 14, depicting the government official speaking in Dinka, in a wedding, confessing his undying thirst for beautiful women.
But after the outburst that followed the leaked video; where some women called for his resignation, Mr Ateny opened up about the matter and offered an apology although cagily.
‘‘I want to appeal to everyone; both women and girls, men and boys who felt inadvertently hurt by my remarks to find a place in their hearts to pardon me, as I was not intending to demean women in any way.
‘‘As a public figure, I understand that the lines between my official duties and social roles are blurred. As such, I am sorry that my statement at a social function hurt you, albeit being portrayed out of context,’’ his statement partially read.
Ateny clarified he made the utterances in Jieng (Dinka dialect) on February 5, 2021, at a wedding to advise the couple ‘‘as I have done on those occasions’’.
He was categorical that his statement was tailor-made to advise the groom to ‘check his appetite’ and avoid the trap of polygamy which is a cherished tradition among the Dinkas.
‘‘I was speaking as a Dinka culturalist in which case I cautioned the groom to stick to one woman as opposed to what the Dinka culture promotes. Via comedy, I told the groom not to be like me and others who are pro-polygamy,’’ Ateny stated.