Aweil elders seeking audience with Kiir over Malong’s health condition: chief

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Aweil elders seeking audience with Kiir over Malong’s health condition: chief


File photo: General Paul Malong
File photo: General Paul Malong

Aweil community elders are seeking audience with President Salva Kiir
and family members of the former army General Paul Malong Awan over
the latter’s health condition in Juba, a traditional leader said.

This comes after the wife of the former head of army said her husband
has been under house arrest in the capital for months on the direct
orders of President Kiir.

Deng Macham Angui, the president of the traditional leaders, told
Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that they have been making efforts to inform
the national security of Malong’s deteriorating health.

“Actually we are making every effort to ensure there is harmony and
tolerance, whether on the part of the family of General Paul Malong or
anybody with legitimate concerns. We have been talking to the family
to allow us speak to the authorities concerned with trust and in a way
that would not undermine peace and stability of the country. President
Salva Kiir is a humble and caring person,” Macham said.

The traditional leader, who hails from Aweil, explained that the move
was prompted by fears of Malong’s deteriorating health while in
detention and more especially after his wife Lucy Ayak has accused the
government of denying her husband the right to leave Juba.

Paul Malong left Juba shortly after being removed by Kiir in May but
returned saying he had been asked by the authorities and insisted that
he had no any intention of rebelling.

Malong, long regarded as a staunch supporter of President Kiir, was
replaced by General James Ajongo Mawut. Foreign diplomats repeatedly
accused Malong of undermining the 2015 peace accord.