Dinka council: Kiir, Malong differences require 'careful approach'

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Dinka council: Kiir, Malong differences require 'careful approach'

The Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders (JCE) said Wednesday differences
between President Salva Kiir and his former army chief of staff
requires a careful approach.

Ambrose Riiny Thiik, the former chief justice and now chairman of the
Dinka Council of Elders, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday he had spoken
to Gen. Paul Malong Awan to pass him condolence message on behalf of
the group and assured him their support to overcome the situation in
which he found himself.

“I spoke to Gen. Paul Malong and members of his family. I conveyed to
him on behalf of the council the sincere heartfelt condolence messages
on the death of his daughter and best wishes for the one still in the
hospital,” said Riiny.

When asked about their role to diffuse tension between President Kiir
and his former army chief, Riiny said they are working hard to ensure
there are no misinterpretations of the presence of Gen. Paul Malong in
Juba.

“We are working hard to ensure there is calm and harmony. This has
happened. There is a harmonious situation now,” he said.

“The second thing was to ensure there is medical care, which is being
done. The third is to normalize their relations by bringing them
together. So to bring them back requires a careful approach, and not
rush,” he added.

General Paul Malong Awan is being confined to his home in Juba for
security reasons. He was sacked in May by President Kiir after
resignations by senior military officials.