South Sudan’s former army chief who is being confined to his home in Juba for security reasons said he was not sure whether he would be allowed by the government to attend the burial of his daughter in Aweil.

Malong’s daughter died in a dormitory fire in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on over the weekend. Alakiir Malong, a form one student at Moi Girls’ Secondary School, died with seven other Kenyan students when a fire broke out in their dormitory on Saturday.

“I have no information. Nobody told me whether I will be allowed to attend the burial of my daughter at home. Of course Kenya is not home. She was just studying there,” said General Paul Malong told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday.

Atak Awan, Malong’s brother said the family would be very happy if his brother General Paul Malong is allowed by the government to attend the burial at home.

“It will be important if the government allows him to attend the burial. This is our request as the family and we hope the government, particularly the president will listen to us. We want him to attend the burial as the father,” said Atak.

“His attendance will play an important role in consoling the family”, explained Atak when reached separately.

In May, General Malong had expressed desire to go to his birthplace for family matters shortly after being removed from office but the request was not approved by Kiir.