Joram Biswaro, the African Union (AU) Ambassador to South Sudan, said the nation’s capital city is “peaceful and quiet”, disputing reports of rising tensions after President Kiir sent troops to General Paul Malong’s home to disarm his bodyguards and remove all weapons in his possession.

The African Union diplomat said this after meeting President Kiir at the State House in Juba on Wednesday.

“President Kiir explained that what is going on is a simple administrative matter which should not be a cause of alarm to anybody. I trust that at the end of the day it will be resolved,” Biswaro said.

Biswaro, who also heads the African Union office in Juba, said he believes that the security situation is not as bad as being reported and believed. “What is being said outside there is too much exaggerated … For one living here in Juba, I can see we are peaceful,” he added.

The diplomat reassured the international community that the security situation is calm.

But General Malong himself said in a letter he wrote to the United Nations Mission in the country that tensions were high in Juba since Friday after President Kiir sent troops to surround his home.

The former army chief, who was a close ally to Kiir, said the United Nations and IGAD should intervene to defuse the ongoing tensions to avoid any bloodshed in the country.