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.