The tribal lobby group Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders on Wednesday welcomed President Kiir’s decree replacing six opposition ministers loyal to ousted first vice president Riek Machar with new cabinet members recommended by the newly appointed First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.
Bona Bhang Dhol, a prominent member of the tribal advisory group, said the move is a wise decision in the right direction toward peace implementation in South Sudan.
“First of all, I believe that any peace loving person, not as the council and not me as a person, would certainly welcome these changes, because they are taken in the interest of peace “said Bona.
The tribal elder pointed out that last Augusts’ peace deal was signed by parties not individuals.”This means the absence of one person from one of the parties cannot halt the implementation, so these are important, they will help the parties to implement the agreement” he explained.
Dinka Council of Elders is not a group of traditional Dinka leaders but a group of mostly veteran politicians who advise President Kiir on political issues. They claim to be working for the interest of their tribe only in South Sudan.
File photo: Justice Ambrose Riny Thiik (left), leader of the ‘Jieng Council of Elders’