The racial lobby group Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders has welcomed President Salva Kiir’s decision replacing Riek Machar with Taban Deng Gai as the First Vice President of South Sudan.
“The council commends and welcomes the appointment of the new first vice president”, said Gen. Bona Bhang Dhol, a prominent member of the tribal advisory group from the home village of Salva Kiir.
Bona reaffirmed the council’s commitment to peace implementation, saying South Sudan needs peace, reconciliation and development. The tribal elder pointed out that the absence of Riek Machar shouldn’t undermine the peace deal signed in August 2015.
“There is no time to waste, the two parties need to move forward with the implementation of the agreement, and the absence of one man should not halt the agreement” said Bona.
Dinka Council of Elders is not a group of traditional Dinka leaders but a group of mostly influential politicians who advise President Salva Kiir on political matters. They claim to be working for the interest of the Dinka tribe only in South Sudan.
File photo: Justice Ambrose Riny Thiik (left) a leading figure in the ‘Jieng Council of Elders’