The racial lobby group Jieng (Dinka) Council of Elders have recently approached two ethnic Dinka ministers to encourage them to change parties from SPLM-IO to SPLM (Juba).
Minister of Energy and Dams Dhieu Mathok has confirmed that he and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mabior Garang have been approached twice by the Elders to change sides.
Such a move, had it succeeded, would have resulted in the loss by SPLM-IO of their most prominent Dinka members. SPLM-IO is led by Riek Machar, a Nuer, but the group’s secretary-general Dhieu Mathok, and deputy chairman Alfred Lado are Dinka and Equatorian, respectively.
Dhieu says he turned down the offer, claiming it would violate the peace agreement by which he was appointed minister.
Recently, the Jieng Council of Elders played a role in the defection of General Dau Atorjong, according to the general, who confirmed meeting with them prior to his defection.
Dinka Council of Elders are not a group of traditional Dinka leaders but a group of mostly politicians who support President Salva Kiir. They claim to be working for the interest of the Dinka tribe in South Sudan.
File photo: Dhieu Mathok