NAIROBI: A showdown between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his ousted army chief intensified on Friday after the general
failed to return to the capital Juba following his dismissal amid a worsening civil war.
General Paul Malong, who has been leading Kiir’s military campaign against rebels supporting his political rival Riek Machar, left Juba with a convoy of vehicles for his home state of Aweil in the northwest on Tuesday, raising speculation over his next move.
“When I talked to him (Malong) last, he was not in a good mood, he was in a fighting mood,” Kiir told reporters on Friday. “I tried to calm him down, but he was rather wild.”
Kiir said Malong should have thanked him and formally handed over the command of the military to his successor instead of leaving the capital.
Kiir wants Malong to return, but so far the general has refused.
“I have assured him (Malong) of his safety as soon as he arrives in Juba. I have given the security organisation all the necessary orders,” Kiir said.
“It is the concern of everybody and nobody wants... Malong to run into such unplanned problems. There are so many foreign hands that are now being seen behind General Paul as pushing him,” he said, alluding to unspecified foreign interference.
On Thursday, Malong said he had gone home for a rest but on Friday he refused to board a plane that was sent to fly him to the capital unless all his bodyguards accompanied him, presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said.
“He should not have more than four bodyguards by law,” Ateny said, adding that a committee of elders from Malong’s home state has been sent to “persuade” him to come to Juba.
Malong was not available for comment. — Reuters
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