The Jieng Council of Elders, a pro-government group of leaders from South Sudan's largest ethnic group, has welcomed the step taken by President Salva Kiir to sign a peace agreement with the rebels.

President Kiir signed appended his signature to the IGAD-brokered peace agreement 27 August, about a week after his rival Riek Machar also signed the deal.

Speaking on Tuesday at Home and Away business center during a news conference, Justice Ambrose Riny Thiik, chairperson of the council said after consultations with sections of the Jieng (Dinka) community on the recent peace deal, they have welcomed the deal.

“We released this press statement to all our people in this country to support the government and the president and every effort made to see to it that the agreement is implemented so that our people realize peace,” he said.

Riny and other Jieng Council members had earlier fiercely criticized the IGAD mediation and their proposals to bring peace to South Sudan.

Yesterday, however, he said that the Jieng Council of Elders “recognizes the past efforts played by IGAD, African Union, Troika and the international community in working so hard in assisting South Sudan to bring peace.”

“The council commits to objectives of protecting and safeguarding the country’s independence, national sovereignty, unity, peace and reconciliation and healing in our country,” Riny stated.

Photo: Justice Ambrose Riny Thiik (left), a leading figure in the 'Jieng Council of Elders'