Gov’t dismisses reports of armed mobilization to attack Malakal

MALAKAL, JULY 3, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The government of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State has dismissed reports of armed youth mobilization in the countries to attack the state capital Malakal where an IDP camp is located.

A number of senior government officials last week told Sudans Post that armed mobilization of Agwelek forces was taking place in Fashoda to attack the Malakal POC. Others also say there was mobilization of armed youth in Nasir, Ulang and some areas in northern Jonglei.

In a statement, the United States, United Kingdom, and Norway expressed concerns over reports of the armed youth mobilization and called on those with influence to deescalate the tensions to spare civilians’ life.

But in an interview with Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Upper Nile state information minster Luk Sadhalla Deng denied the reports.

“We are shocked by these reports. They are not true and no mobilization is going on in the state,” he stressed.

“What happened a week ago or so, was that there was a cattle raid in Abuong Payam in Baliet County and this was an isolated incident because security forces were dispatched there immediately. It was a raid by a group of about 15 youth,” he added.

The senior government official said that security remained heightened since last month’s inter-communal clashes in the Malakal POC and assured residents of the government’s commitment to providing protection.

“Since the last incident, the security situation has been calm in the state. We have been engaging the rival communities and they have since committed to peace,” he said.

“However, as a government, we will not ignore these reports of mobilization. We will beef up the security further although there is nothing like a planned attack,” he added.