Upper Nile deputy governor says Maban community wants SPLA-IO relocate its base from Liang

JUBA – The Maban Community in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state is asking South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLA-IO, to relocate its base from Liang to a more suitable location, according to the Upper Nile state’s deputy governor Tor Monybuny.

It was not clear why the community is asking for relocation of the SPLA-IO base, but there have been clashes between community youth and some parties including the SPLA-IO and the SSPDF in Maban that led to looting of a market there.

The South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition have in most occasions traded accusations of attacking civilians in the area which has been in relative peace since outbreak of war in 2013.

Speaking to the media following a meeting with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny who is also the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the SPLA-IO, Monybuny said he discussed with Machar the resolution of the conflict in Maban with Machar.

He said one of the issues discussed with Machar was the request by the community there that the main armed opposition group have its base relocated from Liang where it is currently located to a different location.

“We discuss how to resolve conflict in Maban and one of it was to relocate the IO cantonment sides from Liang and I have delivered the letter written by community letter requesting Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar to relocate the IO cantonment sites to other place,” Monybuny said.

The senior Upper Nile state government official who arrived in Juba earlier this week following a peace mission to Maban said he has also briefed the first vice president over his visit and how to resolve the dispute in the area.