Several residents of Malakal, the capital of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, have reported alleged targeted attacks, with members of the Nuer ethnic group saying they live in fear amid heightened tensions.
According to the residents, this follows ongoing clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the White Army in Ulang County, approximately 152km from Malakal. However, police authorities have denied the allegations, stating that the security situation remains normal.
The White Army, a group primarily composed of Nuer fighters, has been engaged in conflict with government forces in parts of Upper Nile State since February.
A journalist, who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said: “According to the reports I have received, seven individuals were attacked in the market and other areas within Malakal today. One young person was beaten in the market, and people fear the situation may remain tense due to the fighting in Ulang County.”
A local activist, who identified himself only as Lam, claimed that some youths had been detained by security forces, including his relative, Kim Goi Gai, a humanitarian worker, on Thursday. “Gai was detained on suspicion of being in contact with the White Army,” he alleged.
When asked whether Nuer community members were being targeted in Malakal, Lam said some Nuer youths had been beaten by members of a local militia. He expressed concerns over “ethnic profiling” amid the clashes in Ulang County.
Another resident reported that seven individuals, including a woman, had been attacked in different neighbourhoods, with one young man assaulted in the market. “We only recorded seven cases and don’t know of any other incidents. We in Malakal are living in fear. We accuse members of the Abushok militia of carrying out attacks against a specific community. They wear plain clothes and move through Malakal’s neighbourhoods,” he said.
An eyewitness, who gave his name as John, described an attack today: “This morning, some youths armed with pangas [machetes] carried out attacks. I saw two people bleeding after being assaulted. They were taken to Malakal Teaching Hospital—one was hit in the head, another stabbed with a knife.”
When asked about security in Malakal, John replied: “People are moving cautiously, especially in our area of Bulukat. The root of the problem is the fighting in Ulang between the SSPDF and the White Army.”
Police Deny Allegations
Upper Nile State Police Commissioner Gen. Mayen Akon told Radio Tamazuj that only one incident had been recorded by the police—an individual attacked and injured in the market. “We heard the victim was holding money, but I can confirm it was not a fight. He was taken to hospital after filing a police report,” he said.
When questioned about claims of attacks targeting the Nuer community, Police Commissioner Mayen dismissed them as untrue, stating that Malakal’s security situation remained stable. “We visited the market after the incident, and everything was normal. The victim received treatment, but I am unsure if the attacker was arrested,” he added.
Broader Conflict Context
The clashes in Ulang County occur amid wider political and military tensions between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar, who is currently detained in Juba.
Kiir and Machar are signatories to a fragile 2018 peace deal that established a transitional unity government in 2020.
Last month, the White Army—which the government alleges has ties to Machar—seized control of Nasir town in Upper Nile State, resulting in multiple casualties, including an SSPDF commander.
The violence has prompted President Kiir’s administration to detain Machar and several of his allies.