Police in Upper Nile State say tensions are rising in Malakal, the state capital, as wounded government soldiers arrive following clashes with the White Army in Ulang County, approximately 152km from Malakal.
The White Army, a group primarily composed of Nuer youth, has been engaged in conflict with government forces in parts of Upper Nile State since February.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Mayen Akon, Upper Nile State’s police commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that criminal attacks had targeted two members of the Nuer ethnic group in Malakal but denied reports of widespread violence against Nuer residents.
“Over the past two days, police have recorded only two attacks, and we are working to apprehend those responsible,” he said. “Claims that many people were stabbed are untrue.”
He described the incidents: “Two days ago, a person was attacked with a machete in the market by criminals—these groups operate everywhere, including Juba, so this was not a targeted assault. Separately, on Saturday, a man was shot but survived and is receiving treatment. The governor has been briefed.”
When asked why criminal gangs—locally referred to as “Niggers”—appeared to be singling out certain communities in Malakal, Maj. Gen. Mayen said such groups target people indiscriminately, often stealing phones. However, he acknowledged that ongoing clashes between the army and the White Army militia had fueled fear.
“Malakal has a history of tribal conflict, which has left lasting trauma among communities,” he said. “Any reports of fighting elsewhere now trigger anxiety here.”
Despite the tensions, the police commissioner said the market remained open and the situation was calm, though residents were uneasy due to the arrival of wounded soldiers.
“We currently have injured soldiers receiving treatment in Malakal, but this should not alarm Nuer residents—they are under government protection,” he said. “While fear persists because of fighting in Ulang and Nasir, we assure them of their safety.”
He explained that the White Army had obstructed the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) from advancing into Nasir County, leading to sustained clashes. The presence of wounded soldiers in Malakal had heightened tensions, resulting in retaliatory attacks against some civilians by criminal elements. Security forces were pursuing the perpetrators, he added.
Mayen dismissed social media reports of mass casualties among Nuer civilians as “baseless,” though he confirmed some residents had fled to a civilian protection site. He said the situation had since stabilized, with markets functioning normally.
However, he noted that insecurity in eastern Upper Nile had undermined stability in Malakal, with misinformation on social media exacerbating fears. Restoring government control in Nasir, he said, would help secure the border with Ethiopia and improve overall security.
In a separate incident, Maj. Gen. Mayen said the police arrested four suspects Saturday for attempting to rob Ethiopian nationals in Malakal. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects may face prosecution, he added.