South Sudan’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Paul Nang, visited Malakal to assess the security situation following clashes between government troops and Nuer armed youth, known as the White Army, in parts of Upper Nile State.
Nang, a close ally of President Salva Kiir, was accompanied by Lieutenant General Johnson Olony, the assistant chief of defense forces for disarmament and mobilization, along with other senior military officials.
His security visit—the first since fighting erupted between government forces and the White Army in March—was seen as an effort to bolster troop morale. The army on Thursday captured Ulang County, located about 152 kilometers (94 miles) from the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal.
The trip comes amid heightened security tensions in Malakal, where residents fear potential attacks by the White Army. However, state authorities dismissed rumors of an imminent assault, insisting the town remains secure.
“As we speak, the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Paul Nang, and his deputy, Gen. Johnson Olony, are with us in Malakal,” Upper Nile Information Minister James Basha Tiwa told Radio Tamazuj on Friday.
“This reassures residents that the town is calm,” he added.
Tiwa said government forces had full control over Malakal and surrounding areas, including Ulang County, which was retaken on Thursday. “The White Army looted the town of Ulang while fleeing, but it was captured with no resistance,” he said.
He denied social media reports of White Army advances toward Malakal, calling them “a blatant lie.” He acknowledged an attempted attack by SPLA-IO forces and White Army elements from Jonglei State near Owachi village but said they were repelled.
Residents, however, remain anxious.
Nyandeng Kuol, a Malakal resident, said many displaced people were arriving from conflict-affected areas. “We hear fighting is getting closer,” she said.
State Police Commissioner Major General Joseph Mayen Akon urged calm, assuring that security forces were in control. “A small White Army group attacked Tonga, but our infantry and air force responded,” he said. “They are now being pursued.”