The Dinka Apadang community in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State has rejected the decision taken by Governor Simon Kun Puoc earlier this month to relocate the state capital temporarily to Renk town.

Ramadan Chan, head of the Apadang community, told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the decision taken by the governor could jeopardise the relative stability witnessed by the area.

The Apadang community resolved that if the capital is relocated to Renk then the violence witnessed in Malakal will repeat itself in Renk, according to Ramadan.

The community leader accused the state government and SPLA army of failing to protect civilians in Upper Nile.

“The failure is very clear because within a year Malakal changed hands five times. So it is the same leadership and the same security. The same thing will happen in Renk town,” he said.

Ramadan pointed out that Renk County lies on the border with Sudan, which he said disqualifies it to be the capital city of Upper Nile State.

“As you know that Renk is not far from the border with Sudan, even the tarmac road comes from Khartoum to Renk. So it will be very easy for the enemy to enter Renk," he said.

File photo: Renk at dusk