Fighting that broke out since yesterday night within Malakal town of Upper Nile State between different units of government troops and allied militias has resulted in dozens of casualties of both pro-government troops and civilians.
Preliminary reports suggested the fighting started last night between Governor Simon Kun’s bodyguards and SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony’s troops. Clashes today spread to involve also Dinka militia from Akoka County and other SPLA units from outlying outposts that reinforced units in the city trying to quell the fighting.
Meanwhile, at least four citizens were reported killed within the town.
A military commander who preferred anonymity explained that the fighting turned tribal in Malakal town. The bodyguards of the governor – who is himself a Nuer – were joined by Dinka ‘white army’ from Akoka County in fighting against Olony’s forces, he said.
The source said that SPLA troops and ‘white army’ used four SPLA tanks to pursue other troops under the command of SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony’s forces, saying lives were lost on both sides.
Another government official from Upper Nile who preferred anonymity said what is taking place in Upper Nile is tribal. “What is going aims at turning the conflict… into fighting between Dinka and Shilluk tribes,” he said.
A local citizen within the town told Radio Tamazuj that the Dinka ‘white army’ blocked the road leading to the UN base. Another source further said some state ministers, commissioners and members of the state parliament fled to the UN base in Malakal since yesterday night.
According to an aid worker, about 900 civilians overall have fled into the UN base. Much of the civilian population had already been living in this base, as the town had been largely abandoned by its residents since last year.
An aid worker for medical organization MSF said they did not yet treat any wounded people but were preparing for a possible influx of wounded people. Their facilities are located within the UN base on the outskirts of town.
However, a UN official said five members of the governor’s staff were brought to the UN hospital for medical treatment, noting “these appear to have been bodyguards of the governor, who were wounded when his residence was shelled before daybreak.”
Meanwhile, a police source said some police elements joined in with the ‘white army’ that is fighting Olony’s forces. The security situation is still tense amid heavy deployment of troops within the town.
A military sources said that Dinka forces are controlling Hai Jalaba neighbourhood and other peripheral suburbs, while Olony’s Shilluk forces are stationed at Rei Al Masri.
SPLA General Headquarters has been in contact with units on both sides, according to the army spokesman. Speaking at a press conference in Juba today the spokesman Col. Philip Aguer insisted that the forces under General Olony’s command remain loyal in spite of the clashes.
“The rumor that Johnson Olony defected is a lie and a cheap propaganda… the Chief of General Staff Paul Malong Awan has been in contact with General Johnson Olony since the incident started and throughout the day, the SPLA command is organizing an investigation team to go to Malakal and investigate into the causes of this incident…”
However, the army spokesman did not give detailed information about the parties involved in the fighting suggesting the army headquarters was not aware of all the particulars: “What we need to establish is who is fighting who,” he said.
As to reports of a division of the forces into tribal groupings, Aguer acknowledged, “There is a bit of polarization of the grouping in Malakal…”
More coverage:
Dinka militia join in fighting in Malakal
Fighting within government forces in Malakal