General Olony confirms state government fled Malakal
SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony, whose forces reportedly clashed with the Upper Nile State governor’s security guards and Dinka militia in Malakal said that the state government fled the city though the situation has stabilized.
“The problem is resolved, so there is no any problem now. The security situation has returned to normal, and there is no fighting at all,” he said. In an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj yesterday, Olony said his forces are now stationed in the southern part of Malakal town.
The town is left to citizens and joint security units to provide security in the area, according to the SPLA senior officer. Olony vehemently denied claims that his forces burned down the governor’s office and other government institutions.
“These claims are untrue because the governor’s office and other institutions had been burned by the rebels. So how can we burn them again?” he asked.
The ex-militia commander confirmed that they are still having contacts with the SPLA chief of staff and the army headquarters in the country’s capital. He said that the SPLA forces are stationed in Malakal town.
He said that some Upper Nile government officials are still in Juba while others are still sheltering in the UN base. “We are all together without any problem between us, but the government officials fled in fear of their lives,” he confirmed.
Olony also accused some SPLA units of involvement in the recent clashes in Malakal town.
Kuol Manyang’s visit
Separately, SPLA Major-General Olony confirmed that the defence minister Kuol Manyang will be visiting the town soon. He pointed out that his advance team has already arrived in the town. However, his visit has been delayed as the SPLM acting secretary-general had announced that his arrival would be late las week.
Child abduction
Olony denied claims that he abducted schoolboys to join the army in Upper Nile.
“These are lies, we cannot abduct children. Why should we recruit children, while we have enough forces?” he asked. “The SPLA have laws that criminalize the recruitment of children into the armed forces,” he explained.
The senior SPLA officer stressed that army leadership will look into the claims by UNICEF. He added the army had formed an investigation committee into the matter. The committee visited Upper Nile and found out that there was no any single child in the army, according to Olony.
He called on the people of South Sudan to unite for the sake of peace and stability.
Related coverage:
General Olony says 'no problem' in Malakal (24 April)
Help for confused observers: 10 facts on the Malakal fighting (23 April)