The commander whose bodyguards clashed with those of the Upper Nile governor three days ago sparking fighting in Malakal says the situation has calmed down and he downplayed tribal tensions.
SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony, whose forces are mostly ethnic Shilluks, also says that he has no problem with the Dinka Akoka, whose militias had reportedly also clashed with Olony’s forces.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Miraya this morning, General Olony confirmed the fighting broke out after a disagreement between his guards and the governor’s guards on Tuesday night but says the matter has since been resolved.
“What I would like to tell the people of South Sudan is I am in contact with the SPLA authorities. I have just spoken with the Army Chief of Staff and he ordered me to withdraw my bodyguards and actually I am ready to come to Juba at any time. So there is no problem going on.”
He continued, “We have already cleared everything. Our forces are there in Malakal and my bodyguards are withdrawn. There is no tension up to now between us and those of Akoka. We are still one people. What happened is a criminal issue and the government is taking care of it. This is what I can tell you.”
Another official in Malakal, Upper Nile State Information Minister Gatluak Liphos told Radio Tamazuj today that the situation was more calm than yesterday but sporadic clashes were continuing. He also blamed Olony’s forces for waging attacks yesterday.
“The security is still not okay, the fighting is still continuing in Malakal. Today the clashes stopped a little but there is still shooting,” he said.
Liphos said that the office of the governor, ministries and government institutions had been set on fire. The minister noted that there had been heavy fires at shops yesterday. Another source in Malakal said he had not seen any signs of fire today but confirmed that there had been fires yesterday.
The minister said today there was some looting and sporadic firing into the air currently heard from the city but not any serious attacks ongoing.
He also confirmed that Olony’s forces still control parts of the city including Malakal neighborhood in the north of the city as well as the airport. “On the side of the airport are Olony’s forces,” he said.
Related:
Help for confused observers: 10 facts on the Malakal fighing (23 April)
Dinka militias join fighting in Malakal (22 April)
Factbox: South Sudan’s General Johnson Olony (28 Feb.)