SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony, whose forces clashed with the Upper Nile State governor’s security guards and Dinka militia in Malakal town in April, said the situation has calmed.

“The problem is resolved, so there is no any problem now unless somebody else wants to cause another problem," he said in an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj this morning. "For my part, I can assure you that there is no any problem at all."

Olony downplayed any mounting tensions, saying his forces are now stationed in the southern part of Malakal town according to their agreement with the SPLA leadership.

He further denied knowledge about movements of SPLA troops in anticipation of possible clashes with his forces at any time in Malakal town.

"I don’t have any information about reinforcement of SPLA forces in Malakal because we are still part of the government. So up to now we are waiting for a peaceful settlement," he explained. 

Olony pointed out that they have communications with the SPLA commander in Malakal town. He added local citizens are still sheltering in the UN base in Malakal in fear for their lives, but they go the town during the day.

Mediation committee’s fate

The ex-militia commander denied any fact-finding committee working to mediate between him and the SPLA following the April clashes in Malakal.

“I haven’t seen any committee came to us up to now, but they promised that a military fact finding committee will come to us here. So we are still waiting," the general said.

The SPLA headquarters recently claimed it sent an investigation team headed by Lt Gen Garang Mabil to look into the clashes. The committee reportedly met with SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony at Lelo area on the west bank of the Nile.

Olony emphasised the importance of peace between communities and called upon the SPLM-IO rebels to accept peace for the sake of stability in South Sudan.