A lawmaker and politician from the Shilluk (Chollo) community in Upper Nile state has raised concerns over ongoing fighting in Panyikang County and nearby villages close to Malakal, the state capital.
Panyikang County borders Malakal County to the northeast, Baliet County to the east, Pariang County to the west, Jonglei state’s Fangak and Pigi counties to the south, and Sudan to the north.
Rebecca Joshua Okwachi, a national lawmaker representing Panyikang County in the transitional legislative assembly, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that a White Army militia group from Jonglei state — a Nuer civilian force — had attacked Panyikang, with clashes reaching villages near Malakal County.
She said fighting broke out Sunday in the villages of Nyiluak, Pakwa and Obai, north of Panyikang County. By Monday, she said, the attackers were nearing Uwachi village, just a few kilometers from Malakal.
“As you know very well, Uwachi is not far from Malakal — you can even walk there,” she said. “These incidents have caused fear, forcing many people to flee to the U.N. camp, while others are on the western bank of the river or in swamps.”
Rebecca, a former national minister who held multiple government positions in Juba, also accused forces from the SPLA-IO, led by detained First Vice President Riek Machar, of involvement in the attacks.
“In March, SPLA-IO forces and allied militias attacked Tonga, the headquarters of Panyikang, which led to a split among the Necessary Unified Forces there,” she said. “As a result, the SPLA-IO captured Tonga.”
She said the assault forced many residents to flee to El Liri in Sudan’s South Kordofan state. Initial reports indicated around 3,000 people were displaced, though the number later rose to 5,000 or more, she added.
Villages in northern Panyikang County, including Nyiluak, Pakwa and Obai, have also seen civilian displacement since Sunday, according to Rebecca.
“I spoke with our Panyikang County commissioner, who is currently in Tonga, and he briefed me on the situation of civilians and the ongoing fighting in northern villages,” she said. “Recently, a boat carrying people fleeing the violence was attacked and robbed.”
The lawmaker said the Chollo community issued a statement today in Malakal condemning attacks by the White Army from Jonglei state, warning that the violence seen in Nasir and Ulang counties could spread to Panyikang.
“I fear that if what is happening in Panyikang is not controlled, it will mirror the situation in Nasir,” Rebecca said. “It may not stop at Panyikang — it could reach Malakal because if you reach Uwachi, you are not far from Malakal.”
Rebecca urged SPLA-IO forces to withdraw from Tonga and called on the government and humanitarian agencies to assist affected families in Panyikang and those arriving in Malakal.
SPLA-IO officials in Upper Nile could not immediately be reached for comment.