The spokesman of the Upper Nile State government in South Sudan has questioned the loyalty of Major-General Johnson Olony to the army (SPLA).
Last week, an incident within Malakal developed into more serious clashes involving bodyguards of Governor Simon Kun Puoc and allied militia against forces under the ex-militia commander Johnson Olony.
Acting Upper Nile State Minister of Information Minister Gatluak Liphoth told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that citizens and government officials still fear that fighting could erupt at any time in the town.
However, he said the security situation is clam in Malakal. He said: “We heard via media that Johnson Olony didn’t defect, and we also heard from the Shilluk king the same thing. So if it is true we welcome him.”
“But if General Olony didn’t rebel, why doesn’t he go to the SPLA headquarters in Juba to explain what had triggered the fight with tanks and artilleries in the town?” he challenged.
“We don’t see any new developments with regards to this issue up to now,” he added.
Liphoth said they condemn what he termed a “barbaric attack” on Malakal city by the SPLA Major General Johnson Olony. The SPLA leadership has reportedly sent an investigation team headed by Lt. Gen. Garang Mabil to look into what caused the clashes.
They met recently with SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony and representatives of the Shilluk community at Lelo area on the west bank of the river Nile.
Johnson Olony is a Major General in the faction of the SPLA still loyal to President Salva Kiir. Olony formerly belonged to a loose rebel coalition called SSDM/A which fought the South Sudanese government from 2011 into 2013.
Meanwhile, Presidential Press Secretary Ateny Wek Ateny confirmed that a high-level military investigation committee was dispatched to Malakal town last week.
He told Radio Tamazuj that the committee is still mediating between the parties involved including the SPLA Major-General Johnson Olony.
The press secretary predicted the mediation committee will submit its final report to President Salva Kiir in late May.
“You know, the mediation between armed groups is not easy, so for the committee to summit its report and recommendations may take time,” he said.
Related:
Shilluk king: ‘Olony and his forces have not rebelled’ (1 May)
General Olony says ‘no problem’ in Malakal (24 April)