Residents of Malakal town in Upper Nile State have been gripped by fear and panic following rumours of an impending attack by armed civilians from Nasir County and surrounding areas.
The anxiety stems from the recent deployment of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) to Nasir County, located 185 kilometres from Malakal. Military officials have described the move as part of a routine troop rotation.
Reports indicate that some elements of the recently integrated Agwelek forces, led by Gen. Johnson Olony, as well as members of a local militia, are among the SSPDF forces sent to Nasir.
Authorities, including the state governor, police commissioner, and military officials, have moved swiftly to reassure citizens, urging calm and dismissing the rumours as baseless. They have emphasised that the deployment is a standard military operation and not a prelude to conflict or disarmament.
The panic began after SSPDF forces left Malakal for Nasir on barges earlier this week to replace troops stationed there for an extended period.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Mayen, the Upper Nile State Police Commissioner, stated that the deployment is part of a government plan and is not subject to change. However, the movement of troops has fuelled rumours of potential clashes in Nasir, with fears that violence could spill over into Malakal.
“After the barges left, we saw citizens deserting the town in panic,” Maj. Gen. Mayen said. “We want to reassure them that the police are deployed to protect citizens in Malakal. There is no need for panic, and nothing will happen in Malakal.”
He appealed to the public to remain calm and continue their daily activities, stressing that security forces are committed to maintaining peace and stability.
Maj. Gen. Michael Majok, the Division Two Commander, echoed these sentiments, clarifying that the troop rotation is a routine military exercise and not indicative of any disarmament campaign. He dismissed rumours suggesting that armed civilians in Nasir were planning to attack Malakal in retaliation for the SSPDF deployment.
“We are at peace in Malakal,” Maj. Gen. Majok said. “The rotation of forces is a standard practice and does not signify any escalation. We assure citizens there is no cause for alarm.”
Governor James Odhok Oyai also addressed the public, emphasizing the government’s commitment to peace and stability in Upper Nile State. He urged residents to ignore the rumours and trust in the authorities’ ability to maintain security.
“Our program is peace, and all levels of government are dedicated to peace,” Governor Oyai said. “We want to stop these rumours that cause instability. The deployment of SSPDF forces is a military matter and should not be a source of fear.”
The deployment has highlighted ongoing tensions between the SSPDF and armed civilians in Nasir, who have rejected the arrival of new forces from Malakal. Local communities in Nasir have called for a unified force to be sent to the area instead.
The 2018 peace agreement, signed by President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM/A-IO, mandated the unification of armed groups. However, progress has been slow, and political tensions remain high as the country prepares for its first post-independence elections, scheduled for December 2026.