Opposition forces in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State attacked Akoka during an advance northward near the country’s last still-producing oil fields, according to a local source and a rebel official.
Akoka County Information Officer Bol Ador reported fighting in Akoka both on Sunday and yesterday. He said that 35 houses were burned and a medical clinic and county office were destroyed. He said the civilians fled to the bush.
The source told Radio Tamazuj the opposition forces after overruning Akoka headed toward Melut. There were clashes 25 kilometers from Melut, he said. “The area where there were clashes is called Tangrial,” he said, later clarifying that the actual clashes took place near Tangrial but not actually at Tangrial itself.
It is also reported that a chief (omda) named Mabong Monyluak was killed yesterday during the attack.
Separately, James Gatdet, the spokesman of SPLM-IO Chairman Riek Machar, said that their forces pursued government forces “up to the oilfields” this Tuesday morning. He told Radio Tamazuj that Akoka was captured on Sunday and the Tangrial Bil refinery site was captured today.
Gatdet acknowledged that the refinery was not functional because it was still under construction, clarifying that the significance of the capture of the refinery site was its proximity to the oil fields.
The rebel spokesman said that the opposition forces in the area are under the overall command of General Johnson Olony, who defected from government ranks just days ago but has not declared his loyalty to SPLM-IO. However, Gatdet claimed there were other SPLM-IO field commanders involved in the operations alongside Olony.
In a press statement, Gatdet also called on oil companies to close down and immediately evacuate workers operating in Upper Nile. “We also ask them to do the process of closing down in a safe manner that will not damage the oil facilities and cause environmental damage.”
Asked whether the rebel group had met with the oil companies about this, he said that the SPLM-IO office in Khartoum would meet oil company representatives there.
Radio Tamazuj attempted to contact South Sudan’s petroleum ministry for comment but they were not available.
In Melut and Paloich, some citizens have also reportedly left the area fearing possible attack.