The Upper Nile State government has dismissed reports of an alleged ongoing mobilization by armed groups to attack the state capital, Malakal town.
The reaction by the government comes after several rights and faith-based groups, and the Trokia (United Kingdom. The United States, and Norway) expressed concerns about reports of armed groups mobilizing in Upper Nile State, particularly in the Malakal Protection of Civilians (PoC) site, to fight.
However, while speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday evening, Upper Nile State Information Minister Luk Sadhalla Deng said the reports were unfounded and alarmist.
“We are shocked by these reports. They are not true and no mobilization is going on in the state,” he stressed. “What happened a week ago or so, was that there was a cattle raid in Abuong Payam in Baliet County and this was an isolated incident because security forces were dispatched there immediately. It was a raid by a group of about 15 youth.”
Minister Luk, disclosed that security remained heightened since last month’s inter-communal clashes in the Malakal POC and assured residents of the government’s commitment to providing protection.
“Since the last incident, the security situation has been calm in the state. We have been engaging the rival communities and they have since committed to peace,” he said. “However, as a government, we will not ignore these reports of mobilization. We will beef up the security further although there is nothing like a planned attack.”