Government Admits Sharing Control Of Malakal Authorities in the hostile Upper Nile State have admitted that rebel fighters are sharing the town of Malakal with the government forces. 19 February 2014
By Ariik Atekdit *JUBA, 19 February 2014 [Gurtong] -* The Commissioner of Manyo County, Lt. Col Atheif Ajang refuted the reports that rebels are controlling the whole state capital, Malakal. "SPLA forces have not withdrawn from Malakal. What has happened is that Machar's forces have entered Malakal to the central town while SPLA are in the southern and northern parts of Malakal," Ajang said. While citizens in Malakal's UNMISS compound reported that a very serious heavy fight has been taking place whole of last night till morning. A citizen who is currently hiding in the UNMISS compound said rebels are the one controlling areas at UN Compound vicinity. The Acting Governor, Hon. Philip Akol Amon who is also the minister of cabinet and parliamentary affairs now in Kodok told Gurtong on phone that details on the ongoing fighting in Malakal will be availed today at 4pm. Akol also admitted that the town is being shared. The rebel Commander in Upper Nile General Gathoth Gatkuoth who appointed himself a Military Governor when the town fell under his control said he will not be part of the Cessation of Hostilities signed between rebels and the government in Juba but he would be determined to pursue the war against the government. Gurtong has not been able to get any comment from the rebel forces in the state as possible contact persons are difficult to get. Rebels are controlling four counties of Nasir, Ulang, Maiwut and Longechuk and battling SPLA forces over the state Capital. Since mid-December the conflict broke out in Juba, the Capital of South Sudan which the government blamed on the ex-vice president Dr. Riek Machar of plotting a "Coup" against President Salva Kiir's Government however, Dr. Riek said it was a presidential guards' quarrel. Posted in: Home<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/1/Home.aspx> , Governance<http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ctl/CategoryView/mid/519/categoryId/6/Governance.aspx> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14or_iY2E-3qGY01n%3D_EL1qOWPbnX9_bjajMJCxTRea8nnw%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
