By Chuol Chanyong

The Governor of Upper Nile State, James Koang Chuol, confirmed the arrest of at least 14 youths in Malakal town following the Sunday incident in which two individuals were assaulted by suspected criminals at the main market.  

Koang denied any claims of ethnic targeting in the incident, including rumours of widespread violence against members of the Nuer tribe in Malakal.

“There was no ethnic targeting. They attacked anyone in the market. These were criminal acts by a few individuals using machetes, and the situation is now under control.”

He made the statement during an exclusive interview with Eye Radio on Monday.

Koang further said that the suspects have been accused of being involved in a violent robbery that left one person hospitalized with injuries and another with minor wounds.

The governor added that the attackers were youths wandering in the area armed with machetes and under the influence of alcohol.

“They were wandering the market and assaulting anyone. They were all arrested and taken to court as civilians. The number of injured was not high, only two with minor injuries,” he said.

“One victim, who came from Renk, was beaten and robbed by the youths but was discharged from the hospital after treatment. The other has also recovered.”  

Yual Gatkuoth, Executive Director of the African Peacemakers Alliance, noted that his rights group observed widespread fear among Malakal residents, with some fleeing to rural areas.

Gatkuoth, who was in Malakal last week, reported escalating hate speech against a specific ethnic group due to the ongoing conflict.

“People are panicking and fleeing in all directions. When I contacted individuals in those areas, they told me they were hiding,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO)  Edmund Yakani on Sunday issued a statement condemning the incidence and advised the residents of Malakal to embrace peaceful co-existence.

“We have seen incidences of targeted killing in Malakal Town. We have seen extrajudicial killings taking place in Malakal Town, and we are getting information that a further similar deadly violence may occur in Malakal Town and some parts of Upper Nile State as we have been following what has recently happened in some parts of Upper Nile State,” Yakani explained.

“As a civil society activist, I would like to communicate to sons and daughters of Upper Nile State that whether you like it or you don’t like it, you have to peacefully co-exist,” he said.