Jonglei residents celebrate SPLA takeover of Malakal town

May 25, 2015 (BOR) – Residents of South Sudan’s Jonglei state celebrated Monday’s takeover by the army of the Upper Nile state capital, Malakal from the armed opposition.

Several youth and the elderly gathered near television sets in the different hotels as news about the SPLA’s victory graced the state-owned SSTV.

Malakal, a key town north of Juba, fell to rebels under the command of Gen. Johnson Olony, a militia leader initially loyal to the South Sudanese government, last week.

The South Sudanese army (SPLA) had, prior to entering Malakal, given the armed opposition rebels a 72-hour ultimatum to completely pull out of the oil-rich capital.

RESIDENTS REACT

“This is the message to the world that SPLA stood its ground to defend the people of South Sudan and their properties including the oil fields in Upper Nile state. The SPLA has to pursue the rebels to the point of no return”, said Panchol Malok Deng.

Ayuen Deng Majak, a youthful teacher in Bor, said the population would be relieved from stress following the capture of Malakal town.

“The issue of Malakal had been dominating discussion in offices and even at social arenas in Bor where we play different games, chess, dominoes and others. We brainstormed on how to capture Malakal and what it needs to retake it. Many blamed the SPLA as to why they gave Olony these powerful guns,” Majak told Sudan Tribune.

“Nobody knew that the fight to retake it would be as simple as [Philip] Aguer said. Allow me say congratulations to the SPLA”, he added.

The army, its spokesperson said, never encountered resistance while moving to take control of the Upper Nile state capital on Monday.

(ST).