South Sudan to “disarm” rebels after recapturing Malakal
May 25, 2015 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese army (SPLA) has vowed to disarm all government-turned rebel fighters after they regained full control of Malakal, the Upper Nile state capital on Monday.
“We [SPLA] captured Malakal this morning,” the minister told reporters shortly after he was summoned by the council of states.
“We have to disarm those who took up guns because if they opted to take up guns, then we must meet them with guns,” he added.
Malakal fell under forces loyal to Johnson Olony, a militia commander affiliated to the Juba government last week. Olony’s forces later advanced towards the country’s main oilfields of Paloch, capturing Melut, a town located about 30 km from the oil territory.
The army has now regained full control Melut after flashing out rebels.
The defence minister, however, described the continued fighting in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states as the “work of negative forces.”
“We will move on them wherever they go and clear the country from the armed groups. We will do so everywhere,” stressed Juuk.
“We will move everywhere and disarm everybody who is carrying guns. Whether it is organized or unorganized [forces], anybody carrying guns unlawfully, we will take these guns,” he added.
The African Union condemned renewed clashes between the warring factions, calling for sanctions on those obstructing peace talks and an arms embargo on South Sudan.
(ST)