Upper Nile State

There is controversy between an army commander and the Commissioner of Manyo over the control of the County in Upper Nile state.

Manyo County Commissioner, Atheib Okech Ajang, has accused forces under General Ayuok Ogad Akol of deliberate destruction and displacement of civilians.

General Ayuok denies the claim, accusing the Commissioner of collaborating with the SPLA-in Opposition forces.

Commissioner Atheib claims that forces under Ayuok arrested government officials and MPs in the County after retaking it from the SPLA-in Opposition forces.

“In the headquarters in Wadakona rebel forces are still there and in Kaka forces of Ayouk Ogad are still there also, those are forces that were fighting against the government but signed peace,” he explained.

“Unfortunately, they’ve detained members of parliament and SPLM members; these forces did not agree fully with the government to join them in the national army.

“Their commander Major General Yohanis Okech has formed his own government in Kaka.  Unfortunately, they have started looting civilian properties and detained some.

“Their activity is like what the rebels are doing in Wadakona.”

However, General Ayouk Ogad Akol denies the allegations.

“Youth and all Manyo civilians don’t want Atheib, they say that Atheib is working with Riek rebels, because he left the town with his family without informing the people, and after he left, the town was attacked,” he said.

“Division 7 forces are saying that Atheib is the one who planned the attack; he called on the artillery units to disarm the other soldiers, and those who refused were killed in Kaka.

“My forces do not chase people away from the area; my forces are part of the government and part of Division 7 that are fighting along the government forces. So when the enemy comes, they attack both of us.”

The SPLA spokesperson Colonel Phillip Aguer did not have much to comment on the matter.

“Since Ayouk Ogad himself has confirmed that he is on the side of the government, there is no need for me to comment on that; that is enough for Ayouk Ogad.”

Authorities say most of the civilians from Manyo are seeking refuge in Fashoda and Renk Counties due to fighting between government forces and SPLA-in Opposition forces in Upper Nile state.