Malakal airport has reportedly been reopened after it was closed down last week over fighting between government and rebel forces.

The Upper Nile state Minister of Information, Philip Jibeni, said calm has returned in the town  and it has become necessary to reopen the state airport for flights from Juba.

Mr. Jibeni said aircraft from Juba have landed and taken off.

“People have started their work normally. I am at Malakal airport, we came to receive members of the committee from the Ministry of Health who were coming from Juba with some medicines for the state,” Mr. Jibeni told Eye Radio.

A resident of Malakal who spoke to Eye Radio confirmed that the situation is calm despite media reports of fighting in the town.

Simon Ochoub says he is comfortable moving about in the town.

“Really the situation in Malakal is totally safe, it is only some drunken soldiers that are still shooting but there is no fighting in Malakal. People are safe,” Ochoub said.

Markets in Malakal town have however been deserted and shops are still closed after rebels clashed with government forces last week.