David Nyang, Upper Nile Minister of Cabinet Affairs, now the Acting Governor. (Photo: Courtesy).

The Acting Governor in Upper Nile State has refuted allegations that a leadership vacuum in the state is to blame for the factional conflict that has killed dozens and displaced thousands of civilians.

David Nyang, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs who is currently the Acting Governor refuted the ‘leadership vacuum’ allegation.

“I think the use of the word leadership vacuum that resulted in the ongoing conflict is not appropriate,” he told Eye Radio on Monday.

On Friday a civil society activist in Upper Nile State slammed the governor and his deputy for having ruled the state from Juba and said their absence has worsened the security situation in the restive region.

John Lwong, Chairperson of the state civil society network said he is concerned with the recent clashes in Malakal, Panyikang, and Fashoda counties.

The activist made the comment following last week’s attack, in which 17 people including the elderly were reportedly killed in their houses by an armed militia group.

The factional clashes in oil-rich state, which involve armed youth as well as armed opposition actors, have displaced civilians into the Malakal Protection of Civilian Site.

But Nyang insists that there is effective leadership in the state, despite the absence of the governor and his deputy.

“It could be true that the governor and the deputy governor are in Juba doing a lot of activities, and it is not attributed to a leadership vacuum because first of all the conflict started when the governor and the deputy governor were here themselves.”

“As a matter of fact, I think there is effective leadership in Upper Nile because we have addressed the crisis head-on and we responded to the crisis and this has nothing to with leadership vacuum.”