South Sudan army announces victory in Malakal

Khartoum – South Sudanese army Friday announced the end of fighting in Malakal, the capital city of Upper Nile state, with a victory over the forces loyal to former South Sudanese vice-president Riek Machar after four days of violent clashes.

“The fighting ended at 12:00 p.m.,” Philip Aguer, South Sudanese army’s spokesperson, told Xinhua.

“The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has achieved a great victory over the forces loyal to Machar. We are a hundred percent in control of Malakal town,” he said.

Violent clashes erupted in South Sudan earlier this month between two military factions, one descending from the Dinka tribe to which South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit belongs, and the other descending from the Nuer tribe to which sacked former vice-president Machar belongs.

Machar was sacked from his post a few months ago and has been accused of plotting against the government since the eruption of the clashes within the military.