The SPLM-DC is not involved in the heavy fighting between the SPLA and some armed elements that took place near Malakal yesterday, the party leader said.
The SPLA claimed that the fighting forces were affiliated to the SPLM-DC.Speaking to SCR News from Khartoum over the phone, Lam Akol denied that his party is in anyway related to the militia involved in the fighting, saying the SPLM-DC does not have a military wing.
He added that the accusation is part of a smear campaign against his party.
Sunday’s fighting took place in a village near Owuac, an area that is home of Dr. Akol’s Shilluk ethnic group.
Both the government of Upper Nile and SPLA said a man known as Oliny was responsible for the attack, and he was known to be commanding forces loyal to Dr. Akol.
The SPLM-DC leader dismissed the allegations saying the clashes were the result of land disputes in the region.
Officials in Juba have often leveled serious accusations to the Khartoum government for allegedly arming South rebels in an attempt to destabilize the region.
Mr. Akol said Khartoum has nothing to do with the clashes that were over the control of land.
SPLA spokesman Phillip Aguer Panyang said over the phone that it is still unclear who or what triggered the fighting yesterday in Upper Nile.
He added that seven SPLA and 47 rebels died in the clashes that started in the market at 11 AM.
A local source said Malakal residents were forced to keep yet another curfew last night due to the clashes.