The government of the divided Upper Nile State has temporarily shifted its headquarters to Renk, the northernmost major town in South Sudan.

Malakal remains in the hands of opposition forces since being overrun in mid-February. The government has lost control over a number of other counties as well, though it still holds Melut, Paloich and claims to still have Akoka as well.

State Minister of Information Philip Jiben confirmed Radio Tamazuj today that the transfer of the capital will be a temporary arrangement “until the security problem in Upper Nile State, in Malakal, is resolved.” 

“That is the reason for the transfer of the capital to Renk,” noted Jiben.

“In a meeting with the Governor of Upper Nile State Simon Kuon Puoch and officials of the state government and legislative assembly, and all the important employees of the government, he decided that they should be temporarily relocated to Renk County,” explained the minister.

The government spokesman pointed out that Renk was a big city and that there were “no problems” there. He further said many officials were already in Renk while some were still in places such as Melut.

“We will stay there temporarily, until the security situation improves in Upper Nile – not permanently – we will not stay in Renk a long time,” he said, noting that once Malakal is recaptured the government will return there. 

Asked how many ministers in the state had defected to the opposition, Jiben said “There are ministers who are absent, but until now we are not knowing where they went, but we’re trying to confirm, we don’t know where they are.”

He mentioned that the whereabouts of the ministers of education and local government are unknown.

File photo: A street scene in Renk, Upper Nile State