(MALAKAL) – The government of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State has formally denied allegations that it intends to relocate the headquarters of Makal County from Malakal town to Wau Shilluk, following growing public concern and speculation on social media.
The rumours began circulating after Governor James Koang Chuol visited Wau Shilluk, a town in Ugod Payam, prompting some residents to believe this visit was a signal that state authorities were shifting the county headquarters. The absence of the Makal County Commissioner from the governor’s delegation only fuelled the suspicions further.
Malakal town currently serves as the administrative centre for both Upper Nile State and Makal County. Any attempt to alter its status is seen as a highly sensitive issue, particularly in a state with a complex political and ethnic landscape.
Peter Ngwojo Akwiny, Upper Nile State Minister of Information and official government spokesperson, firmly rejected the claims. Speaking to the press, he said that Governor Chuol’s visit was routine and part of a broader tour across the northern counties of the state.
“The Governor visits the northern counties of the state and, at the end of his trip, passes through all these areas. His passage through Wau Shilluk Payam is not an announcement that Wau Shilluk is the headquarters of Makal County,” said Akwiny.
He urged residents not to be misled by unverified posts on social media and stressed the importance of relying on official government communication channels.
“This is completely untrue,” he stated, adding, “As a member of the delegation, I deny this talk completely, and I call on people to exercise self restraint and not to exploit the governor’s visit to achieve a political agenda.”
Akwiny noted that the governor’s visit had triggered politically motivated reactions online, with some individuals making inflammatory remarks. He called such behaviour “unacceptable” and reiterated the administration’s commitment to openness and transparency.
This is not the first time the subject has sparked tension in the region. In 2021, a similar proposal by the previous state leadership met strong opposition from the public, eventually forcing the government to abandon any relocation plans.
