The governent of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State has denied reports of clashes near the capital Malakal on Tuesday, though other sources confirmed outbursts of gunfire were heard that day.

A source told Radio Tamazuj that there were clashes within the SPLA ranks in Obua village east of the town of Malakal at around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, which continued for about half an hour. The incident was reportedly instigated by a misunderstanding within the troops stationed in the area.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday, the Upper Nile Information Minister Philip Jiben Ogal denied this saying, “There were no clashes between the SPLA soldiers. What happened was that about four soldiers went out to hunt in the neighbourhood of Mohamed Ajack area without permission from the local authorities, they started lighting a water source with a torch at night, a matter which prompted shooting by the soldiers.”

"The SPLA soldiers in the town got prepared after receiving the report about those suspected people, this is why many citizens became too scared  in the town,” he added.

He claimed that the security situation is still calm and stable in Malakal town and its environs, though other sources have confirmed the area is largely deserted by the civil population.

In the wake of the reported shooting in Obua village, several citizens who were staying around the area fled their homes to seek safe refuge, according local sources.

The state minister reiterated the government’s commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement signed with the rebels on 9 May.

File photo: A tank at the Malakal runway, 30 December 2013 (AP)