South Sudan's army captured Malakal in March, the capital of the oil-producing Upper Nile state, from rebel forces, bringing all the oil fields in the country under the full control of the government, according to army spokesman Colonel Philip Aguer. "The SPLA captured Malakal … after two days of heavy fighting," he said, referring to the South Sudan army. "I can confirm that the oil fields in Upper Nile state are safe. In fact both the oil fields in Upper Nile and Unity states are now in the firm control of the government," Colonel Aguer said. Malakal has changed hands several times since violence erupted in Africa's newest country when a section of the presidential guards backing former vicepresident Riek Machar attempted to topple President Salva Kiir in December 2013. The violence then spread quickly to the oil-rich states of Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile. The violence has reduced oil production in the country by about a third.
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