Twic East Commissioner criticises UNMISS

September 3, 2013 (BOR)- The Commissioner for Twic East County, Dau Akoi, has criticised the decision of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan(UNMISS) not to send peace keepers to protect civilians in the county.

“We really condemn UNMISS for taking that decision because Twic East County is also threatened. Up to now there is a presence of armed men in our county,’’ Dau Akoi told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday, shortly after a meeting with None Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the county.

According to Akoi, UNMISS announced last week that Twic East was not among the areas where UN peace keeping troops would be deployed to protect civilians.

The commissioner says because of security reasons he has been forced to suspend communal activities to enable the youth to remain focused on protecting their communities.

The last time an attack occurred in Twic East, seven people were killed in Alelei while five others were injured. As a result, about 15,000 from Alelei were forced to flee to Maar for safety. The violence, the commissioner says, is reason why UNMISS should have sent peace keepers in his county to protect civilians.

Commissioner Akoi also cautioned that there is a possibility of famine breaking out in his country this year due to heavy rain which he says has washed away crops in Lith, Kongoor and Nyuak payams.

In his meeting with NGO’s operating in Twic East, the Commissioner further said there is a strong need for a bank in the county. He said Kenya Commercial Bank(KCB) and Equity Bank, which already have branches in Bor, are being lobbied to open branches in Twic East.

(ST)