Upper Nile government asks displaced persons to come out of UN camps
December 15, 2015 (JUBA) – Authorities in oil producing Upper Nile state in South Sudan have called on the internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking protection in the United Nations provided camps to return to their homes in Malakal town, state capital, claiming that security has already improved. However, the opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) said the time was not yet right.
Olony switched side after his militiamen clashed with gubernatorial forces in Malakal town, forcing more civilians to flee their homes after intensified fighting and sought refuge at the United Nations camp in the town.
Others, predominantly members of the Dinka tribe, fled to Dinka inhabited areas east and in the north west of the town and the situation forced the state administration to subsequently relocate to Renk, one of the state counties near the Sudanese border.
Minister Peter Hoth Tuach said Tuesday all government officials and employees had now returned to the headquarters of the state where it would operate and function as normal.
“Security situation in Malakal has improved. The government has returned. The first batch of our officials came on November 23 and the last group came on December 13, 2015. The government is here. The acting governor is here in Malakal,” he said.
“We are therefore calling on our people in the displaced camps, especially those in UNMISS [United Nations Mission in South Sudan] camp to come out and return to their homes. The cause of going to the camp was the insecurity but now the security situation has improved. There is no need to remain there,” he said.
The minister said the services the services being rendered to the IDPs in the UNMISS camps will be provided to them while in their homes.
The official said the government in the state was now considering convening a meeting with all humanitarian organisations in the area to return to Malakal and to ask them to continue to provide the same services they were providing to the displaced persons after they returned to their homes in town and elsewhere.
SPLM-IO REFUSES
However, officials of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) said the time was not ripe for the IDPs to return to their homes, saying necessary arrangements needed to be worked out first.
“No, we don’t encourage the IDPs in UNMISS camps to return to their homes at this point in time. Actually majority of them have lost their houses, destroyed by the war. They should wait in the camps until proper arrangements have been made first to ensure their security and continued provision of the necessary services while resettling them in their original homes or locations of choice,” said opposition leader’s spokesman, James Gatdet Dak.
He said it would be good for the transitional government of national unity to be formed first and take part in the arrangements for the return of IDPs and refugees.
(ST)