Security situation improves in WES’s Mvolo County – deputy governor
By Richard Ruati
July 8, 2009 (MVOLO) – Nearly six months since Mvolo County was rocked by insecurity caused by tribal fighting,” security in the county has largely improved,” – says the deputy governor of Western Equatoria state.
Col Joseph Ngere made these remarks after a brief visit to the region to assess the security situation there. He was accompanied by State Director of southern Sudan relief body, SSRRC, Mr. Lexson Wari Amuzai, and an MP from Mvolo and UN officials, who had organized the trip.
The trip also took the security assessment team to Maridi, given the recent attacks by the Ugandan LRA rebels in the county.
Speaking at Yambio air strip, Col Ngere said “the short trip to Mvolo was to have an overview of the security situation there following tribal clashes that took place earlier this year.” He added that the security situation is now normal.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) need to go back to their homeland, but need full protection, a matter that the “State Government is looking forward to implement and take care of.”
Ngere described the security improvement in Mvolo as positive development during the critical times of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) implementation.
However, Mvolo County is facing severe drought, according to a report from the county authority. There have never been single drop of rain since May until to date, the report said.
Meanwhile Col Ngere stressed that, “both counties of Mvolo and Maridi need serious attention and intervention.” He pledged “the state government is going to do its best to resolve the problems in the two counties.”
In related development the deputy governor confirmed that Maridi County is unstable at the moment due to the recent LRA attacks two days ago.
He said the clandestine attack by the Ugandan rebels in Embe, six miles away from Maridi Airstrip, killed one civilian and LRA rebels abducted four persons until now their whereabouts are not known.
SPLA and local self defense militia, Arrow boys, repulsed the attackers, and continue to follow them in the areas where LRA rebels are being spotted.
Most of the LRA have crossed to Central Africa now.
(ST)