Hunger affecting over 200 families in Jonglei’s Pigi County

By John Actually

March 20, 2011 (BOR) – A team of top Jonglei government officials who visited Canal and Khorfulus of Pigi County in northern Jonglei on March 20, have reported that severe hunger and food shortages is affecting over 200 displaced families caused by the rebellion of General Athor Deng.

The team consisted of the governor of Jonglei state Kuol Manyang Juuk, Speaker of Jonglei assembly Peter Chol Wall, law enforcement minister Gabriel Duop Lam, legal affairs minister Mayen Ohka , members of the state’s security committee, the commissioner for Pigi County and officials from the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

On his return from Pigi County to Bor Airport, governor Kuol told Sudan Tribune that welfare of over 200 displaced people from the villages formerly occupied by Renegade forces loyal to George Athor Deng was the main reason of his visit. He said women and children are starving and the lack of medical facilities is an additional problem.

“There are 200 families displaced from Koryai and other places and the number is still increasing. Even those who were not displaced had lost their food stuffs as they were looted by renegade forces. This population lacks food and medical facilities”, he said.

Manyang said his request for food and medical assistance to Canal and Khorfulus of Pigi County from World Food Program (WFP) and UNMIS has been accepted, adding WFP is ready to deliver food on Monday March 21.

“We appeal to UNMIS and WFP to deliver food and medical assistants to the needy people in Canal and Khorfulus. They have responded positively and tomorrow they will deliver food”, Manyang said.

Manyang told Sudan Tribune that Athor’s forces have been swept out of the area by South Sudan army (SPLA) saying the area is now under SPLA control. The governor asserted that he has called up on the renegade soldiers who are still in hiding to surrender their arms and go back to their families as the government of South Sudan has no intention to charge them of anything.

“We have told the people in Canal and Khorfulus to inform the soldiers who are still hiding to come and surrender their arms and uniforms. Nobody will charge them. Athor who misled them will carry the charges”.

Manyang said over 50 soldiers who were with George Athor have handed their guns to SPLA and are living In Ayod County.

The whereabouts of George Athor Deng, since he left his base in Khorfulus in late April last year before his forces attacked Dohlep near Upper Nile territory, is unclear.

Athor began his rebellion after he lost an election to become governor of Jonglei state to Kuol Manyang Juuk the incumbent.

Late last year South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir offered Athor and other armed groups in the region an amnesty from prosecution if they disarmed and rejoined the SPLA.

However, Athor, who is a former SPLA general, did not want his forces to have to disarm before being reintegrated and peace talks have not achieved a settlement.

Since the South’s vote for independence in January clashes between Athor and the SPLA and against civilians have caused hundreds of deaths.

Southern officials have repeated the allegation that Athor is being back by Khartoum in an effort to destabilize the region ahead of independence in July. Khartoum strongly denies the South’s allegations that it supports any armed groups in the region.

(ST)