Jonglei leaders condemn massive destruction of Bor town
January 20, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan Jonglei state officials have described as “devastating” the massive destruction they witnessed during an assessment carried in the aftermath of the army seizure of the town from rebel forces on Saturday.
“It was a real devastation and destruction that cannot be done by leaders of South Sudan,” Wal said on Monday.
“The destruction was everywhere. Houses were burnt down even the house of governor [which] was not burnt down during 21 years of war with northerners,” Wal added, describing it as “intentional.”
South Sudan army recaptured Bor, which was controlled by rebels loyal to former vice president, Riek Machar for over two weeks.
John Kony Nyuon, Jonglei’s caretaker governor, said he was surprised when he reached the state capital.
“One could not expect such [a] thing should happen,” said Nyuon.
“Somebody who thinks [he] wants to become a leader of this country and also to make such destruction; destroying all the documents; these are the history of the country,” he remarked.
A rebel spokesman on Saturday described Bor as “a ghost town”, but claimed their forces withdrew from it to “lure” pro-government forces into the capital.
(ST)