Jonglei government beefs up security ahead of Christmas
December 14, 2014 (BOR) – South Sudan’s Jonglei state is ramping up security measures in the capita, Bor, and other strategic areas ahead of Christmas to help protect displaced residents still sheltering inside UN camps.
“I assure you that in this year we will celebrate Christmas in peace, there is no fear at all,” Duot said.
He said displaced South Sudanese from Nuer communities living inside UN camps in Bor would be permitted to take part in part celebrations either inside or outside the protection sites in the spirit of togetherness and in a free atmosphere.
“I think there is no fear of those one because they are within the UN protection camp,” he said, adding that the Jonglei government and local residents were appealing to UNMISS to allow come displaced Nuer to return to their communities and resume their normal activities.
“The situation in UN camps is discouraging and we are calling on them and we are appealing to them to come out and celebrate the happy New Year with us,” Duot said.
John Joseph Abulla, who represents the former Pochalla area in the state assembly, now incorporated under the Greater Pibor Administration Area, said the New Year should be one of peace and prosperity.
“We are hoping that it (2015) would be a year of peace and reconciliation to come back to our country,” said Abulla.
“I think this time, as the government is preparing to set up the security in places, the past events will not happen this time again,” he added.
The comments follow the killing of three Ugandans in Bor on Wednesday.
Despite the incident, many Ugandans believe Christmas and New Year care a good opportunity to celebrate and boost trade.
“I can’t explain how Happy New Year and Christmas will be in this town. I expect the Christmas will be well because the conditions are now improving. My last message is I wish every person here in Bor a very good celebration,” Ugandan boda boda driver in Bor Evala Isaiah told the press on Friday.
Mary Nyanteng Chol, a roadside tea lady, said the crisis that started last year in December was brought on by people motivated by political power and self interest.
“God has [the] power to make our future a bright one. We will not leave this home to anybody until peace comes,” she added.
Sudan Tribune did not witness any unusual security movements around the town as many people in Bor had claimed.
Police commissioner Brigidiar General Thukul Ayom has made assurances that security would be ramped up in the town and that civilians would not be left unprotected during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“We will continue to protect you during and after the Christmas days because it is our duty as police to do so,” he said.
Police officers had been accused of killings and looting in Bor, a claim the commissioner dismissed as baseless, with the exception of Wednesday’s killings, which he said were carried out by rogue soldiers and would be dealt with lawfully.
South Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since last December when a political dispute in the country’s ruling party turned violent, reigniting simmering tribal tensions.
The fighting has pitted government troops loyal to president Salva Kiir, who hails from the Dinka tribe against rebel forces aligned with former vice-president Riek Machar, a Nuer.
Tens of thousands of civilians fleeing violence sought refuge at UN sites across the country, while hundreds of thousands more crossed into neighbouring countries as refugees.
Jonglei descended into chaos after fighting in the capital, Juba, spread to other areas, changing hands several times at the height of the conflict.
The fighting caused widespread damage to infrastructure and severely disrupted trade, agriculture and basic services in the region.
(ST)