Commissioner of Tombura county restricts UNMISS in WES
April 29, 2016 (YAMBIO) – The authorities of Tombura county have restricted the United Nations Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS) from accessing the area.
A team of UN Agencies and UNMISS left Yambio for Tombura on Monday with the aim to conduct awareness on UNMISS mandate and the peace agreement signed by the government of South Sudan and armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) and to handover the portal and proceed to Source Yubu to access the humanitarian situation.
When the team reached in Tombura, the county commissioner, Abdalla Juma Baziangungu, said he was not aware about the visit of UNMISS and UN Agencies to his county and he could not therefore allow them to do their activities.
He gave order to security forces to restrict the team not to conduct their activities and they should not move or interview the local community on human rights issues or activities of security organs in the county.
But with the presence of UNDP regional Director and Head of Field Office in Western Equatoria, the Commissioner only allowed handing over of the community portal where he commended UNMISS for constructing the centre with the money from Quick Impact.
Speaking on phone to John Bosco, a citizen of Source Yubu, who fled conflict to Tombura town, he expressed his disappointment over the restriction imposed on UNMISS and other non-governmental organizations.
The community of Source Yubu has not received any humanitarian assistance due to the wave of the insecurity and bad road to the area.
UNMISS have been visiting Tombura county to conduct their activities and also visit Nagero county without restriction so that the mandate is realized in South Sudan.
Tombura county experience fighting between the government forces and armed youth last year in Source yubu where at least eight people were killed from both sides and shops and houses were looted, burnt and destroyed.
(ST)