Wau’s new governor unveils plan to restore stability
July 2, 2016 (JUBA)- The newly appointed Governor of Wau state, Andrea Mayar Achor, has unveiled his plans to restore stability in a region, which experienced violent onflict in whereby over 40 people were killed, according to the national government spokesperson.
South Sudan’s information and broadcasting minister, Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters last week that government had formed a high level committee led by the minister of health, Riek Gai Kok to visit Wau town to establish the circumstances behind the violence, which forced out hundreds of civilians from their homes into churches and premises of the United Nations in search of security as well a protection.
He said the bodies of 39 civilians, including two Sudanese traders and four police personnel, who were allegedly killed while guarding and protecting properties of civilians who fled their homes, were discovered.
The official did not elaborate on the circumstance in which police personnel were killed.
Speaking exclusively to Sudan Tribune from Wau town on Saturday, Governor Achor said the investigation committee from Juba had arrived and started their work in town.
“The committee has come and they have started their work,” Achor told Sudan Tribune.
Achor said the security situation had returned to normal and people in town have resumed their normal activities after giving directive to security forces to lift restriction on movement of humanitarian workers and the people to provide and access services.
“After consultations with the heads of all the security organs, our SPLA commanders and representatives of the different communities in Wau, I gave out directives to security organs to lift restriction on the movement of the people in town so that people are able to provide and access services. Now the security situation has improved. All the checkpoints have been removed and clear directives have been issued by the security committee to the army not to prevent any citizens from moving”, he explained.
The governor said that he had informed all the humanitarian organizations in the state to move freely at any time during the day and night to help citizens, explaining these directives have been communicated to the public to know through microphones and letters in the case of other governmental institutions.
“The first priority now is to stabilize the security situation and the second phase is to talk to the people to come together and say what happened so that a way forward is found. Talking to people is very important because our values are stronger than hatred, killings and destruction”, he explained.
The third phase, he added, is to open up for reconciliation, forgiveness and accept one another in order to live in peace and harmony as one family again as it was before.
(ST)