The commissioner of Jur River County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State has called on his people from Roc Roc Dong Payam and the deployed security forces not to get involved in the raging conflict between the Apuk Giir Thiik and Wan-Bai communities.
Addressing inhabitants of Roc Roc Dong Payam on Wednesday during an assessment visit to Payam headquarters, Commissioner Santino Manut Akec said the national and state governments are working to address the spiraling violent conflict between the two communities. He cautioned security forces and the community against blocking roads or detaining anyone from Apuk travelling along the road.
“To the army commander in Roc Roc Dong and the police, please do not block any road and do not allow anyone to stop travelers,” he directed. “People should move freely. The conflict happening between Greater Marial Bai and Apuk Giir is a problem between relatives that should be addressed.”
“People should not target each other; we are one people that the government is working to address the matter; let us work for peace,” Commissioner Manut added.
He said he does not want to hear that anyone has been arrested.
Meanwhile, Joseph Moses Ugudo, a local community leader, said the people of Roc Roc Dong do not want violence and that they will share what they can with people displaced by conflict.
“As the community of Roc Roc Dong, we do not want any problem. We welcome you (commissioner), and if we have little things like clothes, we will share with you,” he said. “Is it not a shame since you know that the person leading the country is our son from the Bahr el Ghazal region? Let us be a symbol of peace.”
Recently, thousands of residents from Achong Chong and surrounding areas fled their homes and sheltered in Wan-Bai Payam due to violence. On Monday, a school teacher was also killed in Wau Town in an apparent targeted revenge attack linked to the conflict between the Apuk Giir Thiik and Wan-Bai communities.
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