Government operations have resumed in Yuai, the headquarters of Uror County in South Sudan’s Jonglei State, after government troops retook the town from opposition forces, local officials said on Monday.
Yuai fell to fighters from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) on January 2 after heavy fighting in which the group overran barracks belonging to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF). The army said it later reinforced its forces and re-entered the town in recent days.
Following the January fighting, several government officials, including County Commissioner James Gatkor Gatluak, fled to neighbouring Duk County.
“We started working from Yuai today after the county headquarters was deserted for more than a month due to the fighting,” Gatluak told Radio Tamazuj.
He said authorities had lifted the suspension on flights and urged humanitarian and commercial airlines to resume operations.
“People displaced by the conflict are starting to return to Yuai, Pathai, Motot, Pamai, Pieri and Payai,” Gatluak said, adding that returnees were facing severe shortages.
“The affected people lack food, shelter, medicines and educational materials,” he said, warning that the situation was worsened by seasonal hunger compounded by floods and drought.
“I appeal to humanitarian organisations to resume operations because the area is free of rebellion. All flights, including UNHAS, MSF, ICRC and commercial flights, have been cleared to resume,” he added.
Gatluak said plans were also underway to reopen key road links, including the Poktap–Pajut–Yuai and Ayod–Uror routes.
Uror County information director Majiok Chop also confirmed the resumption of government work in Yuai.
“We are back in Yuai, and the displaced civilian population is beginning to return,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gatluak Reat, a lawmaker representing Uror County in the Jonglei State legislative assembly, appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance, warning of hunger and disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the fighting.
“The government has resumed work and civilians are returning after the SSPDF took over, but there is no food, shelter or medicine,” he said.
SPLA-IO field commanders in Uror County could not immediately be reached for comment.
Local sources said tensions remain high in parts of Uror County.
South Sudan has recently seen intensified fighting between government forces and SPLA-IO fighters loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar, particularly in Jonglei State. Regional and international observers have warned that renewed violence risks plunging the country back into full-scale conflict.