State official says traders fear to return to Bentiu
Local authorities in South Sudan’s Unity State say the security situation is stable, but traders fear to return to the state capital after the killings carried out there last month. This means that there are few goods available for purchase in Bentiu.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the Unity State Security Advisor John Malok claimed the security situation in the state is calm, but emphasized that the humanitarian situation is worsening.
The official reiterated the government’s commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement with the rebels, which was signed on 9 May in Addis Ababa.
He warned of coming hunger in the state, admitting that the humanitarian situation is worsening across the counties of the state.
He noted that the traders fear to take consumer goods to the market, which has forced the citizens to seek shelter in the UN base, so that they can get food.
“The state authorities are gravely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian and health situation of the citizens in the town owing to shortages of food and medicines,” he said.
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