The governor of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state Simon Kun Puoc has recently issued a decision forming a committee headed by the state agriculture minister to aid war-affected counties across the state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Sunday, the Upper Nile Information Minister Philip Jiben Ogal confirmed the formation of the committee by the governor, saying the body was tasked to assess the needs of the local people living in the counties affected by the ongoing conflict in the state.

He noted the committee headed by the agriculture minister will provide sorghum to the affected counties including Renk town, which came under attack last Friday.

Jiben, who is also the government spokesman, claimed the security situation is calm and stable in the town of Malakal, adding that life has also returned to normal in Renk County following the attack by the rebel forces on Friday.

According to the army spokesman last week, at least four civilians were killed and eight injured from shelling on Renk town. He blamed the opposition forces for killing the four civilians, and explained that many people fled the town.

However, Philip affirmed that the citizens are gradually returning back home following that attack.

The state official reiterated the government’s commitment to the cessation of hostilities agreement, saying they SPLA is still maintaining its defensive positions.

The minister pointed out that the SPLA forces are in full control of the situation in Upper Nile and the oil fields in particular. He said, “Oil is flowing normally uninterrupted despite of the current crisis in the state.”

South Sudanese rebels had announced their intention to capture key oil installations to force President Salva Kiir to step down and end more than five months of conflict in the world’s newest nation.

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