The mayor of Wau town, Mel Aleu Goc, has dismissed accusations that he was forcibly relating the conflict-displaced families who are currently sheltering inside the Episcopal Church to a new site located three kilometers away from the town.

This comes after reports that the municipal officials were forcefully relocating thousands of displaced people from Jur River County to Masna area.

 Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Mayor Mel Aleu said the relocation came after consultations with the displaced families in Wau town.

“The government did not force the internally displaced persons but it is a program of the municipality. Majority of these people came from the village and we would like to allocate them a piece of land so they can cultivate and produce food for themselves,” said Aleu.

Separately, the commissioner of Kwarjina County in Wau state claimed that at least 80 members of the SPLA-IO-faction allied to rebel leader Riek Machar had decided to surrender in Mapel military base last week.

But Radio Tamazuj could not reach opposition officials in the area to independently verify the claim.