At least 19 people remain in prison in Tonj North County after inter-communal clashes and they will be brought to court, according to Tonj North Commissioner Tito Sijin Ayii Kuot.

He told Radio Tamazuj that the problems between the two payams of Akop and Marial Lou have stopped but some people have been put in prison. “There were criminals who killed people and were put in prison and we are waiting to take them to court... the number of people who died on both sides were 20 people and the number in prison now is 19 people.”

He said the incident started at night with some gunfire and created fear between the two sides which led to clashes. The commissioner said the incident happened last month.

Tito said that there were still investigations ongoing. The commissioner also pointed out that there was hunger in the two payams that were earlier affected by clashes. He urged traders and non-governmental organizations to bring food to the area.

Finally, he predicted that the return of peace to the country will result in improvements in his county. “We are waiting for peace – we have been hearing that peace has come and our brothers who left are returning. So we are expecting that if there is peace there will be changes – like this issue of hunger, the roads will open, like the road to Khartoum and the road to Uganda.”

“We hope that peace will come and there will be unity.”

Tito was speeking on the twice-weekly program With the Commissioners.