Authorities in Baliet County in Central Upper Nile have urged those displaced by the conflict to return to their villages, saying the county had now recovered from the war.

Most of the displaced citizens from Baliet County live in Melut and Khor Adar camps, after escaping fighting between government forces and rebels.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Commissioner of Baliet County Machol Thon Gai emphasized that there is total peace in his county after the signed peace agreement.

“I met with the neighboring communities recently. I also met with SPLA-IO commanders,” he said.

“The challenge is that I am unable e to transport my people back to their county, so it is a big challenge to me. Nearly 19,000 displaced people from Baliet are currently living in the camps,” he added.

The local official called on the national government in Juba and humanitarian organizations to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced families to their areas.

He stressed that there is no need for people to live in displaced camps while there is peace around their respective areas. “We urge the national government to work in collaboration with NGOs to transport internally displaced persons,” he said.

The county commissioner promised to work in collaboration with aid agencies to provide services for returnees.