Calm has returned to Ikotos town in Eastern Equatoria State following Sunday’s clashes between the SSPDF and civilians which left 3 dead and 2 others injured, officials said.
Local authorities said residents who had sought refuge in the Catholic Church parish and in bushes have now returned to their homes.
The commissioner of Ikotos County, Joseph Loholong Jenisio, who was also hiding during the fighting, said the security situation is now normal and confirmed that people were back in their homes. He added that there are plans to hold a meeting with the army commanders to find out the cause of the clashes and to bring those responsible to book.
“The situation normalized when the intervention (army) arrived and all the citizens have come back to their houses. We requested the forces from Juba and they have arrived on the ground,” he said. “We are preparing to have a serious meeting so that we are able to get exactly what the problem was and identify those people involved.”
“I will be chairing a meeting at the county with the SSPDF commander, other organized forces, and intellectuals,” Commissioner Loholong added.
The leader of the youth in Ikotos County, Ohisa Abraham, said that there is relative calm in the town and that the army was carrying out patrols.
“People have already started coming back to their homes and yesterday (Monday), shops were opened. I am speaking from within the town center and forces are on the ground patrolling,” he said. “The incident of Sunday happened at a drinking place where someone was killed because of alcohol.”
Ohisa cautioned the youth against imbibing recklessly.
A female resident who preferred anonymity due to security reasons said returned home after learning that soldiers had arrived to contain the situation. She however said they found their homes looted.
“The situation has normalized and the soldiers are now around. We came back after they called us to return when the soldiers arrived and took control,” she said. “However, most houses have been looted. The incident has brought suffering to us women.”
Mum Dina, a resident of Hai Askal residential area in Ikotos town, said although there is relative calm, people still live in fear.
“In the residential areas, we are still in fear. We do not want such a thing to happen again,” she lamented. “What is happening is due to the issue cattle which is creating all this chaos within Ikotos. We are appealing to our big people to address the issue cattle.”
Lopwa Paul, a legislator representing Ikotos called for enhanced civil-military relations in the area.
“We need to appreciate the government for sending the forces to go and calm that situation. Since the people are coming back, we urge the army to cooperate with the citizens because they are there to protect and defend citizens,” he said. “We need the army to have a good relationship with the citizens so that they will also get information from the citizens that will help them in their duties.”