John Ivu, the deputy governor of Upper Nile state together with other officials visited refugee camps in Maban County, an area that has served as a rear base for the SPLA-North. During his visit he warned against the spread of guns in the camps.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Maban County, Ivu said that state officials went on inspection to check on the citizens and acquaint themselves with problems facing the citizens at the grassroots.

Ivu was accompanied by an UNHCR official, the head of the state security committee, and the governor’s advisor for roads construction.

He noted that there are reports of spread of weapons in the camps, adding that he came to Maban area to make sure of this news. He acknowledged that the county is hosting a large number of Blue Nile refugees in addition large numbers of nomads who pass through the area.

The deputy governor pointed to frequent occurrences of theft in the county. He stressed the necessity of making sure that nomads crossing through the county are unarmed, affirming that he is very concerned about proliferation of arms in the region.  

He noted that some parts of South Sudan are characterized by proliferation of weapons, but he wants to make sure Maban area is free of armed groups. 

Photo: Rebels from Blue Nile, May 2012 (tomokriznar.com).