The Chief of Tombur Boma of Lobonok Payam in Central Equatoria State, Tartisio Ladu Lo-juron Kenyi, on Thursday evening called for the removal of a unit of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) from the area following a misunderstanding between the soldiers and the civilians.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Central Equatoria Governor, Augustino Jadallah Kamilo in Juba, Kenyi said a misunderstanding between the soldiers and civilians forced the people to flee the area to Lobonok.
“There was an incident that happened in Pager on Saturday night. We received information that a soldier was shot dead in Pager and his colleagues went and shot randomly, forcing civilians to flee,” he said
“When the civilians fled Pager to Tombur Boma, the Governor directed the Commissioner to go on the ground. He found the situation of the civilians was dire but we want to thank our government because the Commissioner took with him some foodstuff that can sustain the displaced for two to three weeks,” Kenyi said.
The Chief said the civilians gave a condition that they could only return to their homes after the soldiers were removed.
“When we say we don’t want the soldiers, it is like we are rejecting the government, but we only want the soldiers to be changed,” he added.
Juba County Commissioner Emmanuel Ezbon Tete said the 68 households displaced from Pager were currently sheltered at a church compound in Lobonok.
“The incident that happened there was really bad. There was burning of huts and shooting, but we visited the place following an order from the Governor. Currently the security situation is normal, the civilians fled to Lobonok center and are living at the church compound,” Tete said.
“What is important is security of the civilians. This is not the time for civilians to flee from their homes,” he said.
Tete put the number of those who had fled and were living on the church compound at 840, and appealed for support to them.