Government forces urged to vacate civilians’ houses in Pageri

The armed opposition force commander in Pageri County of South Sudan’s Torit State, Brigadier General Charles Hashu has urged government soldiers occupying civilians’ houses to evacuate in line with the implementation of the peace accord.

The armed opposition force commander in Pageri County of South Sudan’s Torit State, Brigadier General Charles Rumunu Romano has urged government soldiers occupying civilians’ houses to evacuate in line with the implementation of the peace accord.

Speaking during a peace building meeting between government and opposition forces in Nimule town on Saturday, Charles said citizens cannot return home since government troops are still occupying mosques, schools and houses, which is “unacceptable”.

The opposition official urged government forces to return to barracks.

"The army must go there [barracks] because its presence in the homes does not support the peace agreement,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the commander of government forces in Pageri County, Brigadier General Nyot Deng Mabior said the army’s presence in the county is to secure the country's borders with Uganda.

He said the army would vacate if instructed by the higher authorities.

In September last year, South Sudanese arch-foes signed a revitalized peace agreement, aimed at ending the devastating civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.