Citizens in Jonglei State have been urged to be vigilant and protect themselves and their properties during the Christmas and New Year festivities as the security situation reportedly deteriorates in parts of the state.
The appeal by the government comes days after some residents of Bor complained that they felt unsafe and demanded that the security be beefed up.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Christmas Eve, Elizabeth Nyadak John, the state information minister, acknowledged that there is unease in parts of the state and urged residents to be vigilant.
“We heard a credible report that a force of 600 armed youth had mobilized in Gumuruk and were going towards Duk County. In Akobo, there is also fear and people are moving to towns,” she said. “We have local governments in every county to provide protection but real protection lies with individuals. Now that there is this report of planned attacks, people should protect their families and stay near the town.”
However, Nyadak, who is also the state government spokesperson, said they are coordinating with Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) authorities to fight off any attack, saying those planning to attack are a common enemy to both GPAA and the Jonglei State government.
For his part, Duk County Commissioner Peter Latjor Chuol said they are aware of an imminent attack and urged that it be deterred to avoid any return to inter-communal violence.
Meanwhile, Abraham Kelang, the GPAA information minister, admitted that armed youth in his area had mobilized to attack but the local authorities intervened and disrupted their plans.
“A few days ago a small youth group of about 50 had mobilized themselves to carry out attacks. We do not know the locations they had wanted to attack but as a government, we intervened,” he explained. “These youths were demobilized and we informed our Jonglei State counterpart about it because we want peace. No criminal is a friend to any government and we want cooperation with Jonglei State to fight them off.”