President Salva Kiir on Wednesday formed a six-member committee headed by Water Resources Minister Manawa Peter to investigate the insecurity situation in Leer County of Unity State.

Things got worse over the past week with numerous villages south of Leer town being looted and burnt. The latest violence resulted in the killing of an unknown number of people and the displacement of many families.

The members of the investigation committee to be headed by Minister Manawa Peter are Rizik Zachariah Hassan, Abboud Stephen, Kuong Dak Wiu, Chabor Goc Ali, Peter Ruai Gatwech and Malong Thiik Ring.

The committee is tasked to “investigate the causes of insecurity incidents that occurred in Leer County, and to come up with measures to deter the occurrence of such incidents in the future.”

Within the terms of reference for the new committee, it is directed to coopt any relevant members where it deems necessary.

The new investigation committee is expected to report back to Kiir within 14 working days from 13 April.

South Sudan’s Investigation Committees Act of 2006 permits the president to establish committees empowered to conduct hearings, issue summons, collect documents and issue warrants of arrest for people refusing to appear before the committee without a valid reason.