The county commissioner in Maban County in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state has expressed concern about the security situation following what he termed military deployments ‘based on ethnicity’.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the Maban County Commissioner James Pasha explained that the national army (SPLA) forces in the county have been separated into different camps based on tribe. He said security tensions are high.

The official criticized the segregation of the SPLA on the basis of ethnicities. He said the Nuer soldiers were recently transferred from Jamam to the county headquarters whereas the Dinka soldiers were deployed in Jamam area. 

“When I want to inquire on the issue from the field commander of the forces stationed in the county, he told me that he received orders from the SPLA high command to do so,” said Pasha.

“Now the citizens are very concerned and anxious about the move, so they question the division of the SPLA force in this way. As commissioner I don’t agree with that decision because it is illogical and will definitely cause insecurity,” he emphasized.

He pointed out that the new security arrangement caused instability and tension among the local residents in the area. Pasha urged the SPLA Chief of General Staff Gen. Paul Malong Awan and President Salva Kiir to reverse the decision of segregation of the national army units by ethnicity. 

Security in refugee camps

In another development, the commissioner told Radio Tamazuj that the Blue Nile refugees in the various camps in the area were experiencing insecurity, owing to threats by some criminals living near Kaya camp.

He noted the these criminals have been robbing non-govermental organizations at night.

The county authority said he is reluctant to carry out a disarmament campaign in the camp, owing to the current political unrest.

File photo: Maban Commissioner James Basha (Radio Tamazuj)