The governor of Maiwut State said he has formed a mobilization committee to encourage civilians who fled the area due to recent military operations to either neighbouring states or Ethiopia to return home.

Governor Bol Ruach Rom told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday the security situation in the area was under control, denying reports that Pagak was divided into two between government and opposition forces.

“All these allegations and statements in the media, particularly on social media are not true. The situation is quite normal, so there is no threat,” he said.

“Our forces have never lost an inch of the area under our control since I came to Maiwut state. Instead, we are expanding and talking to the people to return to their homes instead of listening to lies and propaganda,” he added.

The top state official said the visit of chief of defence forces on Wednesday has proven to the people of South Sudan and the international community that Pagak is under the government control.

“The chief of defence forces came yesterday (Wednesday).  He brought the message of hope of our assurance of security and stability from the government and full commitment of the army to continue to provide protection to lives and properties of the civilians,” he said.

 “It was an important visit and I call on our people to return to their homes.  The committee has now been formed to help them return homes,” he added.

The governor pointed out that will they welcome those who will lay down their weapons and make use of the amnesty declared by President Kiir for the sake of the national dialogue initiative.

“We are asking our people to return because the security situation has improved. There is a government in the area and the national dialogue has been launched. It is the process through which all the issues would be addressed,” he said.