Several eyewitnesses at Wanyjok Market in Aweil East State have confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that many people have sustained injuries following a protest organized by the former Aweil East county traders union leadership and traders who opposed the appointment of a new chairperson Deng Garang Deng, the former Northern Bahr El Ghazal state chairperson of chamber of commerce.
The union and traders preferred former Aweil East County deputy chairperson of chamber of commerce Anuai Mou Akoon as their choice.
The protest started on Monday after Deng returned from Juba with a letter approved by the president of the national chamber of commerce Bol Mel, according to the eyewitnesses.
“He returned from Juba and wanted to take over the office but he was denied yesterday because the letter he came with from Juba was not approved by the governor of Aweil East State, but today he went to the office of the governor and came with a letter signed by the governor and went to CID office which holds the key of chamber office and after the CID saw the letter was signed by the governor, they gave key to him and from there he came with his group and opened the office and this is where the clashes occurred between him and those who opposed him,” said one eyewitness.
They threw stones between them before the police fired on the air to contain the situation and as a result some people sustained injuries and one person was admitted at Wanyjok hospital. Police have arrested some people for questioning. Another eyewitness said that the former secretary for Aweil East traders’ union also sustained an injury on his head.
The same eyewitness also added that Wanyjok market remained closed since yesterday due to the traders protest.
Photo: Bol Mel, national trade chamber chairman and a business partner of President Salva Kiir in ABMC