Upper Nile State Minister of Information Peter Hoth said there was shelling of Melut on Saturday but he downplayed the seriousness of the attacks.

“It could not last long. It was the time when the state officials including governor made a visit to inspect the site of the boats which were destroyed by the SPLA forces,” he said. 

“So after we left then they started shelling which could not last long, and then they were retaliated by the SPLA. So it was minor, not a serious issue.”

He said nobody was killed or injured, downplaying the incident and saying the rebels were using only two mortars located across the Nile, which is an area controlled by the opposition.

Peter also noted that the situation of people displaced to Paloich is “very dire” with many people living in the open in spite of the rain. “This will cause major problems later especially to the children,” he said, emphasizing the lack of shelter and the low temperature.

The displaced there also lack water, he said.

Asked why the people were not returning to Melut, he said that some people have returned to Melut but they are returning back to Paloich in the evening. Their food and possessions left behind have been looted, he noted, so that they have nothing to return to.