State officials from the government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal on Sunday paid an official working visit to Aroyo, an administrative headquarters of Aweil Centre County, several days after rebels allied to the former vice president, Riek Machar, overran the area.
State Health Minister Tong Deng Anei, state Minister of Physical Infrastructure Angelo Uguak Arun and Aweil Centre County Commissioner William Ajongo Deng made an assessment visit to the area during which the officials assured the local community of the commitment of the state and the national government to provide adequate protect and security to the population.
“Today, the County Commissioner of Aweil Center, William Ajongo Deng, Minister of Physical Infrastructure, Angelo Ugwak and I visited Aroyo town in Aweil Center County to assess the damage caused by Riek Machar rebels who sneaked into the area at 2am on July 7”, Tong said in a statement on Sunday.
The rebels, according to Tong, took advantage of the absence of the government forces in the area to loot several items, including plumpy nuts for malnourished children, injectable medicines and food items in the market before leaving the area at dawn.
Some of these items, he said, were later recovered from the rebels after the government forces followed them and were returned to the owners. He did not specify the type of items which the government forces recaptured from the rebels but claimed their visit had witnessed the return of peace to the area. “Our visit witnessed the return of peace back to Aroyo. We appeal to the rebels to accept otherwise the SPLA will be left with no other option but protection of the civilians and their properties from the enemies of peace,” he said.
The official commended the leadership of the chief of General staff, Paul Malong Awan and his deputy for operations, James Ajonga Mawut Ajonga, for sending government forces to the area after the rebels entered the area to provide security. Tong and members of the visiting delegation also visited the market where they held meetings at which they advised traders that their lives were more important than goods allegedly looted by the rebels.
“I am very happy to SPLA leadership, especially General Malong Awan and General James Ajonga who tried the best and sent SPLA unit to keep security of the county,” said Tong.
The Aweil center county commissioner for his part claimed nothing was left from the area, urging the health authorities to arrange sending three months medical supplies to the area.