Local authorities said that over 3,000 citizens who fled clashes earlier this month between SPLA-Juba and SPLA-IO forces at Jamam in Maban County in South Sudan's Upper Nile State have returned home.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Maban commissioner Temato Nau said Wednesday that he toured various villages in Jamam area and found over 3,000 returnees.

He said the returnees are now living in Bankita, Kaya and Yusuf Batil areas. Nau pointed out that humanitarian organizations are providing them with relief, but they still need shelter.

“”We have about 3263 returnees in Bankita and Kaya, and we could not assess the number of the returnees who are living in Yusuf Batil,” he said.

The official further said there are also returnees living in Benishowa area and that they report a shortage of drinking water.

The commissioner called upon the humanitarian organizations to provide aid assistance to the needy people so that they don’t flee from the area again.

Government officials accused the rebels of killing several civilians and abducting women and girls during the fighting in Jamam.

Photo: Resident of Yusuf Batil, Maban County (UNHCR/ P. Rulashe)