The local authorities in Pigi County in Jonglei State have been holding peace rallies in different parts of the county as part of measures to foster peaceful coexistence amidst an increased influx of returnees.
The county-wide campaign started on 27 January.
Nyok Malual Mayik, the county commissioner, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that they have embarked on a campaign to disseminate peace messages because a large swath of the county has been cut off despite the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
“These areas we visited have been cut off by rivers, poor roads, and insecurity caused by opposition forces like the Agwelek and SPLA-IO during the time of war,” Nyok said. “We were accompanied by some SPLA-IO Generals to Khorwai, Atar, and Allela payams and we disseminated the peace deal and calls for peaceful coexistence with returnees.”
The county commissioner pointed out that the displaced have been returning to Pigi in their hundreds and called on humanitarian agencies operating in the country to come to their aid because the security situation has improved.
Meanwhile, James Biliu Kur, the county executive director, concurred with the commissioner that security had improved.
“During our visit, we found out that the security situation is good but the only problem now is that of inadequate food, shelter, clean drinking water, education services, and medicines,” he said. “The population of the needy in all these areas stands at 10, 200.”
On his part, Stephen Chol Kon, the Pigi County deputy paramount chief, lauded the government for the peace campaign which he said was fruitful.
“Our county has been ruined since the war in 2014. As the peace is holding, people are beginning to resettle in the county,” he said. “However, the challenge is that there have been no agricultural activities over the past years so people are hungry and therefore need food, medicines, and shelter materials.”