The commissioner of Pigi County in Jonglei State has said the security situation in parts of the county remains tense with hundreds of residents displaced following clashes between the SPLA-IO Kitgwang factions in the area last Thursday.
Commissioner Nyok Malual Mayik told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that residents left their homes due to the fear of renewed fighting after Thursday’s clashes in the Atar area.
“Those clashes erupted in Khor-Atar Ardheb between forces loyal to Gen. Johnson Olony and a spiritual leader called Makuach Tot. Civilians who were seeking shelters here after fleeing insecurity in Diel are the ones affected again,” he said. “There are civilian causalities but we could not get statistics because there is no telephone network there and I am not able to access the area.”
Commissioner Malual pointed out that hundreds have been displaced to surrounding areas and lacked food and shelter.
“Residents have now fled to Wunayen, Wunkiir, Wilnyang, and Amam,” he said. “They do not have food. There is hunger and they also live in fear.”
Gen. Simon Gatwech’s SPLA-IO faction could not be reached for comment while Sebit Koang of Gen. Olony’s Agwelek forces confirmed that there were clashes but said he could not comment further because he was yet to be permitted by his group’s leadership.