Townsmen are beginning to return to Renk, Upper Nile state, after thousands fled in fear earlier this month, sources in the area say.

At least eight people were killed in shelling of the town from across the river earlier this month, and clashes were reported in the area of the town. This caused mass displacement to the north and east of the city, with an exodus also reported from villages south of Renk toward the south.

A number of returnees who spoke to Radio Tamazuj after returning to the city said life is beginning to return to normal, but expressed fears of a possible renewal of fighting because of the concentration of rebels in Manyo County near Renk.

Malik Ago, a resident of Renk said, “The rebels have gone and the area is becoming safe… there is no problem, the people are returning.”

The resident, who said he arrived back in Renk on Monday, said some people from the outskirts had been coming back into the city to check wither their houses were still alright. He explained that Souq al Shaabi is functioning again and the people are going back to their homes in the city.

Many still living in the villages and bush around the city are still in difficult conditions, however, sleeping in the open.

Awut, a displaced person in Gerger, said the situation was difficult for her and her children. She said the food situation was difficult. Many people were sheltering in that area in the open, she said.

But according to Awut, public buses are still running between Gerger and Renk, and some people are going back.         

File photo: Road between Renk and Gerger near the Sudanese border (Radio Tamazuj)

Related coverage:

Renk ‘deserted’ in fight for South Sudan oil state (27 Apr.)

Rebel shelling kills 8, wounds 20 in Renk (17 Apr.)

Families deserting Renk town, Upper Nile (28 Feb.)