The governor of South Sudan’s Yei River State, Emmanuel Anthony Adil has instructed government forces stationed at various security posts and counties to protect civilians.
Adil said his office has been receiving reports that several civilians who ran to refugee camps in neighboring countries are returning as a result of the revitalised peace agreement.
The governor, last week, visited Otogo, Lujulo and Morobo Counties to disseminate the peace agreement and build trust between civilians and government forces in these areas.
He appealed to the army to stop harassing civilians, allow free movement of the population and begin a new chapter for reconciliation and peace building among the various communities.
“I want good relationship with the civilians and the bad things done by you [soldiers] must come to an end. I don’t want to hear that the forces are doing bad things against the civilians. I want protection and respect to the civilians and if you respect them [civilians] they will respect you. I want discipline and cordial relationship,” said Adil.
He added, “To all chiefs and religious leaders around, report some of the mistakes committed by the forces to the commissioners and help yourselves. I also want all roads and markets opened in the villages”.
Meanwhile, Adil urged civilians to forgive government and its force for mistakes committed during the conflict in the area.
“I know some individual soldiers committed crimes here [but] we are sorry for what has happened,” he explained.
The official appealed to all the armed opposition forces in the area to ensure they report to designated cantonment sites in Panyume area to allow civilians to start farming and rebuild their livelihoods.
“We have a cantonment site here and I want all the opposition forces, whether SPLA-IO [Sudan People Liberation Army-In Opposition] or others to report to the cantonment area to allow civilians to go to the farms and begin cultivation for survival,” he said.
Adil said the security situation in the state is generally stable as government is committed to implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
One of the areas badly affected by the civil war, Yei River State has witnessed human rights violations and massive displacements since 2016.