The acting governor of Western Equatoria State says that “all” of the residents of Mundri have fled into the bush. He is calling on the army (SPLA) to treat the civilians humanely and consider their humanitarian situation.

Acting State Governor Bullen Hakim told Radio Miraya yesterday that greater Mundri area is affected by worsening security and increasing displacement.

“In fact, we have insecurity all around. The serious condition is now people of Mundri are all in the bushes. They are starving and with diseases, no food, no drugs and of course this needs urgent relief aid otherwise you know hunger and disease they are very serious – even worse than fighting.”

“We are appealing to the army even to see this as very critical so that these people should come back to their houses,” added the acting governor.

Meanwhile, a member of parliament from the area speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Juba reported deteriorating security in the Jambo area of Mundri since weeks ago but complained of a lack of information owing to lack of phone network in the area.

Similarly, the SPLA-IO rebel group reported that the government dispatched a military convoy from Juba to Mundri on Monday. Col. William Gatjiath Deng stated in a press release that the troops overnighted at Jambo and “they began to shell on civilians, burned down the villages around Jumbo Payam.”

Gatjiath called on the IGAD ceasefire monitors to send a verification team to check on the alleged violations by the government.

A local source told Radio Tamazuj earlier on Tuesday that clashes were ongoing between SPLA and community 'arrow boys' who are unhappy with the presence of SPLA in the state. But the source was unable to provide details.

Related: 

Attack on military garrison in Mundri West County (5 Oct.)