Unity state authorities have announced that thousands of conflict-affected people from the rebel-controlled areas have come recently to Bentiu town.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Unity State Information Minister Peter Makuoth Malual said the new arrivals are now sheltering in the UN base and some government facilities in the town.
“We don’t have the statistics because their register is with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) that gives them food, but they are very many. I think the number can reach thousands,” he said.
Malual further said the government availed some basic supplies for the returnees before the humanitarian organizations come in.
He attributed the return of the citizens to lack of food and basic services in the rebel-controlled areas. He claimed that any citizen crossing to the government-controlled areas normally pays 10 SSP to the rebels as crossing fees.
He pointed out that this year’s farming season has failed in the state, forcing the citizens to look for food in Bentiu town.