Calm has returned to the Riirangu area in Riirangu Payam of Yambio County in Western Equatoria State following insecurity incidents that displaced hundreds of residents, local leaders said.
Community leaders say improved security, achieved through dialogue and reconciliation, has ended gun violence and fear that forced families to flee into nearby bushes and neighboring villages.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Sidig Abel, a youth and community leader in Riirangu Payam, confirmed that the area is now peaceful and urged displaced youth to return home and take part in rebuilding their community.
“The situation is calm now. We are urging all youth who fled because of the conflict to return and help develop the area,” Sidig said.
Despite the improved security, residents continue to face serious humanitarian challenges, including shortages of clean water, health services and essential medicines.
“We have no clean water and no medication. Most property was looted or destroyed, and we depend on Nzara and Yambio for services. We urgently need support from partners,” he added.
Pusila Elikana Yambio, an executive chief under Yambio County, also appealed to chiefs, youth leaders, women leaders and displaced families to return home and end years of hardship in displacement.
Meanwhile, David Wandu, the community youth chairperson of Riirangu Payam, said youth leaders have mobilized residents to prepare the area for returns.
“More than 900 people came together to clean the surroundings and encourage the community to return,” Wandu said.
“What we urgently need now are clean water, a functioning health facility with drugs, and schools for our children. Peace has returned,” he added.
Aniye, the chief of Riirangu Payam, urged the government and humanitarian partners to prioritize basic services to sustain the returns.
“Health services, medicines, education and clean water are critical. These are the things that will encourage our people to return in large numbers,” the chief said.
Western Equatoria State Acting Minister of Information James Abdalla Arona confirmed that the security situation across the state, including Riirangu Payam, remains calm.
“The situation is normal. This is a golden opportunity for communities to return home, register their children for school and prepare their farms,” Arona said. “The Ministry of Health will work with partners to vaccinate children and their mothers.”
Violence erupted in the Riirangu area in 2021, driven by political rivalries and ethnic tensions. Sporadic clashes continued in 2023 and 2024, including fighting between SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces in parts of Nagero, Mundri and Yambio counties. In early 2025, renewed violence between the SSPDF and the SPLA-IO forced more families from Riirangu and surrounding areas to flee.