South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The deteriorating security situation in Pigi County, Jonglei State has recently forced about 9,000 people to seek safety in neighboring Panyikang County, Upper Nile State.
Suleiman Deng Thon, the Pigi County Commissioner said that the displacement followed an incursion by Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) troops under generals Both Teny, Simon Diang Duoth, Jok Kuach and Simon Majok Gai.
“We are calling on the government of Jonglei State to intervene to provide protection and rescue the situation, people have run away without food and shelter,” Thon told the Dawn yesterday in an interview.
Thon also said the SPLA-IO troops moved from nearby Atar area, where they had previously manned two checkpoints to Mat area, located about 1 km east of the Canal in Pigi County.
“The residents of Pigi have run away because of fear, majority of the people who fled are now staying under trees in Obali, Achap el Nile,Deleb and Panam areas,” he disclosed.
“We already have police and SSPDF deployed in Pigi, the government forces are for peace but we need mainly protection and humanitarian assistance for the citizens who ran away from Canal, kandagi, Khorfulus, Mareng and Gokjath,” Thon disclosed.
The development came amid recent intensified fighting between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the White Army militia since March 4 in Nasir and Ulang Counties in Upper Nile State.
Pigi County in Jonglei State neighbors Upper Nile State where the SSPDF is conducting operations against the White Army militia.
