By Theophilous Ochang

The commissioner of Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria State, Pole Pole Benjamin has urged the displaced persons sheltering in Magwi town to return to their respective villages, saying the situation is now calm.

He made the remarks during the donation of food and non-food items to the displaced communities in Magwi on Wednesday.

In his address to the IDPs, Commissioner Benjamin assured them of relative in the area, adding that some have started returning to their homes following the security assessment in the affected areas.

 “Currently the situation is improving. It is relatively calm and we are seeing people are copying up with their lives. The areas affected are now okay. We have made a security assessment and they are now conducive for people to go back to their houses,” he said.

According to the Commissioner, about 3,882 households of 23,000 individuals are currently sheltering in Magwi town.

He urged the displaced communities to return back home while expressing his administration’s commitment in providing security.

“Home is now improving. Let us go back to our homes in case of insurgencies, Magwi county local government and the security committee is committed and will always provide security to your locations.”

“So, people should go back and start preparing land for cultivation so that by the end of the first, second season, we have to start getting our foods and rebuild our homes,” the commissioner reiterated.        

In February, thousands of residents from Abara and Agoro Payam of Magwi County fled the areas as their houses were burnt following the attack on cattle keepers in Nyolo.

The incident prompted the herders to retaliate on the indigenous community, accusing them of coordinating with the armed raiders.

Last week, the Jonglei State government resolved to repatriate all Bor cattle keepers from Equatoria region and promised to stop further migration of pastoralists to the neighbouring states.