![Governor of Western Equatoria state Louis Lobong Lojore [Photo via Facebook]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/DSC_5365-min-scaled-1.jpg?ssl=1)
On Monday, a group of armed men attacked the office of the South Sudan Red Cross branch in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, and physically assaulted seven staff members and robbed them of their valuables.
A meeting of Eastern Equatoria state security council chaired by Governor Louis Lobong Lojore held at the state headquarters resolved to suspend NGOs’ operations within Torit town for a period of 7 days following an upsurge attack on aid workers perpetuated by armed youth.
Lobong said the suspension was to allow the Committee that was formed recently to look into the reports of an attack on aid workers.
“The UN was asked to withdraw its forces from installations following an assault on the Red Cross and UNDP drivers,” read part of the security committee resolutions.
The governor has deployed forces to guard the WFP Stores and NGOs premises inside Torit town.
“Governor Lobong appealed to the UM agencies and all NGOs operating in Torit to provide relevant information that would help in addressing the grievances of the youth,” it said.
Two months ago, the youth wrote letters to the government complaining of the lack of access to UN and NGOs jobs in the country.
The youth in their letters accused the UN and NGOs of employing foreigners at the expense of the citizens.
They accused the NGOs of bringing in workers from the neighboring countries and processing for them South Sudanese national Documents.
The Governor upon receiving the letters formed a Committee to address the grievances of the youth.
“Instead of waiting for the Committee to finish its work, some elements within the Monyomiji went on a rampage assaulting a staff of Red Cross and one for UNDP in Torit town on Monday. This incident caused panic amongst the city’s residents,” it said.
