South Sudan’s SPLA-IO, Nando forces to relocate bases out of Tombura

JUBA – South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State Minister of Information, William Adriano Baikai, has said efforts are underway to relocate SPLA-IO and Nando forces out of Tombura County to end violence in the area.

In July, a meeting between the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar with the political and military leaders from Western Equatoria State resolved to relocate the SPLA-IO forces in Namatina and Zamoi to Rii-Rangu.

It also resolved to relocated forces loyal to General James Nando from Yambio Airstrip and Source-Yubo to Maridi under the direct command of the SSPDF Division Six.

Speaking to Sudans Post this morning, Minister Adriano disclosed that the presence of SPLA-IO and Nando forces is hindering the return of displaced persons.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, almost 80,000 people have been displaced by sub-national violence in Tambura County since June.

“The issue of people returning home has not been put in place because of the presence of forces loyal to Nando and SPLA-IO based in Namatina,” Adriano said.

“Based on the agreement, they have to be removed from that area so that the displaced persons can return home.  As I am talking to you now, they are still on the ground. So, there is no way that civilians can go back home when the forces have not to be relocated out of Tombura,” he added.

On 22, July, the unity governor formed nine-member fact-finding committee to investigate the root causes of the ongoing violence in the state.

“We still waiting for the committee to remove those forces from the area so as to create a conducive environment for returnees to go back to their places,” he said.

The state minister disclosed that the presence of forces is hindering the free movement of civilians.

“These forces posing a security threat to civilians. When we held a meeting last time with First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, one of the resolutions was that all these forces have to be assembled and relocated out of that territory,” he said.

He disclosed the general security situation in Tombura remain calm despite the Sunday clashes between security forces and forces loyal to General James Nando which left one civilian, three soldiers of Nando dead.

“The security situation in Tombura remains calm nowadays with exception of a little incident that took place yesterday after (Sunday) where forces of Nando forces ambushed and killed one boy,” he said.