Over 2300 households flee violence in Unity State

By Ruot George

Over 2300 households have fled violence in the southern part of Unity State this week, an official said.

The violence which started from Mirmir in Koch County spread to neighboring Leer and Mayendit.

Several people have been killed including civilians and aid workers.

In Leer town, the Director of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Paulino Kueh, said the people displaced, including women and children, fled areas of Tutnyany, Juong, Mirnyal, Kuiiny, Guat and Payak among others.

“1717 houses on the first day and on the second day we registered 621 households,” Kueh told Juba Echo by phone.

“As we talk now all the payams in Leer have been deserted, they are fleeing to Leer town for safety,” he said.

“We will continue with the registration today.”

Authorities in the areas have yet failed to identify the root cause of the violence.

Armed youth first started with attacking a cantonment base for opposition forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition last week, before moving out to the neighboring villages, burning villages, looting and killing.

“It’s very unfortunate; even me as the county commissioner, I don’t know why there is fighting,” the Commissioner of Leer County, Stephen Taker Riak told Juba Echo by phone.

“All the villages have been burnt, they have come to Leer town,” he said.