The Commissioner of Budi County in Eastern Equatoria State is calling on residents of Ngauro and Lopua to return home after a deadly attack at a local mining site forced them to flee to the mountains.
Deputy Executive Director of Ngauro Payam, William
Lotukulem, said the Commissioner toured the areas of Nathilani and Mahira,
emphasizing a message of peace and urging residents not to panic and to come
back home.
“We will have a public rally when people come back. Commissioners
take the message of peace, telling people to come back home and not to panic.
Some shops are open, but people are not there, and some shop owners who are not
here have not opened their shops,” Lotukulem said.
The attack by unknown group, which occurred on December 26,
left 16 people dead and caused widespread fear among communities in Ngauro and
Lopua. Residents sought safety in nearby hills, abandoning their homes and
shops.
Officials are planning a public rally in the coming days once more residents return to reinforcing the messages of peace and normalcy.