August 12th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – Violence has subsidized in South Sudan’s Maiwut county after main armed opposition leader and First Vice-President designate Dr. Riek Machar replaced governor following days of fighting between SPLA-IO forces and armed civilians in the area, residents said.
Troops of the SPLA-IO, which stands for Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition, last week fought in different areas in Maiwut over an alleged boycott of a commissioner by the locals.
Civilians were displaced as fighting raged on for several days with reports of heavy civilian and military casualty.
Late last week Machar removed his Adar state governor, General Stephen Pal Kun and replaced him with General Stephen Loma Yaka over the violence.
Speaking to Nyamilepedia on Sunday, civilians in Maiwut said they were happy that they had been answered at last after Machar removed the man they said was exploiting them.
“We were being exploited but now, we are happy that he (Machar) took that decision [of removing Adar state governor General Pal Kun],” Goth Gatluak, a Maiwut resident told the Nyamilepedia.
Another resident of Maiwut who identified himself as Khor Jiech said there is an indication that the recent replacement of the governor by Machar had made a difference because of the growing rallying behind the new man.
“There is an indication that Machar’s change of state leadership has made a very big difference between the civilians including those who were clear over the dispute between the [SPLM-IO] government and civilians,” Jiech said.
“We are for peace and we will return to peace,” he added.
