By William Madouk
Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have recovered some of looted goods and properties belonging to Sudanese residents in the state.
Governor Simon Uber Mawut commended the organized forces for their efforts in tracing and recovering the items that were stolen by angry protesters who vandalized local markets.
“I appreciate your hard work since the beginning of this shameful incident. Today, you have managed to confiscate these items. It is embarrassing for us as leaders to be blamed for not providing enough security to our inhabitants,” he stated.
“Such evil acts will not happen again in our state. I know this is the first time such a riot has occurred in Aweil,” he added.
Mawut expressed concern about the unbearable conditions faced by residents, including looming hunger and a cholera outbreak.
“We closed the markets for days, and the consequences are now being felt. There is hunger in households because there is no food available, and we are also facing a potential cholera outbreak,” the governor lamented.
Meanwhile, Major General Basilo Thomas Wani, the state commissioner of police in NBG, stated “we have confiscated some looted goods and properties, which you can see behind me. We started this operation today, Tuesday, and will continue until we have searched all suspected areas.”
“According to the governor, the areas of Ayuang, Maper, Hai Salam, and Kuom will be searched, and cases will be opened against those who looted items and for anyone found with these stolen goods in their homes,” General Wani added.
Last Friday, angry protesters in Aweil and other counties, excluding Aweil South County, ransacked markets and residential areas where the Sudanese community resides.
The mobs were incited by the killing of South Sudanese nationals in the Wad Madani area of the Al Gezira State in Sudan, allegedly by the Sudanese armed forces.
In response, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state government relocated Arab traders and their families to secure facilities for their protection.