By Hou Akot
Local vegetable sellers in Aweil Town, who rely on selling produce such as pumpkins, okra, and onions, are reeling from a forceful eviction.
On Monday and Tuesday, officials forcefully ordered vendors to relocate to a new site, resulting in losses as their goods were damaged in the process.
The sellers expressed their confusion and distress after the eviction, which saw their products thrown into disarray, with many items ending up in waterlogged areas.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of police reprisals, one vendor who preferred to be identified as Mary (Not real name) shared her experience.
“The police stormed our market areas, and the officers didn’t give us enough time to relocate. They tossed our goods around indiscriminately. We are here to support our families, including our little children,” she said.
She appealed to authorities for a more compassionate approach, emphasizing that the time frame provided for relocation was insufficient and that many vendors were not adequately informed about the changes.
Another vendor, referred to as Elizabeth, criticized the government for lacking empathy towards vulnerable communities.
“The officials in South Sudan are making bewildering decisions. They urge people to be resilient while simultaneously creating additional hardships. What kind of nation is this?” she questioned.
Elizabeth also alleged that one of their colleagues was taken away by authorities for allegedly defying the eviction orders.
In response, Mr. Joseph Yach Deng, the mayor of Aweil Town, dismissed the vendors’ claims as unfounded.
“How can we destroy their goods? These are our people, and we value their hard work,” he stated.
“We have made it clear that they cannot operate on the highway, especially given the flooding in many areas of the town. We are directing them to a more suitable location for their businesses.”
Mr. Yach emphasized that the eviction orders had been communicated in advance and criticized those who spread misinformation about the government’s intentions.
“Our forces are not responsible for destroying their products, and we are committed to identifying anyone who engages in such actions,” he added.
Local residents are encouraged to continue producing goods for both subsistence and commercial purposes, despite the ongoing challenges.