Citizens sheltering in the UN Protection of Civilian’s Site in Malakal town in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State have refused to return to their homes in the town even after the state government asked them to do so last Friday.

This decision came during a meeting between representatives of the state government and members of the reconciliation, peace and security committee in the UN base.

Abdullah Jago, mayor of the Malakal town, told Radio Tamazuj that they pledged to provide security forces to restore security in Malakal town.

Jago, who is also the head of the government delegation, claimed they agreed to register all government employees who are inside the camp so they can receive their salaries. He pointed out that the security forces will also control cases of thefts in houses within the town.

For his part, the head of the reconciliation and peace committee, Matthew Bichok, said the government should provide security guarantees for citizens first if it wants the citizens to return back to their homes.