Western Bahr el Ghazal Governor Rizik Zacharia accused rebels aligned with the SPLM-IO of recruiting in his state.

Zacharia said he hoped new commissioners appointed this week would help unite the state and prevent the rebels from making inroads in the state.

The governor swore in commissioners of Jur River, Raja and Wau counties as part of a recent government reshuffle. Zacharia said the shakeups will continue in the New Year and focus on state ministers.

Former Wau Mayor Arkangelo Anyar Anyar, who lost his job as part of the reshuffle, told Radio Tamazuj that it is a normal part of state government and had nothing to do with political differences.

Anyar confirmed that there have been signs of rebel activity in the state, but said the government was in control of the situation.