Coutesy-of-crwflg.com

The new commissioner of Leer County, Unity, says more than 200 Sudanese traders stranded by fighting between government forces and forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar are now safe.

Commissioner Stephen Taker Riek, who was appointed over the weekend, says the traders spent 14 days in the custody of forces loyal to Dr. Machar.

He told Eye Radio that the traders were found in Gador Payam.

“They are 213 traders. Those who are working in the market, they are traders from Sudan.  The rebels had captured them and they took them away. They were in the bush for 14 days. They took them to a place called Gador payam. The SPLA went there and rescued them. There were no clashes because the rebels left when they heard the SPLA was coming. The traders have been brought and they are now in Leer town,” he said.

Commissioner Taker denied claims that government forces destroyed Leer town in an offensive against Dr. Machar’s forces on Saturday.

He said Leer town is calm.

“The situation in Leer County is normal. It is quiet, there is no problem. People are working and the government has resumed its work. There is no fighting, there is no looting and there is no problem at all happening in Leer,” he said.

He added, however, that Internally Displaced Persons in Leer need humanitarian assistance.

By John Makak