The Commissioner of Ayod in Jonglei State has ordered his county workers to return home and resume their duties before Christmas.

The office of the commissioner was transferred to the state capital Bor after fighting broke out in Ayod early this year.  Most of the government employees left the county.

The order to return to Ayod comes after the state government officials in collaboration with the county authorities visited the county headquarters two days ago.

County Commissioner, Michael Both, told Eye Radio this morning chiefs will help in providing security to returnees.

“We are going to assign the security to the chiefs,” said Mr Both.

“The chiefs are the ones to control all these issues in which if a certain youth from a certain area has to go and maybe start to fight other youths, this is the work of the local chiefs and then the government will intervene through them.”

Mr Both says the SPLA will also ensure that the people celebrate Christmas in peace.

The state government spokesman, Jodi Jonglei, who accompanied the county commissioner, says civilians in Ayod town are being supported by the South Sudan government and Non-governmental Organizations.

He encourages people to return home.

“Ayod town itself is safe; nothing they should worry about. So people can come to Ayod.”

Mr Jodi says Ayod town is now hosting more than 5,000 people who returned from different areas of the county.

The latest situation report from the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the situation in Jonglei was largely calm but unpredictable in the first week of December.

It however said fighting was reported in Fangak.