The caretaker governor of Unity State says residents of Bentiu are returning to the town as the area is experiencing calm since last month.

Dr. Joseph Nguen Monytuil said civilians are coming back into town to resume their normal lives.

He told Eye Radio that people have returned to most of the residential areas that were deserted during the fighting between government forces and forces loyal to Dr. Riek Machar.

“Yes, it is true people are coming back to Bentiu,” he said.

“After the government forces retook the town of Leer and the arrival of the Commissioner, they are being transported to Bentiu and people are returning to their homes.”

Dr. Monytuil said the government is working with the government Crisis Management Committee to provide the returnees with basic needs:

“We as a state government have put some measures in place in coordination with the national Crisis Management Committee so that we buy food items from the nearest [places] like in Bhar el Ghazal or elsewhere to Unity state.”

Dr. Joseph Monytuil called on the people of South Sudan to reconcile.

Yesterday, the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees, the UNHCR, issued an advisory urging the government to not hasten the repatriation of South Sudanese until, it says, peace has been restored.