23 December 2012 - Relative calm has returned to the Western Bahr El-Ghazal state capital of Wau following violence that broke out in various neighbourhoods on 19 December.

Shops and commercial establishments opened yesterday as usual, amid a heavy presence of Sudan People's Liberation Army troops and South Sudan National Police Service officers throughout the city.

Several thousand civilians, mainly women and children, who had sought refuge in the UNMISS compound at the height of the violence, have now returned to their homes.

But an overnight curfew the state government imposed after disturbances broke out remains in place and UNMISS armored personnel carriers continue to secure the local airport.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir is expected to visit Wau on 24 December.
The city's disturbances left an unconfirmed number of people dead, scores injured and dozens of properties destroyed.