There are new reports of violent clashes between SPLA troops, rebel armies and ethnic forces in Jonglei.

“Youth from Greater Akobo and youth from Pibor County are fighting in Jonglei state, creating tension and insecurity in the area,” the State Minister for Youth and Sports, Baba Medan, has told Eye Radio.

Hon. Medan said fighting is still going on today, but he has not received any new information about casualties.

“But our worry is that fighting; a lot of cows are being taken by Lou and innocent people like women and the children killed,” he added.

On Wednesday, Eye Radio spoke to the Commissioner of Akobo, Koang Rambang Tole, who said his youth had not attacked Pibor and that they are busy farming.

However, in the neighboring county of Uror, people are living in fear, according to the county commissioner.

Simon Duath told Eye Radio that the violence broke out on Monday but today, he has had no reports about the situation.

“The only one was between 9th and 8^th. That is the only incident which I know of, but the fear everybody ranging I did not see anything they just evacuated.’’

President Kiir and the US ambassador to South Sudan have condemned the ongoing violence in Jonglei State.

In his 2^nd Independence Day speech, President Kiir said “the lives of our citizens and of international peacekeepers have been tragically lost and many others have been displaced.”

In April, an ambush on UN convoy left five peacekeepers and seven aid workers dead in the county.

UN reports indicate that the violence in the area has displaced about 120,000 civilians, some of whom have crossed over to the neighboring Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.