The area commissioner, Joseph Aban earlier said, the attackers he alleged were militias from the neighboring Jonglei State targeted several villages including Padit, Pothow, and Bodh.

This resulted in significant loss of lives and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians in the area.

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 8,000 civilians were displaced to Kodok town and other locations.

However, in an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday, the Cabinet condemned the recent clashes.

The executive also called on the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities.

According to the national Minister of Information Michael Makuei, the condemnation came after President Salva Kiir raised the Upper Nile state’s conflict in the cabinet meeting.

“The President raised the issue of the situation in Upper Nile state and especially in Malakal and the western part of Upper Nile where there’s that conflict between the people of Olony and the people of Gatwech Dual,” said Makuei.

“We don’t know which is which and there is a lot of displacement and after thorough discussion,

“The cabinet decided to condemn all that is happening over there and called on all parties to cessation hostilities and come to their senses so that peace can prevail in South Sudan,

“The cabinet also decided that this issue is complex and passed to the Presidency for further consideration.”

Makuei said the Council of Ministers decided to refer the conflict in Upper Nile State to the Presidency.