A member of a youth group says 16 people have been killed and 40 houses burnt in inter-communal violence in Ng’auro payam of Budi County, Eastern Equatoria state.

The chairperson of the Budi Youth Association said that ten men and six women were killed in the incident.

Lojohomoi William told a press briefing in Juba that the government should provide protection to people in Budi County.

“We appeal to the state government to put some security or police in place to bring down tension between the communities,” he said.

“We also appeal to the entire youth of Eastern Equatoria state to desist from acts of violence and organized crime against other communities but to get involved in practices that encourage peace and development.”

Mr William said the incident happened last Saturday but up to now the situation is ‘tense’ and people have fled the town.

Last year, 68 houses and shops were looted and burnt down and 3 people – a doctor, a nurse and a patient – were killed in inter-communal violence in Lorema payam of the same county.