Undated photo of Ambororo pastoralists pictured crossing a river in Western Equatoria State. | File photo.

A local Non-Governmental Organization in Western Equatoria State is calling on the government to protect civilians in Ibba County after the recent killing of two local leaders by armed nomads from Central Africa Republic.

A youth leader and a local chief were reportedly killed during conflict with the foreign nomads over water in the border town of Ibba two weeks ago.

The first incident was the killing of Simon Pakasa, Nabanga Payam youth leader, on March 9, 2023.

According to Ibba Commissioner Elisama Charles, Pakasa was killed and two others were wounded when fighting erupted at a water-point in Madebe Payam where Ambororo pastoralists have camped with their cattle.

The next day, the armed ethnic ambororo killed a local chief in a similar conflict over water resource in the area.

This prompted the state government to ban trading and any interaction between the citizens and the Ambororo pastoralists in the state.

In a press statement this week, the Azande Supreme Welfare Organization condemned the incidents and called on the government to protect civilians from external threats and aggression.

The organization said the fighting has also led to lose of properties and the displacement of at least 1,00o people from three payams in Ibba County.

It blames the attack on the Seleka rebels – a notorious militia group widely active in Central Africa Republic and linked to Al Qaeda Islamist Group.

“The activities of the heavily armed Ambororo men along the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic and South Sudan have soared in recent months causing severe panic, insecurity and harassment to civilians in South Sudan,” the organization noted.