A minister in Upper Nile says the mobile network company, Zain, is repairing its mast damaged in recent fighting.

Two weeks ago, fighting between the SPLA and rebel forces erupted in Upper Nile when rebels attempted to take control of oil fields.

Zain’s mast in Malakal town was damaged in the fighting, cutting off thousands of people from mobile communications.

Upper Nile state Minister of Information Philip Jebeni told Eye Radio that the mast supplies network connections to Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states.

“This station and mast were shot at with machine guns and they have been damaged. Yesterday engineers came from Juba to start reconstruction work. As soon as the maintenance is done, the network will be back on for all the counties in the three states,” he said.

Mr.Jebini said that the situation in the oil fields and Malakal town is calm.

“The situation in Renk and Meluth is calm, including the situation in the oil fields, life is normal in all counties except in Nasir County. The situation in Ulang County is also back to normal and the situation in Longechuk, Maiwut and other counties is also stable,” he said.

Mr Jibeni called on humanitarian organizations to assist people displaced by the conflict in the state.