Thousands of people displaced by the recent fighting in Mongala County, Jubek State, are in need of food assistance, an official has said.

Over the weekend, armed men clashed with organized forces during the inauguration of the new commissioner of Mongala County.

Authorities reported that 2 soldiers were killed, and 8 others injured in the incident. However, the cause of the fighting is unclear.

County Commissioner Elario Paul Pataki says urgent intervention from the government and humanitarian agencies is needed in the area.

“Now people have reached an extent of eating uncooked rice and drinking dirty water,”  Mr Pataki told Eye Radio.

However, he said calm has returned to the area.