Pibor Administrative Area - Courtesy

Authorities in Greater Pibor are calling on the national government and the government of Ethiopia to intervene in the ongoing clashes in the Lekuongole area.

According to the Information Minister of Greater Pibor, the clashes which flared over the weekend were carried out by armed youth believed to have crossed into the country from Ethiopia.

The fighting reportedly resulted in the death of 23 people including three women and an infant, and the wounding of 14 others.

Minister Abraham Kelang Jiji said some of the casualties were found with Ethiopian National Identity cards.

He called on the two governments to intervene in the conflict.

“Yesterday from the 23 dead people we found from them Ethiopian Nationality which is an evidence for the Government of South Sudan to intervene,” he said.

“(The government should involve Ethiopian Government why they are participating in South Sudan inter-communal conflict. Clashes are still ongoing in GPAA because the Akobo youth and Ethiopian are still in the same place in the side of Lekuongole.”

Both the Ethiopian government and the South Sudan governments are yet to comment on the matter.

Last month, armed raiders from Jonglei State attacked Gumuruk County of Pibor, leading to deadly fighting with the local youth.

Pibor authorities said 56 people were killed, dozens injured and around 30,000 thousand people were displaced.