In December last year, a renewed communal conflict erupted between the armed youth from Jonglei State and Pibor Administrative Area.

As a result, 56 people were reportedly killed and dozens of others were injured.

The escalated fighting also displaced 30,000 thousand people, according to a UN report.

Weeks later, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces sent its troops to the scene to flash out the armed youth terrorizing the civilians and return security to normalcy.

Speaking to Eye Radio this morning from Bor town, Jonglei state Information Minister, John Samuel Manyuon said civilians are still in fear due to continuous attacks in the area.

“In other areas of Jonglei, we are only getting disturbances in Uror, there is not a single day without an attack in the areas of Motot, also in a place called Pulchol. There is also fear in areas of Pieria as well as in Paritet,” Samuel said.

“The attack was carried out recently by armed criminals from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, so this has caused fear in half of the surrounding area.”

For his part, Information Minister for the Greater Pibor Administrative area, Abraham Kelang Jiji had this to say:

“My response to the Jonglei Information Minister saying there are youths from GPA attacking the Uror side is not true according to me. This is because GPA youth stays in our land here and they are busy with the attacking days happening,” said Kelang.

“Since it started on 25th December 2023, the youths have been busy in Lekuangole and Gumuruk Counties. Even yesterday [3RD January 2023]. We have another attack also in the Lekuangole that happened yesterday in Nyargem.”

The two officials have also called armed youth from the two areas to cease hostilities.