Displaced persons in MalaKal, Upper Nile erecting USAID-provided shelter/ Photo courtesy USAID

The UN mission in South Sudan is calling on the government to deploy security forces in Kodok town of Upper Nile State to contain the renewed fighting between armed youths in the area.

In a press statement on November 19, UNMISS said it is deeply concerned about reports of communal violence in Fashoda County north of the oil-rich state.

The peacekeeping mission said the fighting has displaced civilians into Malakal and Kodok towns as the situation remains tense and volatile.

According to UNMISS the violence between different groups that started in August has resulted in killings, displacement and destruction of property.

“Tensions and sporadic violence between different groups that started in August 2022, resulted in the displacement of thousands of people, as well as the harassment and killings of others,” reads the statement.

UNMISS has not specified the number of casualties and the displaced – and Eye Radio was not immediately able to reach the state authorities for comment.

The mission calls on the government authorities, key community leaders, and elders from both Shilluk and Nuer groups, in Jonglei and Upper Nile states, to use their influence to stop the brutal violence and prevent further suffering of civilians.

The UN statement also appealed to armed youth to cease mobilizing themselves to fight and instead embrace peaceful means to address their grievance.

UNMISS said it continues to safeguard humanitarian access, establish temporary operating bases, and intensify patrols in hotspot areas to deter violence.