File: Sudanese Refugees wait for food distribution at a Maban Camp - June 2013. Photo: Joakino Francis/EyeRadio.

The UNHCR says it is planning to organize a meeting between locals and Sudanese refugees in Maban County, after tensions in the area led to killing of one person two weeks ago.

Maban County Commissioner, James Basha told Eye Radio last week, that the refugees clashed with the host community over grazing land.

Commissioner Basha said houses were burnt down and people fled the area due to the clashes.

An eyewitness who spoke to Eye Radio on conditions of anonymity said the incident started after suspicion that one of the refugees stole a cow that belonged to the local community member in Maban.

“I think the guy from the refugee camp thought the locals wanted to kill him, so he reported the matter to the rest of the refugees and they mobilized themselves to fight,” explained the witness.

UNHCR Senior Relations Officer Teresa Ongaro told Eye Radio that the Deputy Commissioner for Refugees Affairs in South Sudan will travel to Maban County to look into the matter.

She said they will try to reconcile the host community and the refugees.

“I do know that the Deputy Commissioner for Refugee Affairs is due to travel to Maban County to deal with the issue of peaceful coexistence.”

The authorities in Maban County say security officers have been deployed in the camps to maintain security in the area.

Co-author: Magdoline Josepgh