An undated photo showing internally displaced persons camped at a temporary UNMISS base in Pibor. (Credit: Social Media).

The UN mission in South Sudan and international partners have called for an immediate end to mounting violence in the Greater Pibor area carried out by armed youth from Jonglei state.

Days of escalating fighting have been reported in Gumuruk County and the surrounding areas leaving 56 people dead and dozens injured from both sides.

Pibor Information Minister said the fighting began on Sunday when armed youths attacked the village of Lanam and clashed with the natives.

More than 10,000 civilians – including women and children, have been displaced to the administrative capital and neighboring areas, according to Pibor authorities.

The White Army militia group also fought SSPDF troops garrisoned in the area according to a senior army official.

The information minister for Jonglei state also condemned the fighting and called on young fighters from the state, to immediately end the violence, and return home.

Both senior local officials also called for central Government intervention to end the violence.
Reacting to the situation, the UN and partners urged combatants and supporters “to immediately cease hostilities, exercise restraint and respect human rights.”

They also called on the government “to urgently intervene to stop the fighting and ensure the safety and security of civilians as well as humanitarian access to people affected by the fighting.

They emphasized the need to investigate and hold all perpetrators of violence to account, “including those who are instigating and inciting violence and those responsible for the abduction of women and children.”

The statement also strongly encouraged national politicians and traditional leaders to persuade young fighters to stop the violence and pursue a dialogue-based approach that focuses on restoring calm and peacefully resolving the root causes of the conflict.