At least 6,000 people from Likuangolei village in Greater Pibor Adminitrative Area have fled homes after a fresh armed attack on Wednesday. The special representative of the UN secretary general, in South Sudan, David Shearer said in a statement seen by Eye Radio.
“We are deeply concerned by these continued attacks and the impact on civilians who are being forced to flee their homes in fear for their lives and to seek sanctuary beside our base where conditions are dire because of recent flooding,” Shearer said.
The mission says many families are seeking safety in UN base in Pibor town. The UN boss urged parties to stop fighting and pull back to their home villages.
“Unless the fighting stops, the cost will be even higher for those who are affected,” said David Shearer adding “This area has already been badly hit by displacement, flooding, hunger, and COVID-19. Humanitarian agencies are stretched and working at their maximum limit to support vulnerable people. There are simply no reserves to meet the needs of thousands of civilians suffering further harm as a direct result of this violence.”
Shearer says a buffer zones need to be established for protection of people. Communal fighting involving communities from Jonglei state and Greater Pibor Administrative Area has been going since December lats year.
On Sunday, Dr. Wani Igga knelt before chiefs in Bor town calling for peace. Dr. Igga is leading a committee to resolve the intercommunal fighting in Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative Area.