Thousands of civilians are affected by security situation in Jonglei, UN says

April 10, 2013 (JUBA) – The United Nations relief agency on Wednesday reported that the thousands of civilians continue to be affected in the troubled South Sudanese state of Jonglei.

Jonglei, South Sudan largest state, is the scene of tribal fighting between Murle, Nuer and Dinka over land and cattle ownership. The region also witnesses a rebellion led by David Yau Yau since April 2010 before the independence of the new nation.

“The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the situation in South Sudan’s Jonglei State remains tense. Civilians continue to be affected by inter-communal clashes and fighting between the South Sudan army and armed groups.” Said deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey on Wednesday.

OCHA was not able to provide figures about the number of displaced population due to the insecurity and limited access to many areas. However the relief agency cited estimations advanced by aid groups saying some 9,000 civilians fled Pibor.

“Tens of thousands of people are thought to have been displaced by recent clashes”, he added alluding to the recent fighting between the South Sudanese army and the rebel group. Pibor is the homeland of Murle tribe and rebel leader Yau Yau.

The UN deputy spokesperson said that aid organisations are trying to reach the affected areas and to provide humanitarian assistance to the needy civilians. While UN agencies and partners are planning an assessment of the affected communities’ needs.

Following the tribal clashes between Nuer and Murles tribes since in 2012, the South Sudanese government declared Jonglei “disaster area” and deployed some 3,000 soldiers there to avoid an increase of violence there.

In December 2012, South Sudanese soldiers shot down a UN helicopter in Jonglei and killed four Russian pilots. The incident angered Moscow which at the time said planning to withdraw its 102 Russian pilots and technicians working UN mission in the new country.

(ST)