UN wary of ethnic revenge fighting escalating in South Sudan's Pibor area

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) revealed on Thursday that the recent heightened tension between the Dinka and Murle tribes in the northeast Pibor area near the Ethiopian border could result in massive death and casualties.

"We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the Pibor area between Dinka Bor youth and Murle youth. We have been engaging with communities there over the past few weeks. And they are supporting peace efforts by the government and first vice president," the head of UNMISS David Shearer revealed in Juba.

The pastoralist Dinkas from Jonglei and their Murle neighbours in Boma state have for long been wrangling leading to cattle raids and child abductions.

And the rivalry has since January heightened due to mass mobilization of heavily armed youth on both sides that could further exacerbate insecurity in the youngest nation.

"We are certainly worried about the escalation and mobilization of youth from both sides. They are heavily armed and therefore any clashes could result in large numbers of casualties. There have been skirmishes, cattle raiding and also abduction of children from the Dinka side but also I am hearing from the Murle side that the Dinka's have reciprocated," Shearer added.

The UNMISS head also disclosed that they were hoping for the coming rainy season to help subside the fighting and provide greater impetus to peace efforts that will help restore the affected northern parts of the country where famine was declared in February. Endit