The Anyuak tribe in Boma state, one of South Sudan’s newly created states, has presented a petition to President Salva Kiir demanding the split of Boma into two states, a youth leader in Pochalla County said.

Mau Geyi, an Anyuak youth leader in Pochalla County, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the demand for a separate state surfaced after increasing incidents of child abductions and cattle rustling allegedly by Murle tribesmen.

He claimed that the Anyuak ethnic group is being marginalized in Boma state.

Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Anyuak community, Okedi Omot confirmed that they had submitted a petition to President Kiir demanding separation from Boma state.

Omot pointed out that the Anyuak tribe is being assimilated by the dominant ethnic groups, saying the community wants to be separate in order to preserve its culture and heritage.