Agoot Alier, the acting governor of South Sudan’s Jonglei State said his government has received credible information that local youths from neighbouring Boma State are mobilizing to carry out attacks on areas in Jonglei.

Alier told reporters on Wednesday evening that youth mobilization in the areas of Gumruk, Manybol, and lekuangole is ongoing and that the move aims to derail dialogue scheduled for next month between Murle and Dinka Bor communities.

The official claimed that rebels in Boma State are arming the locals. The deputy governor urged the government of Boma state to intervene.

 Boma officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The pastoralist Dinkas from Jonglei and their Murle neighbours in Boma state have for long been wrangling leading to cattle raids and child abductions. The two sides signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in Juba in May but the deal could not hold.V