At least 26 people including women and children were killed and four others injured in fresh inter-communal clashes between the Toposa and Didinga tribes in Nauru area on 20 May, a local lawmaker said.

Abdullah Angelo, an MP in the state assembly of the proposed Namurnyang, told Radio Tamazuj that members of Toposa attacked from Kapoeta East, resulting in the deaths and the torching of several houses.

Angelo explained that the incident took place after the Toposa accused members of Didinga ethnic group of abducting about 18 children and some cows on 18 May. 

The parliamentarian regretted the incident. He noted that there are efforts exerted by the state authorities to hold a peace conference between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Daniel Narui Lochiek, Budi County Commissioner, confirmed renewed fighting between the two ethnic groups in the area. He pointed out that they were surprised by an attack on the Didinga tribe by members of the Tobosa tribe from Kapoeta East.

"Yes on 20 of May there was a big incident, about 26 people were killed and four people wounded, houses were also torched like the last incident," the commissioner confirmed.

The commissioner revealed that he recently travelled to Kapoeta East with the governor to acquaint themselves with the situation and to know the reason for the recent attack on the Didinga tribe.

"When the incident took place, I went to Kapoeta. I went together with the governor, we asked them what was the reason for fighting and torching of houses, they said they wanted to revenge because about 18 children and cows were taken by the Didinga, so this is their people," he said 

According to the local official, some committees have already been set up to investigate the incident, adding they also plan for a peace conference between the two tribes.

On 18 May, at least 13 people were reported killed and 7 others wounded when fighting erupted between the two tribes over stolen cattle.