Authorities in Jonglei State have ordered youth involved in last week’s clashes over the ownership of an island along the River Nile to vacate the contested area until a solution is found.

On Wednesday, local youth from Jonglei and Eastern Lakes States fought over the ownership of Chuetakwet, an island which is located between the two states.

The state information minister, Atong Kuol Manyang, told Radio Tamazuj on Saturday that local residents from Jonglei started vacating the area since Friday in a bid to ease the mounting tensions among the two communities. 

She further said security forces from Juba will be deployed to restore calm.

 “A delegation headed by the Twic North County commissioner could not access the area because it was not safe, so they were recalled. Their mission was to restore calm and see what is happening on the ground,” said Atong.

“There has a communication between the national government and Eastern Lakes authorities. A fact-finding team will be sent to the area,” she added.

 Atong urged Eastern Lakes authorities to order their youth to vacate the area.