Dinka and Mundari elders announced yesterday that the Juba-Terekeka road to Rumbek has been reopened following two weeks' closure due to violence between members of the two communities.

Deputy chairman of the Mundari community in Juba Wani Buyu said in a news conference at the Central Equatoria state secretariat that the two groups agreed to work together to diffuse tensions.

“We are very much concerned about the situation that has taken place and we appeal for calm and unity of the two communities," Buyu said. "We are sorry for what has happened and we appeal for the families to accepted our condolences.”

Buyu said the problem began when SPLA soldiers opened fire on two Mundari men returning from a clinic, leading to panic in the market and escalated fighting.

Fifteen people were killed in clashes between Mundari militia and Dinka SPLA units, Buyu said. Seven of the dead were Mundari and eight were SPLA.

Dinka elder Justice Ambrose Ring Thiik said the two communities will meet with SPLA leaders to ensure that army units stationed in Mundari area will be mixed to reduce tensions "beacuse it is our national army not Dinka."

Justice said that Mundari leaders initiated the dialogue to solve the issue.

Central Equatoria state has experienced intermittent violence for the last year, including the murder of 10 people at Tail Payam in Terekeka County last December and clashes between the Mundari and Bari communities which left 12 dead in January this year.