Government officials in South Sudan’s newly created Boma state said there are fears of renewed clashes between local youth from neighboring Jonglei State and members of the Murle tribe in Boma state.
Boma State Minister of Information, John Achuan, told Radio Tamazuj on Monday that there are new movements of Bor youth along the border that could lead to fresh communal clashes between the two states.
Achuan further said this comes as officials and chiefs from the two states were planning to travel to Terekeka for a peace conference that was scheduled to start yesterday.
He said yesterday. “The Jonglei government is aware of this because we were supposed to go to Terekeka to sign the peace deal with support from UMISS. But to our surprise, last night we saw the Bor youth have crossed to our border and even their presence have made UNMISS to postpone their plane which was scheduled to take our representatives to Terekeka for the peace.”
Achuan, who is also the government spokesman, noted that they have already notified Jonglei state officials of the developments but little seems to have been done.
The official pointed out that if they are attacked by the youth from Bor, they will have no option but to defend themselves. He called on the national government and UNMISS to intervene and prevent further clashes.
For his part, Jacob Akec, Jonglei State Minister of Information, denied any knowledge of claims that Bor youth have advanced on Boma, saying all the state’s efforts are focused on achieving peace.
The two communities have been involved in revenge cattle raids that have led to killings and displacement.