The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it has set up a temporary peacekeeping base in Tonj and regular patrols are underway to deter a fresh outbreak of violence.
The move came following a series of clashes in Tonj East County of Warrap State that resulted in the death and displacement of many civilians last week.
The clashes erupted between members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and armed youth, with much of the violence centered around the village of Romic, about 100 kilometers east of Tonj town. The conflict came amidst a disarmament exercise being carried out across the region.
In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, the peacekeeping team led by Bangladeshi military personnel, civil affairs and human rights workers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan, travelled 11 hours from Kuajok through heavily flooded territory to get to Tonj.
“They quickly established a temporary base, began patrolling, and have held numerous meetings with local authorities, high-ranking military officers, community leaders and youth in Tonj town, Ameth and Mabior-Yar to support reconciliation efforts,” the UN mission said in a statement.
It said the team is also working to verify the number of casualties resulting from the clashes with local authorities now estimating the death toll may be as high as 150 with 5,000 people reportedly displaced.
According to UNMISS, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces Commander responsible for disarmament in the area, General Bol Akot, has described the security situation in the area as “calm”. However, it has also been reported by local officials that the situation in Romic remains tense and volatile.