Some twenty people are killed and over 20,000 displaced following the intercommunal fighting in Western Equatoria state, according to a statement released by the National Salvation Front (NAS).
Since last July armed clashes have erupted in Tombura County between the Azande and Balanda ethnic groups.
The UN Mission in South Sudan UNMISS deployed patrols to protect civilians but the violence continued in the area.
In a statement extended t the Sudan Tribune the non-signatory NAS said the clashes affected several areas including Yubu, Akpa, Mabenge, Kpatanyayo among others.
“Over twenty Thousand (20,000) people were displaced, and about twenty people killed (20),” said the statement before mentioning the murder of the former Commissioner of Tombura County, Babiro Charles Gbamsi who was killed in his house on 24 August.
NAS which gathers fighters from the two ethnic groups called on the two sides to stop violence adding that the rift will only profit to the “conflict entrepreneurs” in Juba.
The statement further accused the government of President Salva Kiir of encouraging the hostilities the intercommunal fighting.
In return, it hailed the efforts of the religious communities to promote the peaceful resolution of the conflict and UNMISS for providing humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians.
The non-signatory group called on the International Community especially the AU, UN and TROIKA to press the government in Juba not to instigate conflicts among the communities of South Sudan.
On 12 August, UNMISS estimated that over 30,000 people have been displaced and some 500 households are camping in a church compound in Mupoi Payam.
Source: Sudan Tribune