Authority in Upper Nile state have said almost 48 people were killed and 140 others wounded during clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces in the border of Burebiey in Nasir County.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Upper Nile state governor, James Koang said the situation has come to normal.
“The fighting that occurred yesterday in the Burebiey area, our border with Ethiopia in the morning around 11 A.M, the IO attacked our forces in the Burebiey area and then they were repelled. he stressed.
“We are for peace and if anyone wants to talk to us, we are available. so, please stop attacking the SSPDF position” he added.
Meanwhile Peter Owla, the Upper Nile state Minister of Information the incident happened on Saturday, but the situation had returned to normal.
“I have confirmed it that it happened yesterday, up to now, the situation is normal. but I don’t have many details” he underlined.
When contacted, the SSPDF spokesperson, Maj. General Lul Ruai Koang said his office was not given a report on the incident.
“We were not given the report. Today is Sunday, maybe tomorrow” he said.
On February 14 and 15 this year, UN reported emphasized that fighting broke out between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPSF) and “armed youth” in Nasir in Upper Nile state which borders Sudan.
However, the recent clashes that occurred on Saturday was in Burebiey which is the border between South Sudan and Ethiopia.
The oil-rich but impoverished nation, which achieved independence only in 2011, is plagued by instability with frequent clashes and political infighting.