UN voices concern over latest S.Sudan clashes as civilians flee
The United Nations said Friday it was "deeply concerned" by clashes between South Sudan's military and opposition forces in a southern state, where displaced civilians told AFP they had been left without food.
The world's youngest nation, which is deeply impoverished, has long been troubled by insecurity and instability.
But recent fighting between factions allied to President Salva Kiir and his long-time rival Vice-President Riek Machar have sparked worries of renewed war.
International observers fear a return to the five-year civil war that cost some 400,000 lives and was ended by a 2018 peace deal which brought the two rivals together in a unity government, but which increasingly appears to be unravelling.
Clashes between the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) in neighbouring Morobo and Yei counties in Central Equatoria State "have led to civilian displacement and casualties", the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said.
The state includes the capital, Juba, and under the 2018 agreement was split into areas controlled by government and opposition forces.
Pro-Machar forces denounced government attacks on a military cantonment in the area earlier this week, alleging the SSPDF were attempting to transform the counties into operational zones, warning civilians to leave as they directed troops to prepare for conflict.
The army did not respond to AFP's request for comment.
The UN did not give further details of the clashes, but urged an "immediate cessation of hostilities", especially given the "already fragile politicaland security conditions".
Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data Bullen said the situation in the area "remains volatile", adding that 7,000 people were being displaced daily in the county -- with the majority fleeing to Morobo town from outlying sub-districts.
Margret Ileli, 28, said she heard gunshots nearby on Tuesday afternoon "and we started running leaving everything behind".
She was now sheltering in Morobo town but told AFP: "I am confused and I don't know what to do next."
Charles Likambo, 30, was also displaced with his family of five, telling AFP he was forced to abandon his crops and goats.
"Me and my family have not received any food assistance, and my children keep on crying because they are hungry," he said, urging humanitarian organisations to help.
The clashes come as international concern mounts over the rising political tensions, with Machar placed under house arrest last month.
The violence has displaced more than 125,000 people since March, the UN said earlier this month, noting that more than 180 people had been killed and over 250 had been wounded.