President of South Sudan Salva Kiir today pledged commitment to resolve the ongoing conflict between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities in Jonglei state through dialogue.
Mr. Kiir also expressed commitment to protect civilians during a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Mr. Ban commended Mr. Kiir’s efforts to mobilize peacemaking activities in conflict-hit Jonglei state.
In the telephone conversation, Mr. Ban noted that the commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights was fundamental. He also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Mr. Ban informed the President that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is fully mobilized to assist the Government in its efforts to ease the tensions.
UNMISS has sent peacekeeping troops last week to troubled Jonglei State, which is under imminent attack by an estimated 6,000 armed men from one of two feuding communities in the area.
The UNMISS has also facilitated a reconciliation process between various communities for the past months. The Mission called on all communities in Jonglei State to put an end to the inter-communal violence and to immediately engage in a peace dialogue.
The Government also deployed a battalion of its army, the Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA), inside Pibor.
According to media reports, a large group of Lou Nuer men preparing for an attack were spotted during air patrols last week. Tens of thousands of Murle people have fled Pibor, fearing violence.
Jonglei state has been blighted by a series of reprisal attacks between the two communities, which have a history of animosity over grazing land, water sources and cattle raids during which women and children are often abducted.
Earlier this month of December, an outbreak of inter-ethnic violence earlier has left more than 40 people dead, most of them women, children and the elderly.