UNITED NATIONS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Friday called on leaders of Jonglei communities to exercise restraints, amid reports of new clashes in the war-torn state of South Sudan.
The mission, whose mandate has just been renewed till next July, urged leaders of all Jonglei communities, young people and local authorities "to exercise maximum restraint and urgently engage in reconciliation efforts," said UN Spokesperson Martin Nesirky in New York.
The UNMISS is "deeply concerned" about reports of new clashes as well as major mobilization of armed youth in the town of Pibor. Reports said that in Jonglei state, government troops, rebels and ethnic militia have fought in a new round of clashes since days ago.
Nesirky said that the UNMISS could not immediately verify details of the locations of the mobilized youth and clashes. "UNMISS is in constant contact with the Government of South Sudan, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, and officials in Jonglei. It is calling on them to take urgent action to prevent an escalation of the violence," Nesirky said.
In a unanimously-adopted resolution, the UN Security Council decided on Thursday to extend the mandate of the UNMISS till July 15, 2014.
Jonglei, the largest state in the eastern part of South Sudan, has been the scene of inter-communal violence since the country won its independence on July 11, 2011 from Sudan under a peace deal.
In April 2013, some attackers raided a UN convoy at Gumuruk in Jonglei, killing five Indian peacekeepers and at least seven UN civilian workers.
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