Fighting broke out between the South Sudan People's Defense Forces and 'armed youth' in Nasir

The United Nations has called for calm as it reported deadly clashes in South Sudan have killed civilians and wounded a peacekeeper.

Fighting broke out between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPSF) and “armed youth” in Nasir in Upper Nile state – which borders Sudan – on February 14 and 15, the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a statement on Monday.

The oil-rich but impoverished nation, which achieved independence only in 2011, is plagued by instability with frequent clashes and political infighting.

The UN did not identify the armed groups that clashed with the SSPSF, a national military force led by President Salva Kiir, head of the country’s unity government.
The statement said some fighters used “heavy weaponry which has, reportedly, resulted in deaths and injuries to civilians as well as armed personnel”.