February 24, 2016 (JUBA) – At least five people are confirmed dead and 35 others wounded and thousands more displaced in South Sudan’s newly created Boma state capital, Pibor, according to officials and a medical charity organization.

A wounded man arrives in Bor after being evacuated by the UN from the fighting in Pibor. 14 July 2013 (ST)

Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders in South Sudan said their compound has been looted amid fighting that broke out on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday in Pibor town between the South Sudanese army (SPLA) and forces loyal to former administrator of the area, David Yau Yau.

“At least 35 wounded and approximately 1000 people seeking shelter at the UNMISS base,” MSF said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

Authorities in Pibor reported tension in the area since President Salva Kiir appointed Baba Maden Konyi as governor of newly created Boma state, predominantly inhabited by the Murle tribe, replacing David Yau Yau, a former rebel fighter who had ruled the area as administrator for two years.

On Tuesday, fighting broke out in Pibor in the early afternoon and continued throughout Wednesday. According to Pibor residents, five bodies from government soldiers were found on the ground Tuesday night. Other reports suggested that nine other people are killed, grass-thatched huts burn and the market looted.

The medical charity, MSF – which is the only organization providing health services in the area said its team was forced to seek safety at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) base after their compound came under sprayed bullets.

"There are critical emergency medical needs right now in Pibor, and really limited capacity to respond and save lives," said Corinne Benazech , the head of MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan in the press statement.

"We need to assess the damage and looting of the MSF health centre, but if we cannot restart activities this could make a bad situation catastrophic, since MSF provides the only healthcare in the area,” Benazech added.

MSF called on all armed actors to respect international humanitarian law, which protects civilians, medical facilities and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

Authorities in Juba declined to comment on the fighting in Pibor allegedly waiting details from SPLA field commander in Pibor.

Yau Yau forces fought the government for many years until a peace deal was struck in 2014 which made him the administrator of the area until elections. However, this arrangement was suddenly altered by President Kiir when he created 28 new states in October last year and instead appointed another Murle, Baba, to take the state to 2018 elections.

There are fears that the situation may further escalate into a full scale armed conflict in the area between the government forces and the Murle backed opposition forces.

(ST)