Government and opposition officials said the security situation was calm Monday in 'Maiwut State', located in what is otherwise known as Adar State, following clashes on Friday.

Baruach Uluch Akolaton, the state minister of information, told Radio Tamazuj that the area has been calm after fighting between armed civilians and SPLA-IO forces at Gokjak, Nyoplew, Baar and Wecgatluakrik areas.

“According to reports, the clashes erupted over supplies being transported to SPLA-IO forces by barge from Nassir to Jikou. But when the barge stopped at Nyoplew, Gokjak, Baar and Wecgatluakrik areas, the SPLA-IO forces came and attacked civilians in those areas,” he said.

Lam Paul Gabriel, a deputy spokesman for the SPLA-IO group, confirmed that violent clashes erupted between their soldiers and armed civilians near Jikou, say things are returning to normal following fighting between two both sides.

“Our forces were patrolling the area to monitor their barge that was transporting food from Nassir to Jikou, so our forces met and clashed with civilians loyal to the Provisional Military and Political Council led by General James Ochan Puot,” he explained.

The deputy military spokesman urged both sides to show restraint, saying that there is no military solution to the ongoing tension in the area. He called on the peace monitoring body to intervene.

Gew Monylang, the deputy spokesman of the Provisional Military and Political Council, said the security situation has returned to normal but tension is mounting between both sides.

“The incident happened when SPLA-IO soldiers in Jikou came and attacked innocent farmers,” he said.

Monylang further said at least seven civilians were killed in the violent clashes.

“These clashes in areas that have been relatively calm for many months is worrying,” said David Shearer, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

The mission said in a statement on Monday that it received reports of clashes over supplies being transported by barge near Jikou.

It pointed out that humanitarian workers were relocated out of the area for their own safety.

General Ochan Puot, who was deputy commander of the SPLA-IO’s division 5, joined the government in October.