Some angry residents in South Sudan have reportedly attacked a UN compound in the country’s Upper Nile State.
The attack on Monday was caused by what the residents claim is discrimination against them in employment.
The East African reports that a mob from the Upper Nile community went on rampage destroying vehicles.
The residents also ransacked offices and set some buildings ablaze at the Maban camp.
They claim the UN did not engage locals to work as aid workers at the Maban camp.
The locals claim most of the aid workers are from the southern part of the country.
The Upper Nile base shares borders with the Blue Nile State in Sudan. The area is host to some 170,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan.
An aid worker is reported to have confirmed the incident. She said tensions remain high between the youth in the area and aid agencies working there.
The communications officer for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Juba, Mr Gilesto Moses told The East African that the situation remains tensed.
He is quoted as saying that “the tension was palpable since last week, but we were unaware that it would result to this.”
Past attacks on aid agencies
This month a convoy belonging to UNICEF was attacked by gunmen in South Sudan.
An assistant driver in one of the cars in the convoy was killed in the attack, according to UNICEF.
The attack happened north of South Sudan’s capital Juba near Mangalla town.
Attacks on humanitarian convoys in the east African country is regular as efforts to end a civil war faces challenges.
South Sudan’s political rival leaders have recently signed a draft deal towards ending the current civil war in the country.
South Sudan gained independence in 2011 from north Sudan but fighting broke out two years later.
Source: Africafeeds.com
