At least 75 people have died in the past two weeks due to violence between rival communities in the disputed area of Abyei on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, the UN’s representative in South Sudan Nicholas Haysom has said.
He called on the government to investigate the attacks and reduce tensions. He also urged community leaders not to use violence as a solution.
There have been ongoing clashes between the Ngok and Twic communities over resources in Abyei.
Earlier this week the South Sudan army was accused by a local leader of co-ordinating attacks with rival armed youth – allegations the military denies.
The embassies of Norway, the UK, and the US issued a statement asking the South Sudan government to withdraw its troops from Abyei to prevent further violence.
Both Sudan and South Sudan have claimed oil-rich Abyei but agreed on temporary administrative arrangements in a 2011 deal.
However, both sides have been accused by human rights activists of going against the agreement.
Abyei currently remains under the protection of UN peacekeeping troops.