Fighting erupted in South Sudan after rebels attacked the army on Wednesday and Thursday. The violence claimed the lives of 105 people, officials said. 39 civilians, 24 South Sudan soldiers, and 42 of the rebels, Col. Philip Aguer, South Sudan's army spokesman said. The clashes happened between armed men loyal to a former high-ranking southern army commander who attacked the South Sudan army, breaking a cease fire imposed in January. The general commander George Athor's men attacked the towns of Fangak and Dor in the Upper Nile region on Wednesday and the fighting continued through Thursday when the southern military intervened to end it, spokesman said. Reports mention that no new fighting was reported on Friday. Medical supplies and personnel have been flown to Malakal, the major town in Upper Nile state, a medical group said. George Athor defected from his position in the southern army earlier this year to run for governor in Jonglei state, but after losing the vote in 2010, Athor revolted against the southern government, alleging fraud with an unknown number of his men last year. However, he signed a cease fire after the vote. The violence came after the official vote results to secede from the north was announced this week. 99 percent of people voted for the separation. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said earlier that it expects an estimated 800,00 people to move from the north to their newly independent state. The agency added that this situation might “put pressure on the already fragile situation in the south.” The infant southern Sudan state still lakes proper infrastructure and basic services. BM
