President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has declared a state of emergency in most parts of the country’s north-west.
According to a statement, broadcast on state television, a reason for the decree was not given but the state of emergency is expected to last for three months.
Multiple reports have it that the conflict in South Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than two million since 2013. The last state of emergency was in 2014 in Unity State in the north and Jonglei in the east as rebels fought government forces.
According to the United Nations thousands of civilians have fled the town of Pagak and its surrounding areas, crossing the border into Ethiopia. Aid workers have also been forced to relocate.
