By Parach Mach 

JUBA, South Sudan

Forty people were killed and dozens others kidnapped when an armed group attacked a tribal community in Duk Padiet in northeastern Jonglei state during an attempt to steal livestock Tuesday, an official said. 

Tension in the region remains high. 

“There have been attacks on Duk Panyang and Duk Payuel since Monday, but today morning [Tuesday] they [an armed group] managed to killed 40 people and injured 19,” Jonglei state Information Minister Jacob Akech Dengdit told Anadolu Agency via telephone. 

The official said the armed men came from neighboring Boma state. 

“Despite the government’s initiative to restore peace among local community, the bandits from Murle in Boma continue to inflict disaster,” he said. 

More than 1,000 animals were also stolen and dozens of children and women abducted, he added. 

Tension has been cropping up between Jonglei and Boma states since May over the long standing issue of cattle raiding, child abduction, mass rape and killing of civilians that have been left undressed over the years among the communities. 

This is the latest in a series of clashes between the rival communities. 

In July, President Salva Kiir declared a state of emergency in some parts of the country to quell tribal clashes and to allow a forceful disarmament of civilians by authorities; however, the declaration of emergency did not end the tribal violence.

Since the start of this year, more than 500 people are estimated to have lost their lives despite government's attempts to mediate between feuding communities.

The three-and-a-half years of civil war in South Sudan has fueled tribal division and inter-communal violence across the country.