REUTERS

A man waves South Sudan's national flag as he attends the Independence Day celebrations in the capital Juba.

Johannesburg - At least 46 people were killed in fresh ethnic clashes this week in South Sudan, local media reported on Wednesday, as the young country's government struggles to calm tribal tensions.

The latest clashes took place late on Monday between the Murle ethnic group and members of the Dinka people, reports said.

The Murle were the targets of attacks by the rival Lou Nuer ethnic group late last year and this month.

It was unclear why they attacked the Dinka group, but the Sudan Tribune newspaper said there were reports that members of the group had joined the Lou Nuer warriors in previous assaults on the Murle.

The attacks have displaced tens of thousands of people and killed hundreds, though the UN and the South Sudan government could not give exact figures.

South Sudan's government and the United Nations have deployed thousands of troops to the volatile Jonglei State where the attacks are taking place, and officials are holding talks with local leaders in an effort to calm the violence.

The government also said it will start a disarmament campaign soon, to help reduce the number of weapons in the country.

Much of the violence is said to be related to cattle raids.

South Sudan, which became the world's newest nation in 2011, is struggling to contain several ongoing conflicts on its territory. Adding to the tensions, it also has not fully resolved its issues with northern Sudan, from which it broke away after decades of civil war. - Sapa-dpa