April 20, 2022 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has appealed to the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to intensify its operations and prevent the recurring attacks in the contested oil-producing region.
In an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, South Sudan’s Minister for East African Affairs, Deng Alor Kuol said Sudan government was informed about the situation Abyei as efforts continue to ensure there is stability and peaceful co-existence of people living in the disputed region.
“Recent developments in Abyei and indeed in other border areas are regrettable. There has been a spike in attacks on areas in South Sudan from the Sudanese side in areas of Northern Bahr El Ghazal, especially in Abyei. These attacks have resulted into loss of lives and destruction of properties. Markets were burnt down, people killed and villages destroyed,” said Kuol.
He added, “These violent activities have forced people who were preparing to clear their farmlands to leave because of repeated attacks”,
The minister said he briefed South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir as well as the Sudanese embassy in Juba about the latest attacks in the disputed region.
He further disclosed that authorities in the region spoke to the leadership and command of the UN mission for Abyei to pacify the contested area.
“UNISFA and its leadership and command have been able to minimize some of the violence against everyday civilians, but there is a feeling from the residents that they are slow to react when there have been massacres and attacks on particular communities like in recent attacks which occurred in the area,” he stressed.
The minister said he is optimistic the Sudanese leadership and UNISFA will carry out an investigation into last week’s attack in which 14 people died.
The attack was carried out by unidentified armed nomads and forces.
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly clashes in Abyei Special Administrative Area in recent months. Despite the presence of foreign troops on the ground, the political situation in northern Abyei, where armed nomads are active, remains dire.
UNISFA is a UN peacekeeping force in Abyei, a contested between Sudan and South Sudan. It’s primary objective is to monitor the border between the two Sudans and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The mission is also authorised to use force in protecting civilians and humanitarian workers in the oil-producing region.
