Africa-Press – South-Sudan. By James Atem Kuir
The number of people killed during the two days of the raid on Abyei Administrative Area(AAA) by Sudanese Misseriya militia has risen to 33 while more than 50,000 others have been displaced from their homes as a result of the violence.
Abyei Administrative Area Spokesperson, Ajak Deng Miyan said relative calm has returned to the restive region althoughthe general security situation has remained volatile following the attack over the weekend.
“We lost, on Saturday, six people who were making charcoal in the forest, and on Sudan they (Misseriya) came and launched a heavy attack and the casualties were 27 people killed and four wounded. So, the total of a number of people killed in the two days of attacks is 33 and four injured,” Mr Miyan in an interview yesterday.
“The situation is a bit tense but relatively calm today(Tuesday) compared to the last two days…people are just ready in case of another attack and we have informed UNISFA,” the official said.
“There have been attacks from different sides; one by Twic County community and the Misseriya. People were displaced to Abyei town from Agok when fighting erupted there last month and the recent attacks by Misseriya have also displaced many more people. The NGOs have reported 50,000 people to have been displaced to Abyei town as a result of the fighting,” the spokesman added.
Abyei, a disputed administrative area bordering Sudan and South Sudan, has suffered two deadly raids by the Sudanese Misseriya tribesmen since the beginning of this year, despite the presence of the United Nation civilian protection force known as the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNIFFA).
In January, at least five people were killed when the Misseriya nomads attacked Miodol village, 29 kilometers west of Abyei town, the largest city and headquarters of the region according to a report by UNISFA.
the oil rich region was put under the protection of UNISFA established by the United Nations Security Council in 2011 following an outbreak of violence after Sudanese troops took control of the area.
The Arab Misseriya tribesmen have since been wreaking havoc in the disputed Abyeias efforts to resolve and decide the final status of the disputed area never materialized as the two countries fail to agree.
MrMiyan insisted that attacks on Saturday and Sunday were coordinated and well planned saying among the attackers, men wearing the uniform of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were found dead after the fighting.
“The Misseriya came together with members of the Sudanese armed Forces (SAF) because we discovered that one of the attackers who was killed was wearing the uniform of the Sudanese army. They usually (Misseriya tribesmen and Sudan Armed Forces) come together, it was actually an organized and coordinated attack by Misseriya and allied forces,” Miyan said.
Efforts to reach Sudanese authorities were not successful.
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