Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The army spokesperson on Thursday said there is no need to deploy additional troops to the troubled Abyei areas since there are “enough boots” on the ground.
In November last year, the government deployed a battalion from the necessary unified forces outside the box of the Abyei Administrative Area to stabilize the security situation.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang made the remarks in response to the call of the Area’s spokesperson, for the national government to dispatch SSPDF forces to the area.
Ajak Deng said 13 people were killed in an attack by armed men in the Administrative Area on Monday.
A child and three women were among the deceased.
Deng also called on the SSPDF to establish a buffer zone between Abyei and Warrap.
Reacting to the matter, the SSPDF spokesperson said it is the responsibility of the battalion on the ground to protect the civil population in Abyei.
“That should not warrant a call for the deployment of the new force. The force that we have deployed there is enough,” said Gen. Lul.
“If there are loopholes in terms of the initial deployment then it’s upon the commanding officer on the ground to redeploy force where there is a new threat,
“We have deployed a battalion force that we have drowned from the necessary unified forces and that is a very natural force.”
Since last year, dozens of civilians have been killed and others went missing in Rumamer Payam in Abyei, following several attacks.
The United States advised the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei’s mandate to authorize peacekeepers to use all necessary means, which includes the use of force when required, to protect civilians under threat of physical violence.
UNISFA has the mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, protect the area from incursions by unauthorized elements, and ensure security.
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