By Ngor Deng Matem
Two Embassies of the United States of America in Juba and Khartoum have raised concern over the recent escalation of violence in Abyei and Aneet/Agok areas.
The US Administration called on the conflicting communities to cease reprisals and return to dialogue. US also called on the Sudan and South Sudan governments to lend their political support to UNISFA to deescalate such attacks.
“The United States notes with great concern the recent escalation of violence in Abyei and Agok. We offer our condolences to the families of those killed in the violence,” partly read the statement.
“The United States supports expanded patrols in Abyei by the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and recalls that UNISFA’s mandate authorizes peacekeepers to use all necessary means, which includes the use of force when required, in order to protect civilians under threat of physical violence. We call on all sides to cease reprisals and return to dialogue. We call on the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to lend their political support to UNISFA to deescalate such attacks” it added.
In February 2022, Twic and Abyei armed youth started fighting over the land ownership of Aneet.
This week 27 people have been killed and four others injured in the latest clashes in the Abyei Administrative Area, according to authorities there.
The attacks, which officials blamed on Misseriya militiamen, erupted in Mading-Thon and Kol-Bol on Sunday evening.
“A large number of Misseriya militiamen and SAF launched an attack from two directions: Mading-Thon and Kol-Bol, with the intention to enter Abyei Town,” said Spokesperson Ajak Deng Mayen in a statement issued Monday.
However, during the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the Abyei authorities stated that the Sudan government had been using the armed community to destabilize Abyei in order to flush out Ngok community from the disputed area.
UNISFA is tasked with monitoring the flashpoint border between north and south and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and is authorized to use force in protecting civilians and humanitarian workers in Abyei.