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Thirteen civilians killed in Abyei fresh attack

By Mary Poni

The minister of information for Abyei Administrative Area Ajak Miyan confirmed that at least 13 civilians were killed and 4 others wounded in the recent ongoing attack in Abyei.

Minister Ajak said that the attack took place on January 2nd 2023 in Rumamer village by one of the groups attacking an isolated area in the Eastern part of Abyei.

“13 civilians have been killed and 4 others are wounded including children, women and elderly people,” he said.

He said VP Hussein Abdellbagi has been a mediator to calm the fight in the region – almost succeeding in bringing peace, but the armed groups kept on attacking the areas in the villages.

“We are waiting for further reaction from the government. We had earlier on requested boosting of security in the area to quell the attacks,” Miyan noted in an interview with the No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper yesterday. 

Meanwhile the Executive director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani condemned the deadly and inhuman incident that happened in the region.

He alleged that the attack is wedged by about 200 well-armed herders from Twic as confirmed by UNISFA in Abyei.

“This incident is the first of its kind in the beginning of the year 2023. And this follows the declaration made by President Kiir that this year should be a year of forgiveness, reconciliation and development,” Yakani lamented.

He noted the cattle herders have demonstrated clearly that they (herders) undermine the call made by the President, the constitutional obligation of the government, including on matters of safety and security of individuals and communities.

“This is a very serious challenge to the leadership of H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his government,” said Activist Yakani.

Edmund said the trend of the armed cattle herders carrying out deadly and inhuman destruction across the country is becoming a new trend that undermines the responsibility of the government in providing protection to the civilians and imposing the rule of law across the country.

“We have seen the incident that happened in Rumamer, Mangala, Gumuruk, Upper Nile and some incidents in Tonj. All these shows clearly that the armed cattle herders are telling the government that they are powerful and they don’t listen to the government,” he stated.

“There is a need to hold perpetrators of deadly and inhuman violence across the country accountable. Orders alone are not enough. Making political statements without holding indiscipline people for fueling violence and carrying out attacks never solve issues,” Yakani maintained.

“UNISFA troops are currently patrolling the area to locate the remaining attackers and prevent any further attacks. They are also protecting the Rumamer village and facilitating the return of local civilians who fled their homes. The troops have been put on high alert in the general area where the incident occurred,” the statement read in part.

UNISFA’s OIC, Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Brigadier General Abu Syed Mohamoud Bakir, has strongly condemned the attack – saying it can only contribute to the tension and chances of renewed violence in the area.

UNISFA said an investigation has been launched to uncover the circumstances that led to the attack, and that troops presence has been enhanced in the Rumamer village and area domination patrols are being conducted in neighboring areas to block and seize potential armed groups.

General Abu Syed Mohammod Bakir calls on all stakeholders to support UNISFA’s peace initiative as a means of easing tension in the area, assuring that UNISFA is fully committed to the safety and security of the people in the Abyei area and will continue to prioritize the protection of civilians, in line with its mandate.

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