By Hou Akot Hou
At least six people have been killed and dozens others wounded in a series of renewed violence in disputed Abyei Administrative Area.
The latest incident occurred on Sunday, April 6th, targeting the areas of Majak-Maan-Nyuar, Dongop, and Lou. This followed an earlier attack on April 4th, where four charcoal makers were killed.
Yuana Akol Ngor, Minister of Information for the Abyei Administrative Area, confirmed the Sunday attacks, stating that the attackers originated from multiple points surrounding the affected areas.
“The attack occurred first on April 4 in which four people who were charcoal makers were killed. Others were wounded. Today on Sunday, April 6, attacked at locations such as Majak-Maan-Nyuar, Dongop and Lou areas.
Today it was a bad onslaught and dozens of people were killed. As I am speaking to you I am still outside in the village where I am getting reports. So they are still sketchy,” the minister for information, stated.
Ngor attributed the attacks to forces loyal to Gai Machiek, allegedly allied with youth from Twic County in Warrap State.
“These forces are from Gai-Machiek forces and they are allied with forces from Twic County in Warrap state,” he asserted.
Twi County authorities are yet to respond.
The minister added that the motive behind the attacks remains unclear and that the Sunday attack began at approximately 10:00 AM local time.
He described the situation as “sketchy and fluid,” with authorities still gathering information.
Ngor called upon the authorities in Twic County to cease their alleged support for Gai Machiek’s forces, emphasizing the destructive nature of their actions.
Local observers suggest that the recurrent violence stems from deep-seated intercommunal tensions, fueled by cycles of revenge and hatred between the communities of Twic, Unity, and Abyei.