Inter-ethnic fighting feared in southern Sudan’s Abyei
Oct 10, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — The General Union of the Masiyriyah Tribe (GUMT) has warned against the outbreak of war between the Masiyriyah and Dinka Nuk tribe in the oil-rich Abyei region.
The GUMT secretary-general, Ahmad Mussaid, said the situation in the area was dangerous as a result of the huge assemblage of elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) on the Bahr al-Arab banks.
According to Al-Watan newspaper, Mussaid estimated there were 5,000 fully armed and equipped soldiers here.
He further described claims circulated by the Dinka Nuk regarding the intention of the Masiriyah to attack Dinka borders as untrue.
He said three petitions with these claims were presented by the Dinka to the UN secretary-general’s representative.
Musasid further said a visit to inspect the situation in the area would be made shortly by the GUMT leadership and leaders of the executive office of the Just and Peace forum.
(ST)