UNICEF denies withdrawal of its staff from Abyei

March 2, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) dismissed press reports saying it had withdrawn its staff from the disputed Abyei area.

Clashes erupted between Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) and the nomadic Misseriya tribe, since November 2007. Yesterday fight erupted when the Misseriya militia attacked a southern army garrison who had refused to allow the armed nomads into southern Sudan.

“Today, a number of inaccurate reports appeared in Sudanese media, indicating that UNICEF had withdrawn its staff from the Abyei area;” said the UN body in a press statement denying the closure of its office in the troubled area.

“UNICEF wishes to clarify that none of its staff have been withdrawn from Abyei.”

At least 69 nomads and nine soldiers were killed in the latest fighting in the volatile area on March 1, said Major General Hoth Mai.

The fighting also left nearly 120 people wounded, including 97 nomads and 21 soldiers, the ex-rebel deputy chief of staff said.

UNICEF has three staff members based in Abyei, one of whom is currently undertaking official business in Kadugli and will return to Abyei shortly.

The UNICEF staff in Abyei operation works to serve women and children in the area.

The Sudan Media Center, which is close to the intelligence services in Khartoum, quoted a Misseriya tribal chief as saying that more than 25 tribesmen were killed in fierce clashes after attacking an SPLA camp Saturday.

Misseriya chief Mukhtar Babu Nemir said the assault followed an SPLA attack against a Misseriya village in which one person was killed, SMC said.

(ST)