The Abyie conflict’s renewed civil war alarms

March 2, 2008 — The Sudan Human Rights Organization Cairo reports with grave concern the regrettable killings of tens of civilians and armed persons yesterday in armed confrontations between Messariya and SPLA elements in Tabreeb, south Bahr al-Arab area along the North-South border of 1956.

200 citizens, mostly members of the SPLA were killed, in addition to several persons wounded, according to available information. Although each party accused the other of starting the attack, it appeared that the violence erupted when Messariya crossed the river southward without surrendering arms to the SPLA.

The Organization fears more violence might escalate within the ongoing tensions, which sent serious alarms of a larger confrontation that might abort the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by civil war. Heavy armament, as well as light weapons, had already been spread over the area of which the last reported confrontations witnessed the use of heavy arms.

Abyie remained a theater of violent events in the last few months. Last December, heavy fights took place between Dinka Abyie and Messeriya causing grave casualties, lost lives and wounded citizens. The occurrence of violence in the region created sharp shortages in the humanitarian relief, medical aid, and food supplies.

SHRO-Cairo condemns, on the other side, the Government of Sudan denial of permit to Dr. Sima Samar, the UN Special Envoy to Sudan, to visit the Kajbar area in the Northern State in the course of her scheduled visits to Port-Sudan, Kajbar, and Darfur. The refusal of the visit “for security reasons” is an attempt to obstruct the mission of the UN official.