UNISFA refutes allegations of “killed” staff member

October 19, 2022 (ABYEI) – The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has condemned in “very strong” terms allegations that one of its Twic Dinka staff was “killed alongside his family inside its compound by the Ngok armed youth after they forcefully entered the compound to execute the non-Ngok inhabitants”.

This allegation, it said, is deliberate and intended to escalate the crisis of confidence between the Twic and Ngok Dinka communities in Abyei area and beyond.

“It [allegation] comes at a time when UNISFA and other stakeholders are working together to deescalate tensions and re-establish peaceful coexistence between the two Dinka communities,” partly reads UNISFA’s statement.

It said all its staff members of Twic Dinka origin are safe and performing their official duties normally, while advising the public to disregard the fake information and collaborate with peace-seeking people to ensure the situation returned to normalcy.

The peacekeeping body, however, said it would continue to engage all stakeholders for peaceful coexistence of Twic and Ngok Dinka within the disputed area.

(ST)