Kiir, Machar holds joint talks after renewed Abyei clashes

February 5, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Riek Machar on Monday held a joint meeting over the security and humanitarian situation in Abyei after renewed clashes forced civilians into United Nation camps.

Several security and defence figures attended the meeting at the presidency.

The leaders, the state owned television reported on Monday, focused their discussions on land-related conflict between the Ngok and Twic communities.

The Presidential Affairs minister Joseph Bakosoro said the meeting further discussed the upcoming elections, particularly funding of the electoral institutions and phase II of the security arrangements in accordance with the peace deal.

The UN mission Abyei (UNISFA) on Monday issued a statement confirming clashes occurred in areas located south of Abyei town, resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of properties and subsequently forced people to flee their homes for safety places.

According to the statement from the peacekeeping mission, the attack came from the direction of Twic county in Warrap and Unity states of South Sudan.

The motives of the attack remain unclear, but clashes have over the past two years been taking place between the two sides over territorial claim ownership.

(ST)