South Sudan condemns deadly clashes in Abyei
March 4, 2015 (JUBA) – The spokesperson for South Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs, Mawien Makol, said the government is concerned over reports that innocent civilians were killed during an attack in the disputed areas of Abyei.
The assailants further burnt down 24 house during their attack Marialachak, a village located in the southern part of Abyei.
Makol said it was not the first time an incident of this nature had occurred involving the Misseriya, nomadic Arab herders who enter the contested oil-producing region periodically.
“The Misseriya, who should be coming to access pastures and water in the area, have instead been coming with the intention to raid cattle and kill people,” he said.
They take advantage of the presence of the Sudanese army in kej (difra), which is unacceptable. And as the government, we condemn it in the strongest possible [terms],” Makol said in an interview on Wednesday.
Co-chair of the Abyei Joint Committee (AJOC) Deng Mading Mijak has confirmed that the dead included a 73-year-old man identified as Mayiik Dau.
John Ajang Kiir, assistant secretary-general in the government-supported local administration, described Dau’s death as a “great loss” to the Achak chiefdom and wider Ngok Dinka community.
“We call on the international community, especially the government of the United States, the United Nations to come out and hold the government of Sudan responsible for this atrocious, inhumane and barbaric act,” a visibly agitated Mijak told reporters on Tuesday in Juba.
Two children, aged six and seven, were injured during the incident, which occurred around 6.30am (local time).
At least 27 grass thatched local houses and four other structures were also burnt down.
It has been alleged that the Popular Defence Forces, supported by SAF, were behind the attack.
Makol has called on the United Nations interim force for Abyei (UNISFA) to live up to its mandate, stressing that it has a responsibility to protect the lives and properties of the unarmed civil population in the region.
“The United Nations in Abyei has [a] mandate to provide protection to the civil population and their lives. They should take their jobs more seriously,” he said.
(ST)