UNISFA arrested Sudanese intelligence officer following a deadly attack near Abyei: UN chief

May 5, 2015 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki Moon said the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has apprehended someone claiming to be a Sudanese intelligence officer after a deadly attack last month.

Ban said in his latest report to the UN Security Council that peacekeepers in Abyei responded on March 2 to an attack on the village of Marial Achak by 100 armed individuals from the Misseriya tribe, pointing that three people were killed in the attack, four children abducted and 24 houses destroyed.

“UNISFA responded swiftly to the incident and was able to intercept the armed men fleeing north from Marial Achak,” his report said.

According to Reuters, the report pointed that after an exchange of fire, UNISFA troops captured eight of the armed assailants, who had five AK-47 rifles, over 400 rounds of ammunition, three motorcycles, and a Motorola radio set.

“Among the eight detainees were one logistics officer from a local militia group, Tora Bora, and one individual who identified himself as a Sudan Armed Forces intelligence officer,” the report said.

The report noted that Khartoum denied that a Sudanese officer took part in the attack, which it blamed on a rebel group.

Sudan’s deputy UN ambassador Hassan Hamid Hassan told Reuters the allegation was “totally not true.”

If confirmed, the presence of a Sudanese officer with local militia could suggest that Khartoum may be helping armed elements around Abyei coordinate attacks.

Ban said Khartoum also alleged that the Misseriya militia was retaliating after an attack by elements of the Dinka Ngok , who occupy much of the Abyei region, on Al-Shagag village on February 26.

It said those militants were based in Marial Achak and supported by the South Sudanese army.

UNISFA could not confirm the Al-Shagag attack, the report said.

Ban called upon both Sudan and South Sudan to ensure that armed forces allied to them remain outside the Abyei area, adding that the abduction of children was “particularly deplorable and unacceptable.”

Resolving the final status of Abyei still remains a major issue between Sudan and South Sudan after the latter broke away from the former in July 2011, leaving several unresolved post-secession issues.

In 2012, the African Union mediation team proposed holding a referendum in Abyei , but stated that only those residing permanently in the area will be allowed to vote in the plebiscite and decide whether they want to join Sudan or South Sudan.

The Sudanese government, however, rejected the AU proposal aimed at breaking the deadlock over Abyei referendum saying it ignored the eligibility of the Misseriya.
In October 2013, the Ngok Dinka held a unilateral referendum in Abyei but the Sudanese government rejected its results calling it an “outcast”.

(ST)