The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday condemned the deployment of South Sudanese troops in the disputed region of Abyei, which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, reported The Relief Web.
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) warned that the deployment of troops in the southern part of Abyei will further exacerbate the conflict in the area and result in untold suffering and humanitarian concerns for civilians living in the area.
South Sudanese authorities are yet to comment on the issue. The ruling military in Sudan has also not given any statement in the matter.
The UN peacekeeping mission in the contested region said that the deployment of South Sudanese followed renewed fighting within and around Abyei. The mission urged both parties to stop fighting and allow the political process to resolve the lingering crisis.
“UNISFA is against any form of unauthorized deployment” in Abyei, the mission said.
The UN mission’s statement did not elaborate on the fighting. However, according to the local media, the latest clashes between Nuer and Dinka Ngok tribes in the region grew out of cattle rustling late last month. As per the Sudan Tribune news website, citing local authorities, at least 18 people were killed and nine were wounded.
The UN mission, UNISFA, said it has reinforced peacekeepers in the area and is closely monitoring the situation.
The dispute between Sudan and South Sudan over oil-rich Abyei started when South Sudan gained independence from Sudan following a 2005 peace deal, after decades of civil war between Sudan’s northern and southern regions.
The deal called for both factions to settle the final status of Abyei through negotiation talks, but the issue still remains unresolved. The UN deployed peacekeepers to the disputed region in 2011, the same year when South Sudan became an independent country.
