Aid worker killed in Abyei, MSF suspends operations as staff flee
The Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has disclosed the killing of one of its staff in Agok following the inter-communal conflict over the contested Agok/Aneet town.
The aid worker identified as David Deng Aleu, who worked as a nurse at the MSF hospital in Agok was reportedly killed in his home on Thursday, last week.
The MSF Head of Mission in South Sudan, Gouranga Manna condemned the attack adding that they had temporarily suspended operations in the area.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and express our heartfelt condolences to David’s family and friends. We strongly condemn this act of violence which has led to the tragic loss of lives in the community,” Manna said.
The MSF Chief said they suspended operations temporarily because their staff ran to neighbouring towns for safety when fighting broke out adding that they had transferred 24 patients who were on treatment to Abyei hospital.
Manna concluded that they were still committed to providing essential medical services to residents of Agok.
“MSF’s principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality means that we provide medical care to any person in urgent need, regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliations or any other factor,” Manna said.
The MSF head of mission appealed for respect to humanitarian workers in the country.
“We call for respect and safety of our medical teams so that we can continue to provide these lifesaving services,” Manna concluded.
Fighting broke out in Agok/Aneet from February 10, 11, and 12, 2022 claiming the lives of 7 people, 10 wounded and a number of civilians displaced and in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
On Sunday, the governor of Warrap state condemned the attack and warned those fuelling the conflict to desist from the act. The fighting between the Ngok community of Abyei Administrative Area and the Twic community of Warrap state was in a contest of the town of Agok/Aneet located at the border of Sudan-South Sudan, by either community.
