Seven people killed in fresh Abyei attacks

Seven people, among them three children, have reportedly been killed in a fresh attack in two villages in the Abyei Special Administrative Area.

The attacks took place on Saturday morning in Mading Acueng and Agany-Acueng villages, which are located north of River Kiir, the Executive Committee of the Abyei Community Organization in Juba said.

In a press release dated Saturday, June 25, 2022, of which The City Review has obtained a copy, the committee blamed the attack on armed youth from the neighbouring Twic County, Warrap State.

“The attackers also burned down a number of huts and looted property, and many villagers were displaced from their homes,” the press release read in part.

They lamented that the renewed attacks could jeopardise the hope of finding a sense of lasting peace and the prospects of reconciliation and peaceful settlement of the conflict between the two neighbouring communities.  

“We call upon the government and the High-Level Committee to prevail over the leadership of the Twic Community to opt for a peaceful means to resolve this conflict and stop the senseless loss of lives,” they added.

In February, 10 people, among them an aid worker, were killed in attacks in Agok, Abyei Special Administrative Area, by suspected armed assailants from the nearby communities. They torched houses and shops, forcing several residents to flee to other parts of Abyei.

At least four government officials, including Abyei Special Administrative Area (ASAA) Minister of Infrastructure, Mayot Kunit Miyen; Twic County Commissioner (Warrap State), Deng Tong Goch; and two commissioners from ASAA, Chol Pur Chol of Rumamer County, and Akuei Akoon Wel of Alal County, were detained in Juba in connection with the deadly clashes between Twic and Ngok communities.