The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Gwi-Yeop Son, has denounced the recent attack in Abyei that left 32 people dead, 25 others injured, three children missing and 19 houses burned.
“I condemn this attack and call upon all parties and stakeholders to refrain from any acts that can result in the loss of lives, increase tensions and chances of violence,” Ms. Son said.
According to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), armed men attacked the village of Kolom, about 9km northwest of the Abyei town, in the early hours of 22 January.
The humanitarian organizations on the ground are providing healthcare assistance, including emergency surgical operations, to the affected people.
The head of South Sudan administered Abyei , Jook, accused the Sudanese army and militia from the Misseriya tribe, supported by the Popular Defense Forces, of carrying out the attack on the village.
“The attack led to the killing of 32 people, wounded 24 others, 15 children missing , and 22 houses torched,” He added.
In 2020, the Humanitarian Response Plan partners aim to provide 200,000 people in the Abyei area with humanitarian assistance.
For his part, the official spokesman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Mohamed Al-Faki Suleiman, blamed the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) for the deterioration of security conditions in the area .
“The Transitional Council has accepted the resignation of the Abyei Administration Chief , Ahmed Saleh Salouha, while consultation with all parties is ongoing to appoint a new leadership so that it can monitor the situation on the ground” said Al Faki.