UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. peacekeepers in the disputed region of Abyei along the border of Sudan and South Sudan apprehended someone claiming to be a Sudanese intelligence officer after a deadly attack last month, the U.N. chief said in a new report.
The ownership of Abyei, which has rich pastureland and small oil reserves, was left undecided when South Sudan declared independence from Sudan in 2011. It remains one of the biggest potential flashpoints between the two countries, who have also argued over oil rights and other disputed territories.On March 2, U.N. peacekeepers in the Abyei region, known as UNISFA, responded to an attack on the village of Marial Achak by 100 armed individuals from the Misseriya community, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his latest report to the Security Council on Abyei.Three people were killed in the attack, four children abducted and 24 houses destroyed, Ban said."UNISFA responded swiftly to the incident and was able to intercept the armed men fleeing north from Marial Achak," his report said.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," Ban's 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 U.N. 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 community, who occupy much of the Abyei region, on Al-Shagag village on Feb. 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 appealed to both Sudan and South Sudan to ensure that armed forces allied to them remain outside the Abyei area.He added that the abduction of children was "particularly deplorable and unacceptable."South Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war since December 2013. (Reporting by Louis Charbonneau; Editing by Michael Perry[1])
References
- ^ Michael Perry (blogs.reuters.com)
Newer articles:
- South Sudan Expats Feel Exchange Rate Pinch - 08/05/2015 11:58
- South Sudan: UN confirms new influx of displaced persons seeking refuge at Mission base - 07/05/2015 13:40
- John Kerry to South Sudan Leaders: Come to Your Senses, Stop Fighting - 06/05/2015 08:50
- South Sudan faulted on preventing aid workers leave base - 06/05/2015 03:31
- South Sudan Traders’ Union Chairperson Promises To Tackle Skyrocketing Prices Dilemma - 06/05/2015 03:29
Older news items
- South Sudan: United States Provides Support for Justice and Accountability - 05/05/2015 21:54
- South Sudan's 'Facebook' for missing people - 05/05/2015 17:24
- South Sudan 'frees' opposition politician - 05/05/2015 09:35
- South Sudan leaders putting country's future at 'grave risk', warns John Kerry - 05/05/2015 08:09
- South Sudan: Proposed Hybrid Court Not in the Interest of Peace - 05/05/2015 01:33
Latest news items (all categories):
- South Sudan can leverage China’s AI path to bridge the digital divide - 16/09/2026 16:04
- Credible Elections Are No Longer Possible in South Sudan - What Next? - 16/09/2026 15:59
- South Sudan's president replaces electoral chief three months before scheduled polls - 16/09/2026 15:56
- Turkish Airlines is pulling out of 5 African routes, including South Sudan - 16/09/2026 15:23
- ‘Super El Niño’ deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan – WFP - 16/09/2026 15:19
Random articles (all categories):
- From Commanders of Liberation to Commanders of Corruption - 19/06/2012 15:50
- South Sudan investigates the suspected viral haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Yirol East, Eastern Lakes State - 10/01/2018 15:26
- خلال 3 سنوات.. 800 مليون دولار حجم المساعدات الإماراتية للسودان - 19/08/2026 12:51
- Five things to know about South Sudan’s fragile peace deal - 16/09/2025 18:23
- Nuer people have a sacred connection to birds – it can guide conservation in Ethiopia and South Sudan - 16/10/2024 21:24
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 149609 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28116 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25198 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24466 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22416 times
