UNISFA condemns the early morning attack on two Ngok Dinka villages

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8 Nov 2019

UNISFA condemns the early morning attack on two Ngok Dinka villages

An unknown armed group launched an early morning attack on the Ngok Dinka village of Miodol, 29 kilometres north-east of Abyei town, killing seven persons, (four males and three females all Ngok Dinkas) on 7 November 2019. Two male Dinkas were wounded in the attack while two others were abducted by the gunmen.

A similar attack was also carried out in Dungop, another Ngok Dinka village, 12 kilometres north-east of Abyei town resulting in the death of two persons (one male and one female) while two others were injured. The motive for both attacks is not known

UNISFA troops have been deployed at Miodol, Hadid and Shegeg general area, supported by aerial patrol, in an attempt to track down the armed group that carried out the attack. The troops have been put on high alert in the general area where the incident occurred

UNISFA’s acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Mehari Zewde Gebremariam, has strongly condemned the attack, saying it can only contribute to the tension and chances of renewed violence in the area. General Mehari called on all stakeholders to embrace UNISFA’s peace initiative as a means of easing tension in the area, assuring that UNISFA is fully committed to pursuing its mandate to ensure that Abyei is free of arms and armed groups, and completely deplores any act that will further escalate tension in the area.

UNISFA also reiterates that any presence of armed groups within the Abyei box other than its own troops is viewed by the mission as a violation of its mandate and will not hesitate to place responsibility on those engaged in such violations.