Reports of more than 60 deaths in Abyei
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May 26, 2011 (KHARTOUM) - At least 68 people have identified dead in
Abyei since it was captured by the northern army on 21 May 2011
according to an official from Dinka Ngok.
JPEG - 44.6 kb
A UNMIS peacekeeper standing guard along the road between Abyei and
Agok town on 24 May. (Photo UNMIS/ Stuart Price)
Sources, including a Sudan Tribune reporter present during the attack
and who was there until 24 May says the town continues to burn as
armed militia groups suspected of being allied to the Sudan Armed
Forces embark upon open looting.
Majith Yak a former minister of local government in the Abyei
administration and a one of the current National Congress Party
designated officials from the Nine Dinka Ngok to the post of deputy
chief administrator said in an interview with Sudan Tribune in
Khartoum on Thursday that he has reports that 68 people have been
identified dead and several others are wounded. He blamed individuals
from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for the first attack on
Sudan Armed Forces soldiers which he said provoked retaliation.
"It is unfortunate that some lives have been lost as a result of the
attack which was instigated by irresponsible individuals”, said Yak.
Yak lamented the lack of pre-emptive action in the face of "clear
indications of tension in the area” as “these people never wanted to
involve anybody in whatever proposals and decision concerning Abyei.”
“They never wanted to hear any other proposal on how to address the
issue of Abyei apart from their own thoughts and suggestions. They
always work in isolation of other people and feel that their thoughts
and decisions are the best," explained Yak
Yak said he did not blame SAF for taking control of the area, claiming
the military intervention was necessitated by attack in which 22 SAF
soldiers were killed while they were withdrawing from the area.
"How would you blame other people including the Sudan Armed Forces for
your own failure? Why did they allow forces under their control to
attack forces they agreed to withdraw from the area? Why attacked
forces who have accepted to withdraw as part of the peace agreement
they signed in Kadugli", asked Yak
A member of a UN team who was in Abyei, Agok and Turalei on 23-24 May,
but wished to retain their anonimity said,"we held a meeting with
senior military officers of the Sudan Armed Forces including
commanding officer, Brigadier General, Azeed osman Tagadin.We also
travelled to Agok and Turlei to meet representatives from local
administration who are with fleeing internally displaced persons," he
said.
He said the humanitarian team was headed by George Charpentier, Deputy
Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN, General
Moses Obi, Force commander of the UN troops in Sudan and Director of
Civil Affairs of the UN Mission in Sudan
(ST)
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