Gunmen attacked a commercial convoy in the contested area of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan late last week killing 13 Sudanese traders and wounding three others, according to a Misseriya leader.
Most of the traders were Misseriya Arabs while otehrs came from other Sudanese tribes including Hawazma and Fur.
Misseriya tribal leader Ambadi Kabashi told Radio Tamazuj from West Kordofan that the attack took place at Daba Um Sajam area in the north of Abyei area. He said that a wounded survivor claimed that the perpetrators were dressed in SPLA uniform.
“One of the wounded people said the attack was carried out by men wearing SPLA army uniform,” he said. He explained that the attackers were seen coming from the direction of Marial Achak area.
The Misseriya leader blamed the UN Mission in Abyei for failing to pursue the perpetrators, while calling on the UN Security Council and the African Union to protect civilians in the contested area.
“When the incident occurred at 6:00 pm, the UNISFA moved late because it doesn’t move at night, the UNISFA moved on the following day,” he said.
For his part, Sultan Nyol Fagot Deng said that the Dinka Ngok tribe were not responsible for this attack, saying that the Dinka Ngok do not have any army. He also pointed out that the place where the attack on the Sudanese traders were attacked is far from their area.
The chief said that the attack could have been carried out by Sudanese government militia.