The head of the South Sudan-sponsored Abyei Area Administration says that 4 people were killed when Lou village came under attack on Sunday evening, forcing many civilians to flee into the bush for refuge.
General Mario Kuol Monyluak says the incident occurred in Lou, located east of Abyei town on Sunday at around 6:00 p.m. local time.
The attackers have not been identified. However, the general blamed members of the Misseriya Arab tribe. Another official, assistant secretary-general John Ajang Kiir, said the attackers came from the Diffra area, which lies in the north of Abyei.
Separately, Sultan Majok Deng said the attackers were unknown and identified them only as ‘thieves’ who steal cows. He said that villagers were gathered at a traditional memorial event when the gunmen approached. They began running and then the gunmen ran after them and started shooting.
He said most of the village is displaced.
John Ajang called on the UN peacekeepers to protect the citizens and pointed out that Abyei is supposed to be a demilitarized zone.
General Mario Kuol lamented the continuing insecurity in the area and lack of a political solution: “Every day comes with a challenge for our people in Abyei. Waking up in the morning and thinking should I be hopeful, would it be a day when they will find the world has woken up with courage and one strong voice and say this issue of Abyei must be resolved now?”
“Unfortunately it remains a day when people wake up to hear and say something bad has happened to people of Abyei like the cowardice and belligerent act meted out on our people yesterday.”