Abyei road ambush leaves 2 dead, 1 wounded

Local authorities in the Abyei Administrative Area say two civilians were shot dead and another injured after Messiriya tribesmen ambushed a commuter vehicle which was traveling from Amiet market in Amethaguok County to Abyei town last Friday.

Local authorities in the Abyei Administrative Area say two civilians were shot dead and another injured after Messiriya tribesmen ambushed a commuter vehicle which was traveling from Amiet market in Amethaguok County to Abyei town last Friday.

Abyei’s information minister and spokesman, Ajak Deng Mawein, on Sunday confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that the ambush was laid by Messiriya tribesmen.

“There was a commercial car carrying citizens from Amiet Market to Abyei and when it arrived in the middle, it fell in the ambush coordinated by the Messiriya militias,” Minister Deng said. “Fighting happened and they (militias) killed two people and one was injured.”

A local resident who only introduced himself as Lual identified the two killed as Paul Akol, 35, and Mawein, 28.

“Yes, the car was ambushed and two people were shot dead. One was called Paul Akol and the other Mawein,” he said.

The Ngok Dinka overall paramount chief, Bulabek Deng Kuol, condemned the killings and said the Al-Hajiera section of the Messiriya is responsible for all the attacks against the Ngok Dinka.   

“All onslaughts are happening from the Messiriya side as a whole, but we hold the Al-Hajiera section responsible for all the problems because they are the ones who share common borders with us,” Chief Deng said.