Traders and residents in Ameth Aguok County in the contested area of Abyei are assessing extensive damage after a series of fires tore through the Amiet market over the weekend, officials said Monday.
Osman Chol, chairperson of the Abyei Chamber of Commerce, told Radio Tamazuj that the fires destroyed a wide range of goods, inflicting heavy losses on local businesses. The cause of the blazes remains unclear, and no arrests have been made, he said.
“The fire broke out Friday night—the seventh such incident to occur after dark. It is difficult to identify those responsible or estimate the full extent of the damage,” Chol said.
The fires affected businesses owned by both locals and foreign traders from Ethiopia and Eritrea, he added.
Chol urged market vendors to adhere to a new survey plan aimed at preventing future disasters. “Concrete shops are the solution to these repeated fire outbreaks,” he said.
While an exact financial toll was not available, Chol reported that roughly 150,000 sacks of sorghum, 200,000 sacks of sugar, 300,000 sacks of flour and over 150,000 jerricans of cooking oil were destroyed, along with large sums of cash in various currencies.
The flames also damaged nearby homes, and Chol called on county authorities to improve road access in the market area. He noted that the lack of a reliable communication network in Amiet hampers emergency response efforts.
Athiak Kuol, a local tea vendor, said her stall and all its contents—including cups, plates and kettles—were reduced to ashes.
No injuries were reported in the fires.