A four-year-old girl and an Ethiopian peacekeeper were killed and three others injured during shelling and small arms fire heard yesterday on Abyei town in the disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan.

In a press statement, the UN security mission in Abyei (UNISFA) said seven shells were fired from the northwest of the town by unknown persons. Five of the shells landed near the residence of the Ngok Dinka Paramount Chief, while another landed inside his compound, UNISFA reported. The other shell landed at a nearby primary school.

"UNISFA patrols were immediately launched by the Quick Reaction Force Company located at the Abyei Camp," UNISFA said. "A patrol from the 10th Battalion also responded to the incident to dominate that area of Abyei as well as Noong and Doungap areas. In addition, troops from Ethbatt – 11 & 12 have been placed on high alert."

UNISFA said the attack was committed by "anti-peace elements" at a time when there are efforts to bring Abyei's communities together. The security mission strongly condemned the attack, saying it can only contribute to tension and chances of renewed violence.

"UNISFA would like to reiterate that any presence of armed groups within the Abyei box other than its own troops is viewed as a violation of its mandate and will not hesitate to place responsibility on those engaged in such violations," the statement read.

Attack may disrupt peace conference

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Sultan Nyuot Paguot of the Ngok Dinka said the shelling began around 9:30 pm from east and western parts of Abyei town. He cited slightly different details from the UNISFA report, claiming five, not three, people were injured, and saying the killed child was seven years of age.

He said civilian populations in Abyei fled the town fearing further shelling but have begun returning as the situation appears normal.

The Ngok leader accused Sudan Armed Forces from Diffra of the attack with the intention to disrupt the upcoming peace conference between the Misseriya al Jaira and the Ngok Dinka which is scheduled to take place at Diffra, called Kech by his tribe. The Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya Arab tribes both claim the Abyei area.

“The plan for the Sudan government was to create fear among two tribes in order to postpone the peace conference, but the two tribes of Dinka Ngok and Misseriya are ready to conduct peace conference in Diffra," Nyuot said.

Asked how he knew the attackers were from SAF, Nyuot said the Sudanese government has already tried to disrupt the peace conference by refusing members of the Misseriya from attending. He mentioned that Sudan's government arrested members of the Misseriya peace committee from Diffra last month.

He claimed that Sudan's government often causes problem among Misseriya tribe by accusing the Ngok of being troublemakers. 

Juba blames Khartoum

For his part, South Sudan's deputy minister of foreign affairs Peter Bashir Gbandi accused the Sudan Armed Forces in cooperation with allied militia from the Misseriya of carrying out the attack.

Bashir said he received a report from the office of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee and the office of the Abyei Chief Administrator that a unit of Sudanese troops stationed at Diffra in Abyei's north have been engaged in "provocative and hostile activities" in the past months.

“We are deeply concerned as the government and as the people of South Sudan of the developing security situation in Abyei over the past months, and particularly in the light of shelling on the town yesterday,” Bashir said.

The diplomat said South Sudan remains committed to finding an amicable solution to the conflict in Abyei through peaceful dialogue, but warned that the international community should keep an eye on the issue.

"I know the government of Sudan is committed to addressing the issue through peaceful dialogue, just like the government of the republic of South Sudan, but there are people who may be against this," Bashir said.

This article was updated 27/11/2015 at 21:18 with comments from Sultan Nyuot Paguot.