The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has strongly condemned the armed attack by Misseriya on Mabok village in southern Abyei on 13 April which resulted in the death of four Ngok Dinka and kidnapping of one child while some 50 dwellings in the village were burnt down.
In a statement on Thursday, UNISFA said it is saddened that the attack is happening despite efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between the communities.
“More worrisome is the fact that at a time when the world is united to fight a common enemy, the COVID-19 virus, spoilers within the two communities still find space to engage in acts that can only reverse the gains made over the past few years in the peace process in Abyei Area,” the statement said.
UNISFA urged Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities, particularly their leaderships, to take advantage of peace initiatives for resolving conflicts between them and warned that it will not hesitate to place responsibility on those who are bent on upsetting the peace in the area.
UNISFA’s Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Mehari Zewde Gebremariam, in keeping with UNISFA’s mandate, reiterated that UNISFA will not tolerate the presence of any armed group within the Abyei Area and will not hesitate to place responsibility on those engaged in such violations.
The mission said it is fully committed to pursuing its mandate to ensure that Abyei Area is “weapons’ free” and rid of armed groups.