SSPDF denies presence of its forces in Abyei Box

The Spokesman of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces has dismissed allegations that their forces are operating within the Abyei box.

On Monday, the Minister of Information in Abyei – Bol Koch – issued a statement, accusing SSPDF soldiers of deploying troops in Abyei box to instigate the violence between Twic and Abyei communities.

This came after the alleged Twic youth launched an attack in Abyei, leaving 32 people dead, and 30 others injured.

But according to the SSPDF spokesperson, Abyei Box is a weapon-free area that should not have the presence of any force either conventional or armed elements of both communities.

“We are not allowed to operate within Abyei box. That is what the agreement says, and this is what we are abiding by,” Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai told reporters in Juba on Wednesday.

The United Nations Interim Security force for Abyei known (UNISFA) is the only body mandated to take charge of the Abyei to protect civilians.

Ruai stated that SSPDF forces are only deployed outside the box to act as a buffer zone between Twic-Abyei communities.

“The joint forces were deployed outside Abyei Box to act as a buffer zone between the two rival groups and to ensure that the road, which connects the two regions, is not cut off by armed highway criminals,” he added.

In February 2022, the dispute between the two communities over the ownership of Aneet area led to deadly clashes.

Since then, armed youth from the two communities have been attacking each other.

This occurs despite conduct of several peace dialogues and a recommendation suggesting application of facts based on the 1956 Bahr el Ghazal-South Kordofan border.

The latest clashes took place on Sunday in Abyei, where 32 people were killed, and several others injured. The intercommunal conflict has claimed about 200 lives, so far.