The UN Security Council has condemned the latest deadly clashes in the Abyei Administrative Area.
In mid-November and early December, officials reported renewed clashes, which claimed 75 lives.
“The members of the Security Council note with grave concern the continued presence of some forces as well as armed elements of the local communities in Abyei and reiterate that the Abyei Area be fully demilitarized without delay, recalling in this regard the 2011 Agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions,” said Council President José Javier de la Gasca Lopezdominguez (Ecuador).
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 death toll of the intercommunal conflict, which some traditional leaders blame on politicians, is about 200.
“The members of the Security Council underscore the important role the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) should play in the protection of civilians, including refugees, and in supporting community dialogue and facilitating reconciliation, and with the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism in support of achieving peace, security and stability in Abyei and the broader region,” Javier added.
Others claim the intercommunal conflict rages on because it has been ‘commercialized’ as armed youth attack food trucks and raid cattle in the area.