Abyei declares 3-day mourning after death of deputy chief administrator

JUBA – The government of Abyei Special Administrative Area, on Tuesday, declared a three-day mourning period following the killing of the area’s Deputy Chief Administrator Brig. Gen. Noon Deng Nyok.

On 31^st December 2023, the late Gen. Deng along with five people including two of his bodyguards were ambushed and killed by suspected armed youth while on the way to Agok to attend the New Year prayers at Jouljok Parish.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Minister Bulis Koch Aguar, Abyei Information Minister, said the mourning will commence on Tuesday and end on Thursday.

“The government of Abyei Special Administrative Area has declared a three-day period of mourning following the assassination of the Deputy Chief Administrator Hon. Brig. Gen. Noon Deng Nyok who was ambushed and assassinated alongside his two (2) bodyguards, two (2) National Security VIP protection personnel and a driver by armed Youth from Twic county of Warrap State and Gai Machiek militias on December 31st 2023 while on his way to Agok to attend the new year prayers at Jouljok Parish in Rum-Amer County,”  Koch said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Koch, official spokesperson of the government of Abyei Special Administrative Area said the period of mourning starts on Tuesday, 2^nd January and ends on Thursday, January 4^th, 2024.

Abyei region, known for its oil wealth, has been marred by recurring violence, largely stemming from Dinka Ngok and Twic.

The disagreement revolves around the demarcation of the administrative boundary in the region.