South Sudan to deploy troops in Abyei to curb violent crimes

JUBA – The government of South Sudan has resolved to send SSPDF forces to curb rising insecurity in the Abyei Administrative Area.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Michael Makuei after the cabinet meeting in Juba on Friday.

The decision comes barely a week after fresh fighting was reported in the area of Malual-Aleu between Ngok Dinka and Twic, leaving scores injured.

According to reports, the insecurity forced travellers heading to the Abyei area from Wau to turn back.

Makuei said the decision was reached over “failure by the UNISFA team to secure the lives and properties of the citizens in the area.”

“Despite their intervention, they could not solve any problem and as such, it is decided that the UNMISS force should be informed to be vigilant, keep and maintain law and order…The SSPDF will be sent to the site in order to control the situation,” Makuei told reporters.

He added that the cabinet has also resolved to reinforce the investigation committee formed by the president last month to bring about peace between Ngok Dinka and Twic communities.

“The investigation committee needs to be strengthened so that the two parties can continue to maintain law and order until that time when the committee presents its report to the cabinet,” he said.

In recent months, violence intensified in the contested region despite the presence of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNISFA) in the area.

According to authorities in the area, some of the attacks were carried out by the Sudanese Messeriya community.

The most recent attack happened last month in the area where more than 40 civilians including women and children were killed by suspected Messeriya tribesmen in separate incidents in the area.

Source: Radio Tamazuj