UNISFA debunks claims that 2 of its staff from Twic community were beaten by disgruntled youth in Abyei

JUBA – The United Nations Interim Security for Abyei (UNISFA) has dismissed as ‘false’ social media claims that two of its staffers from the Twic community of Warrap state were dragged out of the UNISFA headquarters and beaten in Abyei by local youth.

On May 26, a social media page claimed that two Twic Mayardit community members working for UNISFA were dragged out of the UNISFA compound in Abyei by local youth and were beaten with some being stabbed with knives, claiming that the incident took place in the watchful eye of UNISFA.

“These staff were dragged out of UNISFA compound in Abyei Town today, 26th May 2022 at 8:58 AM and brutally beaten, sustained severe injuries of which they were stabbed with knives by Abyei Armed Youth. This event took place at the watch of UNISFA and Abyei administrations,” the Facebook post claimed.

In a statement, the UNISFA denied the claim that two of its staff members were dragged out of its compound, but admitted that a ‘misunderstanding’ involving two Twic community members took place, but was inside the UNISFA compound.

“The attention of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) is drawn to the Facebook post published by Juba Tukul on 26 May 2022 alleging that two UNISFA staff from the Twic community were dragged out of the mission Headquarters, beaten, tortured, and stabbed, sustaining severe injuries under the watch of UNISFA peacekeepers,” the UNISFA said in a statement.

The UN mission said that while the claim was “not only false and sensational but does not represent the facts of the incident that happened on that day. While it is true that there was a misunderstanding involving two Twic Dinka staff mentioned in the post and a group of Ngok Dinka personnel working with one of UNISFA’s contractors, the incident took place within the mission compound and not outside

“Moreover, none of the Twic Dinka staff was stabbed with a knife as alleged in the post.

“The affected staff are doing well, while UNISFA security is investigating the incident. UNISFA as a mission, and the United Nations in general, has zero tolerance for fighting within its premises and UNISFA will not hesitate to take necessary disciplinary measures based on the result of the investigation by its security division.

“We call upon all stakeholders to cooperate with UNISFA in its efforts in ensuring that peace prevails in the Abyei area.