Abyei violence has killed 75 people in two weeks, says UN envoy

JUBA – At least 75 people have been killed in two weeks in the disputed Abyei region, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Nicolas Haysom said on Thursday.

Haysom made the remarks during a press conference in Juba, where he expressed concern about the recent spate of violence in Abyei.

He said that the intercommunal violence between the warring Dinka communities has claimed the lives of at least 75 people in the last two weeks.

“We have been concerned by the report of violence in the Abyei Administrative Area and Warrap State which have claimed at least 75 lives in the last two weeks,” Haysom said. “Leaders of these communities need to recognize that repeated cycles of retaliatory violence are not going to solve their problems.”

The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan called on the government to investigate these attacks and killings and hold the perpetrators accountable. He also urged the government to work with the communities to reduce tension and find peaceful ways to resolve their differences.

“They need to use peaceful means to resolve issues that divide them. I call upon the government to investigate these attacks and killings and to do what is necessary to reduce the tension between the affected communities,” he said.

The continuing fighting between the Twic and Ngok Dinka communities first erupted in February 2022 at Aneet market in Abyei Administrative Area over land ownership. In the aftermath of the violence, President Salva Kiir formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the killings.

In May 2023, leaders from the two communities reached an agreement to cease hostilities but fighting later erupted again. At least four people, including a state minister believed to have incited the renewed fighting, have been arrested.

The UN envoy’s comments come as the region is grappling with a number of challenges, including intercommunal violence, food insecurity, and climate change. The UN has called on all parties to work together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Abyei.