SSPDF deploys forces to create ‘buffer zone’ between Ngok, Twic Dinka

JUBA – South Sudan army has deployed heavily armed forces between the Ngok and Twic Dinka to prevent further clashes following violence in which Aneet Market was burned to ash following intercommunal violence, a senior Abyei official has said.

Ajak Deng, the spokesman of the Abyei Administrative Area said troops belonging to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) were deployed to apparently create a buffer zone to prevent further clash.

“Is a new thing, I think they brought the new commander and they increased the number and so they are doing that to create a buffer zone between Abyei and Twic County,” he is quote by the Eye Radio as saying.

Earlier this week, around 15 civil society organizations in Abyei organized demonstrations to protest what they call continued killing and looting of properties in their villages by people from neighboring Warrap state.

This come months after fighting erupted at Aneet market over a decision by the government of Abyei to survey the area which was protested by Twic citizens who claimed that they have rights in Aneet.

“They are busy now opening the road that was blocked at Mading Ayuel–Dit, which is coming from Wau. It has not been working since when people were captured along the road. But they are trying now to deploy along that road so that it can work,” Deng added.