Mohammed Amin
24 January 2020•Update: 24 January 2020
KHARTOUM, Sudan
At least 29 people have been killed in tribal clashes erupted in Abyei, a contested area between Sudan and South Sudan, Sudanese Sovereign Council said on Thursday.
“This incident is very regretted and the head of the Sovereign Council Abdul Fatah Alburhan has sent a message of his condolences to his Southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Myardit,” read a statement by the council.
The council also fired the head of the Abyei Administration Salih Sloha who was appointed by the former regime of the ousted president Omar Al-Bashir.
According to the statement, Sudan is holding the UN peace keeping mission responsible for failing to protect the civilians.
It further pointed out that the two countries -- Sudan and South Sudan -- agreed to form an investigation committee to probe the circumstances of the incidents.
Separately, in a press release extended to Anadolu Agency, the South Sudan government accused the Sudanese National army backed by Arab militia of violence that led to at least 32 killings.
According to the statement, on Wednesday morning, “once again a combined force of Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) supported by their allied Missiriya militias, attacked the village of Kolom (12 kilometers) north of Abyei Town.”
The attacks killed 32 civilians, injured 24 others, and 15 children were abducted. The assailants also burned 22 houses, it added.
“The intention of these groups is the displacement of Ngok Dinka from their homes. It was also confirmed that the attackers were in a military uniform” read the statement.
Sudan Armed Forces spokesman was called by the Anadolu Agency but he did not reply.
