Deadly Clashes in Abyei Escalate as Over 50 Killed in South Sudan Border Violence

Juba – In a disturbing escalation of violence in the contested border region of Abyei, over 54 individuals including civilians and United Nations peacekeepers have lost their lives. This recent surge of attacks marks the deadliest outbreak since 2021 amidst a long-standing boundary dispute between South Sudan and Sudan.

On Saturday, armed youths from the Warrap State of South Sudan instigated violent raids into the Abyei area, which is known for its oil reserves and is currently under joint administration by both nations. Bulis Koch, Abyei's information minister, disclosed the tragic toll of the assaults, noting the death of 52 locals alongside two UN peacekeepers. Among the local victims were women, children, and police officials, while an additional 64 individuals suffered injuries.

Responding to the gravity of the breaches in security which have incited widespread terror and uncertainty, authorities in Abyei have imposed a curfew. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Unisfa) reported the fatality of a Ghanaian peacekeeper in the town of Agok as their base was besieged during the attacks. Furthermore, a Pakistani peacekeeper lost his life in a subsequent incident, with several others, including one civilian, wounded as they endeavored to transport victims to a hospital.

The Abyei authorities have acknowledged that hundreds of distressed and displaced civilian have sought refuge at Unisfa bases in the wake of the violence. In a statement addressing accountability and the pursuit of peace, William Wol, Warrap state’s information minister, has committed to a cooperative inquiry with the Abyei administration to examine these devastating events.

Historical tensions in Abyei have been exacerbated by conflicts between competing sections of the Dinka ethnic group over administrative boundaries—zones of economic significance due to the tax revenue gleaned from cross-border commerce. This latest clash reportedly involved young Dinka men from Warrap and forces allied with a Nuer rebel leader targeting Dinkas and Nuers within Abyei.

South Sudan’s history is marred by a brutal civil war that erupted shortly after its secession from Sudan—a conflict defined by ethnic divisions, primarily between Dinkas and Nuers, resulting in extensive casualties between 2013 and 2018. Despite the formal end of the war, intermittent skirmishes among various armed factions continue to sow death and dislocation among civilians. Notably, a previous bout of fighting in Abyei in November claimed at least 32 lives.

The international community observes with concern as the situation in Abyei highlights the complex web of historical grievances, ethnic rivalries, and geopolitical disputes that continue to challenge the stability of the region. The loss of United Nations peacekeepers in this latest spate of violence adds an international dimension to the crisis, prompting calls for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the border dispute and establish a lasting peace.