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A new surge of violence has erupted, as south Sudan accused an unknown militia of burning a village in the disputed area. More » Tim McKulka/UN
Khartoum — The surge of violence in Sudan’s disputed area of Abyei has forced thousands to flee, aid groups said, as south Sudan accused an unknown militia of burning a village in the area, and north Sudan-allied Misseriya tribe threatens to enter Abyei “by force” within 10 days.
Medecins Sans Frontieres said on Friday that tens of thousands of people had left Abyei town “mostly empty” as tension in the area exacerbated after violent clashes this week between South Sudan policemen and the north-backed Arab nomadic tribe of Misseriya killed at least 100 people.
The confrontations highlighted the tension associated with the onset of the migration season in which Misseriya tribesmen traverse the borders into Abyei, which is mainly populated by the south-linked Dinka Ngok people, to search for pastures.
North and South Sudan, which both contest the oil-producing area, agreed in a meeting held on Friday to set up a joint committee to address insecurity in the area. The committee will adopt measures to ensure the implementation of a peace deal signed after the latest violence in January.
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