Breaking: Sudanese armed forces clash with local police in Abyei and the UN appeals for calm

December 12, 2008
Sudanese Online Reporter




Media outlets have carried a breaking story about clashes breaking out between the Sudanese Armed Forces [SAF] and units of the local police in the disputed oil-rich town of Abyei.

The news website Sudan Tribue quoted Luka Biong Deng, a senior official in the Government of South Sudan, as saying on Friday that the SAF had clashed with local police in Abyei town. According to Sudan Tribune, Biong further said tension was high after the deadly clashes; however; he was unable to provide further details about what caused the clashes.

As Sudan Tribune did not indicate any information whether the clashes have resulted in any casualties, Reurters; however, cited a UN official as saying that at least one person was shot dead in the fighting that took place between members of the joint north-south Sudanese army and police units in the town. According to the UN official, an unknown number of people were seriously injured and no information were yet available on whether the casualties were northern or southern.

UN appeals for pacification

The head of the UN Mission in Sudan, Ashraf Qazi, said the incident involved members of Abyei's military Joint Integrated Unit and its Joint Integrated Police Unit. Qazi released a statement saying he deplored the "violent incident" which had resulted in "the loss of life and injuries" and called on residents of Abyei and the nearby settlements of Diffra and Agok to stay calm.

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