Courtesy - of - www.rappler.com

 New clashes between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka in the disputed Abyei area have left 21 people dead in Abyei area.

It is not clear how many people died.

Thirteen Misseriya were reportedly killed on Saturday, while other sources spoke of eight Ngok Dinka deaths.

South Sudan’s ambassador to Khartoum, Mayen Dut Waal, said the clashes involved only civilians and that no government forces from South Sudan or Sudan had taken part.

However, the Sudanese army was quoted as saying in media reports that military personnel from South Sudan were in the area.

Resolving the final status of Abyei remains a major issue between Sudan and South Sudan.

In 2012, the African Union mediation team proposed holding a referendum in Abyei, but said only those living permanently in the area would be allowed to decide whether they wanted to join Sudan or South Sudan.

The Sudanese government rejected the proposal and an independent referendum was organized last year by the Ngok Dinka community.

The chief administrator of the Abyei administration, Mario Kuol Monyluak, said there was another attack yesterday morning in which a rocket-propelled grenade hit two young men.