Barricade tape for crime scene (Courtesy)

At least 32 people were killed including a United Nations peacekeeper during the Sunday morning attacks on Abyei Administrative Area, a government official confirmed.

The unnamed Ghanaian soldier of the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei was reportedly killed as the peacekeeping body tried to intervene and stop a deadly onslaught on several villages in southern Abyei.

Abyei Information Minister Bolis Kuoch said the conflict erupted at 5 AM when armed men unleashed firepower on Rum Ameer and Aleel counties.

Minister Kuoch added that 20 others were wounded in the fight.

In an interview with Eye Radio, he said UNISFA peacekeepers have successfully intervened and restored calm across the conflict zones.

“32 people were killed and 20 others wounded, and the situation has just calmed, and the clashes stopped one hour ago,” Kuoch told Eye Radio.

“UNISFA intervened on both sides and managed to stop the clashes. Two sides of the conflict have withdrawn now the situation is calm, One of the UNISFA peacekeepers was killed in Malual Aleu area of Aleel county.”

When contacted earlier, Warrap State Minister of Information William Wol Mayom said the accusations were being investigated.

The incident is a continuation of renewed hostilities between the neighboring communities despite several peace efforts in the past.

On Monday, November 10, 2023, both the Warrap government and Abyei Civil Society Organization issued separate statements accusing each other’s youth of cross-border attacks.

The statement by authorities in Warrap alleged that armed youth from Abyei Administrative Area attacked a military barrack in Twic resulting in the death of 36 soldiers, three women, and three children.