Deputy Chief Administrator of Abei Area, Hon. Noon Deng who was killed with five others including two of his bodyguards in a road ambush in Abyei - Courtesy

Authorities in Abyei have confirmed the killing of Deputy Chief Administrator Noon Deng and five others including two of his bodyguards in a road ambush in Rummamer County on Sunday.

The area information Minister, Bulis Koch Aguar told Eye Radio that Bridger General Deng was on his way to attend New Year Prayers in Jouljok Parish when he was ambushed by suspected Twic armed youth.

The incident occurred between Wunpeth and Waueshin Area at around 5:00 PM on Sunday.

Mr Kock said General Deng was killed along with two of his bodyguards, driver, and two National Security VIP protection officers.

“In this barbaric attack, Hon. Noon Deng Nyok, his two bodyguards, two National Security VIP protection, and a driver were killed in this crime,” Koch said.

The Abyei spokesperson has called on the national government to immediately investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.

In response, Warrap Information Minister William Wol Mayom confirmed the incident but said Twic youth are not to blame until instead the incident is investigated.

Eye Radio could not independently verify both claims.

However, the two neighboring communities have been embroiled in a vicious cycle of violence.

According to the UN Mission in South Sudan, 85 people were confirmed killed between the two communities in November and early December.

The latest incident brings the death toll to around a hundred.

In December last year,  the UN Security Council and the Troika Countries- Norway, the UK, and the US called on the unity government to demilitarize the buffer zone and defuse tension between the communities.