Map showing Warrap State and Abyei Administrative Area. (Photo: Courtesy).

Authorities in the Abyei Administrative Area appealed to the national government to deploy troops to protect vulnerable civilians.

This came after 13 people were killed in an attack by armed men on Monday 2nd January 2023.

The spokesperson of the Administrative Area Ajak Deng told Eye Radio a child and three women were among the deceased.

Deng also called on the SSPDF to establish a buffer zone between Abyei and Warrap.

According to the official, the incident happened at Rumamer Payam, the northern part of Kiir River.

Deng – who is also the area minister of education – added that the attackers crossed the river from the Southern side on Monday evening.

He said the situation is now tense and civilians are running to Abyei town, adding that many civilians have been displaced.

However, he could not mention their number.

“There was an attack in the village called Rumamer where 13 people lost their lives including three women and one girl, so that was on the 2nd of this month on Monday, this has been continuing,” said Deng.

“The government has deployed the troops, and this crossed the river and they come and attacked the villages north of the river and is not the areas that the attacks use to happen,

“We are appealing always to the government to deploy the troops on the border between Abyei and Twic County, this is our demand,

“The government is saying they are trying, and troops are now assembling in Agok but they are not deploying into the border.”

Since last year, dozens of civilians have been killed and others went missing in Rumamer Payam in Abyei, following several attacks.

The United States advised the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei’s mandate to authorize peacekeepers to use all necessary means, which includes the use of force when required, to protect civilians under threat of physical violence.

UNISFA has the mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, protect the area from incursions by unauthorized elements, and ensure security.