From BBC News dated 04:37 20 Nov 2023
By Richard Hamilton
BBC World Service Newsroom - here is a copy in full:
UN peacekeeper among 32 killed in Sudan clashes
AFP Copyright: AFP Image caption: The UN has extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in Abyei
The Sudanese authorities in the disputed area of Abyei say at least 32 people have been killed after gunmen stormed local villages.
The Information Minister for Abyei, Bolis Kuoch, said more than 20 others were wounded when men opened fire on Sunday morning.
He said UN peacekeepers intervened to stop the violence but one of the peacekeepers was killed.
There have been ongoing hostilities between communities in Abyei over land and resources.
The region, rich in oil reserves, lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan and is considered to be part of both countries, since a peace agreement was signed in 2005.
Last week the UN Security Council extended the mandate of its peacekeeping mission there for one more year.
Click here to view original.
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POSTSCRIPT from Sudan Watch Editor
Note that any attack on peacekeepers constitutes a war crime. See UNISFA (United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei) Factsheet and map. Malakal in northern Upper Nile State, which has received huge numbers of South Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan, is where South Sudan deployed its first unified forces last Wednesday, unarmed. Also, 100 returnees in Unity State have headed back to transit camps near South Sudan-Sudan border citing hunger. Many have gone back to Sudan through Renk County in Upper Nile State and the Unity Oilfield road of Unity State.
Map of Abyei Area located on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, and Malakal in northern Upper Nile State, South Sudan.
(Map courtesy Wikipedia)
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UPDATE from Sudan Watch Editor Wed 22 Nov 2023 12:27 GMT:
The following report is surprising, especially considering the above report is from the BBC by Richard Hamilton. I'm always cautious when chronicling news. If in doubt, I wait to verify or leave it. In 20+ years of following the BBC's reports on Sudan and South Sudan, its news is rarely wrong.
This report says UNISFA in a statement clarified that they did not lose any peacekeepers during the fighting. “Contrary to inaccurate information published in media and other reports, no UNISFA peacekeepers were killed or wounded during the incident”. UNISFA says the attacks by a group of armed youths resulted in an estimated 27 people killed and 14 injured.
Report at Radio Tamazuj
Dated Tuesday, 21 November 2023 - here is a copy in full:
UNISFA condemns Abyei attacks, says no peacekeeper was killed
UNISFA’s Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr. (UN photo)
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on Monday strongly condemned Sunday’s attacks by a group of armed youths on villages in the area around Angath, Wunpeth, and Korioch in the Abyei.
The attacks resulted in an estimated 27 people killed and 14 injured.
In a statement, UNISFA however clarified that they did not lose any peacekeepers during the fighting.
On Sunday evening, Abyei Information Minister Bulis Koch told Radio Tamazuj that a Ghanaian peacekeeper with UNISFA was among those killed in the ensuing fighting.
“Contrary to inaccurate information published in media and other reports, no UNISFA peacekeepers were killed or wounded during the incident,” the UNISFA statement illuminated.
According to the UN Force, in responding to the attacks, their peacekeepers moved rapidly to enhance security in the affected area by intensifying patrols and closely monitoring the situation.
“UNISFA leadership is also engaging with the Abyei Area Administration and Ngok Dinka traditional leaderships as well as stakeholders in Juba to ensure peace and security is maintained in the Abyei area,” the statement read in part. “UNISFA’s
Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, reiterates the mission’s commitment to protecting civilians and calls on all communities to refrain from violence and commit to ensuring sustainable peace in Abyei.”
View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/unisfa-condemns-abyei-attacks-says-no-peacekeeper-was-killed
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Related report
Sudan Watch - November 22, 2023
Correction: UNISFA says no peacekeeper killed
UNISFA condemns Abyei attacks, says no peacekeeper was killed
Full story: https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/11/correction-unisfa-says-no-peacekeeper.html
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