Key facts
- At least 26 people were killed and 82 injured in Abyei town.
- The clashes involved members of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes.
- The violence was sparked by the killing of two men from both tribes on Monday and Tuesday.
- The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) reinforced its security presence and deployed additional forces.
- Abyei is an oil-rich area jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan.
At least 26 people were killed and 82 others injured in Abyei town, located on the border between South Sudan and Sudan, following clashes between two rival tribes, the United Nations said on Thursday. The violence involved members of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes and was reportedly sparked by the initial killing of two men from both tribes on Monday and Tuesday.
The Amiet Common Market in Abyei town, a key economic hub, was the site of the clashes. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) stated that the initial killings escalated tensions between the communities. Following the violence, UNISFA reinforced its security presence in and around the market and deployed additional forces to de-escalate the situation.
The Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes have a history of rivalry, with similar deadly clashes occurring in the past over disputes concerning grazing lands and watering points for their animals. Abyei is an oil-rich area that is jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, with both nations having claimed ownership since South Sudan's independence in 2011. South Sudan has largely been at peace since a 2018 agreement ended a five-year conflict, with elections due in December.