United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned deadly drone attacks in the disputed Abyei region, calling for accountability and urging Sudan and South Sudan to prevent further attacks and protect the area’s demilitarized status.
The attacks struck areas near the busy Amiet Market and Todach on October 19, killing civilians, including women and children, and injuring many others. The United Nations says many people remain missing and the casualty toll could rise as the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, UNISFA, continues verification.
Local Abyei authorities have reported a significantly higher death toll and accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of carrying out the attack. However, responsibility has not been independently established by the United Nations.
Guterres expressed condolences to families who lost relatives and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
“Attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law,” Guterres said.
He reminded parties to the armed conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to respect and protect civilians, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable.
The UN chief also called on the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to take measures to prevent further attacks and uphold Abyei’s demilitarized status.
Following the attacks, UNISFA deployed medical personnel, firefighters and quick-reaction forces to provide emergency treatment, evacuate casualties and prevent fires from spreading.
The peacekeeping mission has also been engaging authorities and community leaders in efforts to restore calm.
The Government of South Sudan has strongly condemned the attack and summoned Sudan’s ambassador in Juba to formally protest the incident.
South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern about the impact of the attack on civilian security and stability in Abyei and called for the situation to be addressed through peaceful and diplomatic means.
Residents of Abyei also staged a peaceful protest following the attack, calling for stronger protection of civilians and an investigation into the incident.
Abyei remains disputed between Sudan and South Sudan. Its final political status has remained unresolved since South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011.
The attack comes amid the continuing war in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which erupted in April 2023.
The conflict has displaced millions of people and created a severe humanitarian crisis, while fighting has increasingly affected areas of Kordofan bordering the Abyei region.
Both sides in Sudan’s conflict have increasingly used drones, raising concerns about the impact of the war on civilians and the risk of violence spreading into neighbouring and disputed areas.
Amiet Market, located north of Abyei town, is an important trading centre serving communities from both Sudan and South Sudan, including people displaced by Sudan’s conflict.
The latest attack has heightened concerns that Sudan’s war could further destabilize Abyei, where UN peacekeepers have been deployed to maintain security while Sudan and South Sudan seek a lasting settlement over the territory.