Two peacekeepers killed in Abyei violence

By Benjamin Takpiny

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on Monday confirmed the death of two peacekeepers since clashes broke out on Saturday in the Abyei Special Administrative Area between Ngok Dink and suspected armed youth from Warrap state.

 The two peacekeepers are from Ghana and Pakistan, according to a statement issued by UNISFA.

The Pakistani peacekeeper died on 28 January when a convoy of UNISFA transporting affected civilians came under attack.

 “As part of its mandate to protect civilians, UNISFA has allowed all persons, in imminent threat of danger to seek refuge in some of its camps. Yesterday, while transporting affected civilians from a UNISFA base to a hospital, peacekeepers came under heavy fire, during which a Pakistani peacekeeper was killed and four uniformed personnel and one local civilian sustained injury,” it said.

 UNISFA extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen peacekeepers, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

“The Mission strongly condemns these attacks against civilians and peacekeepers, recalling that violence against Blue Helmets may constitute a war crime under international law,” it said.

UNISFA said it is engaging with local authorities to verify numbers of those who have been killed, injured, and displaced.

So far 52 civilians have been confirmed dead while 64 others are said to be gravely wounded.

“The Mission is making every effort to restore calm, including proactively and robustly protecting civilians, and reiterates its call for a swift investigation so that perpetrators can be held accountable,” it said.

In a similar development, the Embassies of Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States strongly condemned the series of armed attacks on January 27 and 28 on a United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) base and on UNISFA personnel that led to the deaths of two peacekeepers, injuries to several other UNISFA personnel, and wider civilian casualties.

“We understand that the two peacekeepers killed were from Ghana and Pakistan.  We express our deepest condolences to the families of the peacekeepers and of the civilians who lost their lives.  We stand with our UNISFA colleagues during this difficult time.  We denounce in the strongest terms the targeting of United Nations peacekeepers and call for those responsible for these attacks to be held accountable,” the embassies said in a joint statement.

They said that they are deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in recent months between communities living in and around the Abyei Administrative Area.

“South Sudanese political and community leaders must act with urgency to end the conflict.  All leaders who have influence with involved communities and who fail to use it to support peace are demonstrating their disregard for the interests of their people,” it said.