UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged authorities in Sudan and South Sudan to act to avert further attacks in the disputed Abyei border region.
The Secretary-General strongly condemned deadly drone strikes near a busy market on Monday that killed dozens of civilians, injured many others and set structures ablaze.
“I express my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a swift recovery to the injured,” he said in a statement published late on Wednesday.
He noted that in the aftermath of the attack, the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei (UNISFA) deployed medical personnel, firefighting equipment and quick reaction forces to provide emergency treatment, support casualty evacuation and prevent the fire from spreading.
Respect and protect civilians
The strikes on Amiet Market and the Todach area are among the latest developments in the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and former allies the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in April 2023.
The Secretary-General stressed that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law.
“I remind that all parties to the armed conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including to respect and protect civilians at all times,” he said, underlining the need for accountability and calling on the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan “to take all steps possible to help prevent further attacks and uphold Abyei’s demilitarised status”.
The mission continues to engage with authorities and community leaders to help restore calm in the area. More from UNISFA: https://unisfa.unmissions.org/en
