MPs prevail on UNISFA to up security in Abyei

The council of states appealed to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to protect the civilians living in Abyei.

An ad-hoc Committee of the Council of States on the inter-communal conflict between Ngok Dinka of Abyei and Twic Dinka of Warrap state made the remarks during the meeting with the UNISFA commander in Abyei over the weekend.

In his remarks, Angelo Bada, who is the head of the committee, appealed to the UNISFA to step up security initiatives for the war-torn region.

He urged the forces to strengthen their efforts to ensure that the people of Abyei are protected from the Misseriya attacks.

Bada also appealed to UNISFA to spearhead the reconciliatory initiatives for the communities residing under the protection of the civilian site.

The lawmaker urged  Twic community members who are serving as staff in UNISFA to strengthen their working relations and use it to bring peace between the two communities.

According to Bada, the communities have agreed to respect the cessation of hostilities, saying peace will soon return among the feuding parties.

He pledged government commitment to supporting the partners to ensure that stability is realised in the country.

The UNISFA field commander, Maj Gen Benjamin Olufemi, heeded the request and pledged to step up the quest for community protection.  

He appreciated the MPs’ intervention during the community conflict, adding that UNISFA would initiate a reconciliation process among the community.

 Since the outbreak of the intermittent inter-communal violence between the Ngok Dinka of Abyei and Twic Dinka of Warrap State, several lives have been lost and thousands of people have been displaced from their homes.

The residents of Abyei have also come under attack from Sudan’s Misseriya nomads.