Area closed off to residents in Abyei, Sudan

Residents in Abyei, a Sudanese region on the border with South Sudan, are banned from areas in the northern part of the area following a deadly attack on a market last week.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, native administration leader Chol Deng Alak said that the decision by local leaders prohibits the precense of Abyei residents in the northern areas Noo and Aniet.

“The decision came two days after the killing of two civilians in the market of Aniet by pro-government militiamen,” Alak explained. “People in Abyei have expressed their discontent with the step and find it unsuccessful.”

On Tuesday 28 June, gunmen in military uniforms opened fire on a car with residents of Abyei on their way to Noo's market. Alak reported that the culprits seized the vehicle and escaped to an unknown destination.

Yesterday he accused the Sudanese government of exerting pressure local leaders, preventing peaceful coexistence between the Misseriya and Dinka Ngok tribes “The Sudanese government should stop its negative interference in issues of the region.

“The native adminstrations of the tribes have sent a message in which they announced their rejection of the ban [to the designated authorities].”

Alak stressed that the area is important for trade and agriculture, and rightfully belongs to the Dinka Ngok. “Any insistence on depriving the people of the region will have a negative effect on their lives.”