A joint force of South Sudan’s army (SSPDF) and the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA) have opened a road linking Twic in South Sudan’s Warrap State and the contested border region between Sudan and South Sudan after communal violence affected movements.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, Warrap State governor Aleu Ayieny Aleu said the situation was back to normal after both sides deployed forces in strategic and hotspot areas to facilitate the movement of goods and people after a violent communal conflict pitting members of ethnic Twic in Warrap State and Ngok Dinka in Abyei.
“The security situation which experienced some hiccups recently has returned to normal after we coordinated with UNISFA (United Nations Interim Force for Abyei). Forces have now been deployed and the main road reopened. People and goods are moving freely,” explained Aleu.
He said several commercial trucks and private cars resumed movement on the main road connecting Abyei with other towns in South Sudan on Sunday.
The governor, currently in Juba, said movement resumed after SSPDF established a buffer zone between Twic and the Abyei administrative area.
He said movement was halted after tension between the two communities.
“What happened between the two communities is a shame to all. These are brothers and sisters. The president has formed the committee and the committee has presented the report with recommendations to address the problem,” stressed Aleu.
He said the issue of internal borders is the competence of the council of states and the president has asked the council to move around the country to listen to the people and ensure the border issues are settled amicably.
An investigation committee tasked to probe the communal violence which erupted in February 2022 between some clans from Warrap and Abyei faulted some politician and intellectuals from the two neighbouring areas of fueling the conflict.
Source: Sudan Tribune