UN peacekeepers attacked in Sudan's disputed Abyei area

[News_Editor]

UN peacekeepers attacked in Sudan's disputed Abyei area

2011-05-11 03:07:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) on Tuesday informed that UN peacekeepers were attacked by unknown gunmen in Sudan's disputed Abyei area.

At about 4:40 p.m. local time, four blue helmets from Zambia were shot by unidentified assailants as they were on patrol to the north of the town of Abyei. One of the UN staff members is reported to be in serious condition.

"We condemn this act against peacekeepers who are discharging their duties to try to help maintain peace and security in Abyei," said Kouider Zerrouk, spokesperson for UNMIS.

Earlier in the day, the UN peacekeepers were forced by armed men to turn back at the village of Goli and were attacked as they were returning to the town of Diffra. They were transported to Abyei for medical treatment.

UNMIS has started an investigation into the shootings, which occurred on the day that the north and southern sides had agreed to start withdrawing their unauthorized forces from Abyei as part of a pact facilitated by the UN.

Last Sunday, both sides agreed to withdraw their forces from Abyei and to immediately deploy combined teams to the disputed area to provide security while establishing the Abyei Joint Technical Committee, facilitated by UNMIS.

The agreement is part of a broader effort aimed at de-escalating tensions in an area and ending the violence in the Abyei area. Dozens have been killed due to the violence as deadly clashes broke out in the beginning of the year.

Violence erupted after the referendum on Abyei's status never took place amid disagreement on voter eligibility. In July, Southern Sudan will secede from the rest of the country, as a result of a separate referendum held in January.

However, the north and south have been recently disputing over border demarcation and the status of the conflicted Abyei area.

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