KHARTOUM, July 23 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on Sunday urged for self-restraint among the local communities in Abyei following a violent incident on Saturday leaving eight people dead.
"UNISFA calls for restraint and calm among communities in Abyei Area following the violent incident on 22 July 2017 along the highway of Todach to Goli, some 27 kilometers from Abyei town, that left eight civilians killed and one person injured," said the mission in a statement.
"UNISFA troops have conducted search operations, as well as an investigation of the incident, but the perpetrators have proved elusive so far," it noted.
The statement further said that the mission has stepped up its security measures on the highway leading to Amiet, a common market in Abyei.
It said the attack took place four days after the reopening of the trading activities at Amiet common market, noting that "Amiet common market has become a vital economic hub for Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities."
UNISFA expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims.
The UNISFA mission was created by a UN Security Council resolution on June 27, 2011 and is composed of around 4200 military personnel and 50 police personnel. However, in May, 2013, the Security Council decided to increase the mission personnel to 5,326.
The disputed oil-rich area of Abyei lies on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, where both countries claims affiliation of the region.
A referendum was scheduled to be held in Abyei to decide the fate of the area coincident with the referendum on self- determination for South Sudan in January 2011 which resulted in the separation between the north and the south, but the voting did not take place due to differences over who has the right to vote.
