Abyei residents, including community leaders and civil society, protested a drone strike attributed to Sudanese forces that killed dozens at a market.
Residents of the Abyei Administrative Area protested on Tuesday against a drone strike on Amiet Joint Market, which reportedly killed dozens of people on Monday. The market is situated in the disputed territory between Sudan and South Sudan. The South Sudanese government has condemned the attack and summoned the Sudanese ambassador. The protest, which included community leaders, civil society, youth, and women, called for enhanced civilian protection.
Demonstrators submitted a petition to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), urging an investigation into the attack and its referral to the UN Security Council. Rose Monytoc Dau, leader of Abyei Civil Society, stated the attack, attributed to drones operated by the Sudanese Armed Forces, violated international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions. The petition cited resolutions 1990 (2011) and 2445 (2018).
UNISFA Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, acknowledged the community's concerns and pledged to forward the petition to relevant authorities. He welcomed the peaceful expression of opinions and assured the protesters that their message had been heard and would be transmitted.
Why it mattersAbyei residents are affected by a deadly drone strike on a market, prompting protests and calls for protection and investigation.
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