Fifty two killed in clashes in Abyei of Sudan

The UN peacekeeping force patrolling the region. File pic/UN

Gunmen attacked villagers in the oil-rich region of Abyei claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, leaving at least 52 people dead, including a UN peacekeeper, and 64 wounded, a regional official said Sunday.

The motive for the attack Saturday evening was suspected to revolve around a land dispute, Bulis Koch, Abyei information minister said.

Deadly ethnic violence has been common in the region, where Twic Dinka tribal members from neighboring Warrap State are locked in a land dispute with Ngok Dinka from Abyei over the Aneet area, located at the border.

The attackers were armed youth from the Nuer tribe who migrated to Warrap state last year because of flooding in their areas, Koch said.

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