Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Deadly Attacks in Disputed Abyei,

Proof of Need for Sudan, South Sudan to Resolve Area’s Final Status

The following statement was issued on 4 May by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killing of the Ngok Dinka Paramount Chief DengKuol Deng and a UNISFA [United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei] peacekeeper in an attack by a Misseriya assailant on a UNISFA convoy in the Abyei area today.  Two peacekeepers were also seriously wounded in the incident.

The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the Ngok Dinka community, the Government of Ethiopia and the families of the deceased and injured.  The Secretary-General urges the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan and the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities to remain calm and avoid any escalation of this unfortunate event.

This proves again how crucially important it is for the two Governments to establish the temporary institutions as stipulated in the 20 June 2011 Agreement and continue discussions on the final status of the Abyei area.

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For information media • not an official record