The spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday said the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the peacekeeping mission in the disputed area that straddles the border of South Sudan and Sudan, has reported that over the past two months, there has been an escalation in drone attacks and sightings in and around Kadugli, the capital of Sudan’s South Kordofan State.
Stephane Dujarric, who was briefing the press, said one attack struck a site for displaced people in Kulpa and resulted in six fatalities.
“This site is located about 25 kilometres from the logistics base of the peacekeeping mission’s Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism in Kadugli. Drone strikes were also reported in the Heglig oil-producing area, North of Abyei,” he said. “These attacks, which have resulted in deaths, injuries, civilian displacement as well as destruction of property, are likely to further isolate Kadugli, escalating the humanitarian crisis and threatening the delivery of humanitarian aid to the area.”
“Our peacekeepers are concerned and call on all those responsible to cease hostilities, ensure the safety of civilians, and adhere to international law,” Dujarric added.