Attacks by gunmen in Unity State
One man is in a critical condition and two others injured when their car was ambushed by unknown gunmen in Parieng County, Unity State. The attack happened on Monday evening between Tor and Buoki village, about 60 Kilometers from Bentiu town.
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The bandits opened fire on the moving vehicle, shooting passenger Monyjok Thon Cham in the head and body, Thon Akol Chuol in the legs and the driver Tim Thaa Luok suffered a minor wound to his hand. Cham was first taken to Parieng village and then on to Bentiu teaching hospital, where he is struggling for survival.
Both Luok and Chuol told SUDANVOTES they suspected the attackers were Misseriya. They said the bandits spoke in Arabic and were dressed like Arab warriors, and after firing at the vehicle they ran into the bush. The vehicle belongs to the State Advisor for Education, Chol Kiir Marial, who seriously condemned the violent actions.
"We are not involved."
In a separate incident the same night, gunmen carried out an attack in Abiemhnom County, hitting a soldier in the head and policeman Yai Chol Dau in the body. Dau was rushed to Bentiu Teaching Hospital. He told SUDANVOTES the unknown bandits came at 2:00am and attacked Pankuel village in Abiemhnom County, burning down three houses. Dau said the group was carrying heavy weapons including a rocket propelled grenade-launcher.
Misseriya Chief Rahma Abdul Rahman - source: Sudan TV
Authorities in Abiemhnom County are investigating where such forces carrying heavy weapons come from. Forces have been deployed in the areas where the two incidents occurred. Many residents suspect that Misseriya communities are behind the attacks. State authorities have seriously condemned the attacks by Misseriya and the rebel groups who took arms after the general election of April last year.
However, Misseriya Chief Rahma Abdul Rahman, speaking to SUDANVOTES by phone, denied that Miseriya were responsible for the attacks. He said, "We are not involved but we are still keeping to the agreement with the Southern Kordofan Government to respect the border crossing issue".
