SUDAN / ABYEI PATROLS

The UN mission is Sudan (UNMIS) reported today that the situation in and around Abyei remains volatile and tense. The Sudan Armed Forces maintain their presence in the town, and a large number of Misseriya militia has also been reported. UNMIS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:11
• Production Date: 26 May 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SUDAN - UNMIS
• Subject Topical: PEACE AND SECURITY; POLITICAL CONDITIONS
• Geographic Subject: SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U110526c

Description

A STORY: SUDAN / ABYEI PATROLS
TRT: 2:11
SOURCE: UNMIS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 26 MAY 2011, ABYEI, SUDAN

Shotlist

25 MAY 2011, ABYEI, SUDAN

1. Pan right, part of Abyei town from sentinel
2. Wide shot, military vehicle driving past
3. Various shots, thatched houses
4. Various shots, thatched houses and burnt house in the foreground
5. Wide shot, technical passing through
6. Wide shot, house burning in the distance
7. Med shot, United Nations Armoured Personnel carrier driving past
8. Wide shot, armed men walking into house
9. Wide shot, APC on patrol
10. Various shots, men walking through houses
11. Med shot, l tanks belonging to Sudan Armed Forces driving past
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Frode Staurset, United Nations Military Observer Commander, UN Military Observer Coordinator, Sector 6:
“We have in the last couple of days sent out four to six ground patrols. We have air patrols. We have seen for sure that Abyei town has been looted. We see a lot of Misseriya elements in the town and for sure SAF (Sudan Armed Forces) elements in the town. Apparently there are no civilians left as we can see – but for sure we cannot confirm that 100 percent.”
14. Wide shot, patrol driving through
15. Wide shot, belongings of people on the road and some people walking on road.

STORY:

While the Sudanese town of Abyei is now empty with its residents having fled the recent violence, the situation there continues to remain tense.

The disputed town, which is contested by both north and south Sudan, has witnessed renewed clashes in recent days, including looting and burning earlier this week, following the takeover of the area by Sudanese Government forces. The violence has led thousands to flee their homes.

Patrols around the area of conflict show that looting and pillaging have left the town badly damaged and empty.

SOUNDBITE (English) Frode Staurset, United Nations Military Observer Commander, UN Military Observer Coordinator, Sector 6:
“We have in the last couple of days sent out four to six ground patrols. We have air patrols. We have seen for sure that Abyei town has been looted. We see a lot of Misseriya elements in the town and for sure SAF (Sudan Armed Forces) elements in the town. Apparently there are no civilians left as we can see – but for sure we cannot confirm that 100 percent.”

The United Nations will continue with patrols in Abyei town which has been under the control of the Sudan Armed Forces.

Earlier this month, unidentified assailants shot and wounded four peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) while they were on patrol in Abyei, and last week a UN convoy transporting 200 troops of the Joint Integrated Units (JIU) of the Sudan Armed Forces was attacked.

Deadly clashes have claimed dozens of lives since the start of the year, when a referendum on Abyei’s status that was supposed to have been held never took place amid disagreement on voter eligibility. Southern Sudan will formally secede from the rest of the country on 9 July as a result of a separate referendum.