The Abyei Special Administrative Area Government condemned assassination attempts on the lives head of the local government and Rule of Law Department, Hon. Abionweng Majith, and commissioner of Rumamer County Hon. Ayuel Kiir, after they were shot at by members of the South Sudan People Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Agok area, on Sunday. The incident resulted in the injury of Hon. Ayuel Kiir and four others receiving treatment at MSF hospital, and the killing of three guards protecting the officials, including the head of personal guards of the chief administrator.
A statement issued by the Abyei Administrative Area government and signed by the Acting Head of the Information Department, Hon. Nyinkwany Aguer Bol stated that the incident clearly indicates the existence of a plan by members of the SSPDF that they do not want the presence of the Abyei Civil Administration in Agok.
The statement confirmed that there was evidence that the car belonging to the head of the Local Government and Rule of Law Department was targeted, official’s luggages and those of the head of protection were looted in his vehicle. The statement called on the army high command to conduct an immediate investigation and hold the perpetrators of the operation accountable, and also called for an immediate redeployment of forces outside the city of Agok/Aniet.
The Abyei government’s statement held the army commander in Agok fully responsible for the incident.
For his part, the Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Santino Deng Wol, said that the army leadership would send an investigation committee to investigate the facts about the failed assassination attempts on the head of the Local Government and Rule of Law Department and the Commissioner of Rumamer County.
He denied the presence of Titweng forces in Agok, stressing that the force present in the area belongs to the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.