22 dead in gunfight in Sudan's Abyei

At least 22 people were killed as a result of gunfire in the special administrative region of Abyei in Sudan. Among them the South Sudanese appointed head of the Sudan Joint Committee on issues in the disputed oil-rich region.

According to local media reports Koval Deng and his party were driving through the territory of the Misseriya Tribe, despite warnings by the commander of the UN Interim Force which is providing security in Abyei.

According to a local television channel, Koval’s guards opened fire first and killed two local residents which caused local forces to open fire on the motorcade.

As a result two people accompanying Deng were also killed, as well as 17 local residents and two peacekeepers according to a statement by the Sudanese Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is reported that at least 12 other people were injured.