One of the church elders was killed in Sudan. Several religious buildings were destroyed on February 14 when a widespread attack on Aneet Market on the border of the disputed oil-rich region in Abyei in Sudan and Twic Country in South Sudan.
The Taj Ajakjch tribe, which belongs to President Salva Kiir of South Sudan, attacked Aneet town after claiming that this building belonged to them and ordered all the residents living in that building that they have to leave the building.
Buildings belonging to the Pentecostal Church and Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC), as well as a local mosque, were utterly destroyed.
In contrast, those who belonged to the Episcopal and Catholic churches were partially destroyed also burned the main market.
A-SPEC elder, Paul Kouk, was killed in the attack, and he was just 19 years old, and all of the residents of Aneet have reportedly fled to northern Abeyi.
As per the reports of the UN that nearly 15 other residents were killed during clashes in the area between 10 to February 16, in which two were humanitarian workers, and some 70,000 people have been displaced.
Founder of CSW’s President ‘Mervyn Thomas’ stated, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Paul Kouk and the whole community of Aneet. They have been forced to flee their homes following this appalling attack.
We provoke the South Sudanese sovereignty and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to work swiftly to address the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation, restore security, and enable citizens to return to their homes.”
The oil-rich Abyei province lies on the border of Sudan and South Sudan. After having agreements for its future contained in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 among the al Bashir administration and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), administrative arrangements for the province are yet to be settled.
