Sudanese Turmoil Continues

The town of Abyei has long been contested between North and South Sudan. As South Sudan will become independent in July, violence has escalated in this little area culminating in northern troops taking over the area over the weekend, killing southern troops as well as civilians. The North claims they did this after northern troops were attacked by southern troops during a U.N. envoy where 22 men were killed. The U.N. condemned the actions of the South, but the South has refused to accept responsibility for the attack. Recent reports from the U.N. describe the town as being "set on fire, with gunmen looting the property." South Sudan has called this an act of war. Such a statement encompasses the fears that many hold that the decades-long civil war will reignite. At this point, almost the whole population of the town has fled, numbering around 20,000. It's hard to see a peaceful transition of power to the South in less than 2 months as long as this violence ensues.

-Abbey Smith