6 Killed in Disputed Area Between Sudan, South Sudan

In the region of Abyei, which is contested between Sudan and South Sudan, 6 people, including a high-ranking local official, were killed, according to local sources.

The oil-rich region has been witnessing frequent waves of violence as two rival factions from the Dinka ethnic group – Dinka Twic from South Sudan's Warrap state and Dinka Ngok from Abyei – dispute over the administrative border location.

Government officials reported that the Deputy Administrative Area Chief of Abyei, Noon Deng, and his team came under attack on the road from Abyei to the town of Aneet while returning from an official visit to the Rumamer region, where they were celebrating the New Year.

Teresa Chol, South Sudan's Deputy to Reuters, stated, "His driver, two of his bodyguards, and two national security personnel were killed."

This incident is the latest in the region, where dozens were killed in ethnic clashes in November.

Abyei lies in an ill-defined border region between Sudan and South Sudan, and both countries have claimed sovereignty over it since Juba declared independence from Khartoum in 2011.

The region operates under a special administrative arrangement, governed by officials appointed by both countries.