In its continuing efforts to support peace and security in the Abyei area, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) recovered and handed-over 62 herd of cattle to the rightful owners on 2 July 2017 in Todach. This was a result of the follow-through operations of stolen animals reported by the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya pastoralist groups.
From the 62 animals, 43 cattle stolen during a raid on 30 June near the Sink water reservoir point, were handed over to the Misseriya owner while 19 cattle were returned to an Ngok Dinka pastoralist, who earlier received 58 herd of cattle recovered last week.
“With the support of both communities, we were able to retrieve more cattle and we will continue to retrieve the rest of the animals stolen during various animal-rustling incidents in the Abyei area,” said Brig Gen Assefa Gebru Workneh, UNISFA Chief Liaison Officer for Abyei. UNISFA led the discussion between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka pastoralist groups with the aim of minimizing cattle-rustling activities which is one of the challenges facing communities in the Abyei area.
“We are grateful for the cooperation extended by both communities and for the commitment they have shown to help sustain peaceful co-existence of the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka in the Abyei area,” Brig Gen Assefa highlighted during the discussion.
On 26 June 2017, UNISFA facilitated the retrieval and handing-over of the 58 stolen herd of cattle to their owner Majej Tong Ngor, a Ngok Dinka pastoralist, on 26 June 2017 in Todach village.
The hand-over was attended by cattle owners and leaders of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya pastoralist groups from eastern, southern and central migration corridors who expressed their gratitude to UNISFA for the efforts in combatting cattle rustling activities in Abyei area.