In a series of brutal attacks in Abiye, a disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan, armed militias and soldiers wearing South Sudanese army uniforms have claimed the lives of 32 people, including women, children, and a peacekeeper, local officials confirmed.

The attacks took place on Sunday in two counties within Abiye, an oil-rich territory on the border between the two countries. The government representative from Abiye strongly condemned the violence and called for immediate action.

Bulis Koch Aguar Ajith, Minister of Information for Abiye and South Sudanese spokesman for the region, revealed in a statement that the attacks resulted in the loss of 32 lives, including innocent children and women who were burned to death in their huts. Over 20 people also sustained injuries during the onslaught.

Tragically, one soldier from the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abye (UNIFSA) was killed, and another was wounded in the attacks. Further details about the circumstances surrounding their deaths were not provided.

South Sudan has demanded an urgent investigation into these barbaric acts targeting civilians. The Abiye region, located between Sudan and South Sudan, has been a source of tension since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.

Earlier this month, a UN regional envoy expressed grave concerns that the ongoing conflicts between rival factions vying for power in Sudan were inching closer to the border with South Sudan and Abiye. This escalation of violence poses a severe risk of further destabilizing the fragile region.

Additionally, the crisis in Sudan has effectively halted talks between the two countries regarding the disputed territory, leaving negotiations suspended. Hanna Tetteh, the UN's special envoy for the Horn of Africa, highlighted the precariousness of the situation, emphasizing that the proximity of the fighting to Abiye exacerbates an already volatile environment.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to extend the long-standing peacekeeping mission in Abiye, which currently consists of 4,000 troops. This decision was made in light of the escalating violence and the need for immediate intervention to protect the lives and security of the region's inhabitants.

Efforts to bring stability and peace to Abiye remain of utmost importance as the death toll continues to rise. The international community must unite in condemning these attacks and support the necessary investigations to ensure justice is served for the victims and their families.