(BALIENT COUNTY, UPPER NILE) – At least 57 people were killed and 65 others injured this Friday in an armed attack on residents of Adong Payam, Baliet County, in the Upper Nile State of South Sudan.
Local commissioner Joseph Deng told media that a group of armed men crossed from neighbouring Ulang and Nasir counties and launched the attack shortly after 5:30 am (local time).
“The situation is tragic. We continue to search for missing persons,” Commissioner Deng said, adding that more than 5,300 head of cattle were stolen during the raid, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Security forces had been on alert in recent weeks, but the timing and scale of the attack overwhelmed local protection measures.
The incident comes as the UN Security Council renewed the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Unisfa) for another year, despite abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia. The resolution, authored by the United States, passed with 12 votes in favour and extends Unisfa operations until 15 November 2026.
The mandate also includes continued support for the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, established in 2011 to oversee activities along the Sudan–South Sudan border. Abyei remains a disputed and often volatile area, with frequent clashes despite thousands of peacekeepers stationed in the region.
Joint Border Monitoring to Continue Until 2026
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Location | Adong Payam, Baliet County, Upper Nile State |
| Fatalities | 57 |
| Injured | 65 |
| Cattle Stolen | 5,300 |
| Attack Time | Around 5:30 am local time |
| Suspected Origin of Attackers | Ulang and Nasir counties |
| Security Forces Status | On alert but overwhelmed |
| UN Security Council Vote | 12 in favour, 3 abstentions (China, Pakistan, Russia) |
| Unisfa Mandate Extended Until | 15 November 2026 |
| Border Monitoring Support | Continued for Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism |