Rhino: Follow-up – The United Nations strongly condemned the attacks on processions that targeted the Abyei region on October 19, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians, including women and children, near the markets of Amiet and Todash, and injuring others.

Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement that the death toll is likely to rise as the United Nations Interim Security Force (UNISFA) continues its verification efforts, given that some people are still missing. He confirmed that the mission has deployed medical personnel and response teams to provide treatment, support evacuations, and contain fires.

He stressed that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure is prohibited under international law, reminding the parties of their humanitarian obligations and the need to ensure accountability, and calling on the governments of Sudan and South Sudan to prevent a recurrence of such attacks and to maintain the disarmament status quo in the region.