Residents of the disputed Abyei region staged peaceful demonstrations on Tuesday, demanding accountability for a deadly drone strike on Amiet Market that killed at least 153 people.
Community leaders, civil society representatives, women and young people joined the protests, condemning the October 19 attack and calling for stronger international protection of civilians.
According to South Sudan’s Eye Radio, demonstrators submitted a petition to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), urging an investigation into the bombing and requesting that the incident be brought before the UN Security Council.
Local reports also described protesters gathering outside the UN peacekeeping mission’s offices.
The demonstrations followed one of the deadliest aerial attacks reported in the region during Sudan’s continuing war.
Abyei’s caretaker information minister, Yohana Akol Ngor, said at least 153 people had been killed when a drone struck the market and ignited a fuel depot. He warned that the death toll could rise as rescue workers continued recovering bodies.
South Sudanese authorities blamed Sudan’s military for the attack and summoned the Sudanese ambassador in Juba to lodge a diplomatic protest.
A senior Sudanese military officer, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, acknowledged that the army had conducted a drone strike against fuel tankers allegedly destined for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but denied deliberately targeting civilians.
The officer’s account of the victims and intended targets could not be independently verified.
The United Nations condemned the drone attacks around Amiet Market and nearby Todach, expressing concern over civilian deaths, injuries and damage to essential infrastructure.
Humanitarian organisations reported treating survivors suffering severe injuries and burns, while local authorities said thousands of people had fled the affected area.
Abyei remains disputed between Sudan and South Sudan, with UN peacekeepers deployed to help maintain security.
Tuesday’s demonstrations add to growing public demands for accountability as drone warfare increasingly threatens civilian communities across Sudan and its border regions.
