Violent clashes in Abyei in Sudan have forced an international medical charity to suspend its primary health care operations in the region and have prompted aid warnings from the United States and other donors.
Medecins Sans Frontieres has stopped its primary health care work in the region and put staff members on standby to assist people who have fled the violence and possible causalities wounded in the attack, according to Sudan Tribune. MSF teams are currently stationed in the nearby town of Agok, the newspaper says, citing Valerie Babize, the organization’s field communications adviser.
The Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, took control of Abyei on Saturday (May 21) following days of clashes with the Sudan’s People Liberation Army, which is the main Southern Sudanese rebel movement.
Princeton Lyman, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan, has warned the Sudanese government that SAF’s actions are putting at risk the possible cancellation of Sudan’s $38 billion debt, which the Obama administration is negotiating with the World Bank, BCC reports.
Read more development aid news.
