At least 32 people were killed today, Wednesday, in a suspected attack by Sudanese shepherds in the disputed oil region of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan, according to a local official.
"32 people were killed, including women and children, and 24 wounded and 15 others, including children, were kidnapped," Abyei Kual Alor Koal, an official in Abyei, told Agence France Press, noting that "20 houses" had been "burned".
It was not immediately clear if all of the dead were burning in the homes. Cole said others were wounded in the attack before the attackers withdrew.
He continued, "The situation is calm now and the population has all returned, and they are now preparing mass graves for the victims."
He said that the attackers were most likely aiming to move people out of the remote area in order to enhance their access to pastures and resources.