UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned the deadly violence over the weekend in the disputed Abyei Administrative Area, in which two peacekeepers and numerous civilians were killed, his spokesman said.

"He condemns the violence and attacks against the peacekeeping force and calls on the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to swiftly investigate the attacks, with the assistance of the peacekeeping force, known as UNISFA, and to bring the perpetrators to justice," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman. "He reminds all parties that attacks on UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes."

Dujarric said Guterres conveys his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased peacekeepers from Ghana and Pakistan, the Abyei civilians and to the governments and people of Ghana and Pakistan.

Officials in Juba, South Sudan, confirmed on Sunday at least 42 deaths from clashes on Saturday between armed youth of the Twic community and Ngok Dinka.

Rou Manyiel Rou, the secretary general of Abyei Special Administrative Area, said attacks in Nyinkuac, Majbong, and Khadian areas by armed youth from the Twic community and youth loyal to their spiritual leader Gai Machiek also left 35 people wounded.

Simon Aguek Chan, the commissioner of Twic County of Warrap state, said their youth were not involved in the violence in the Abyei Administrative Area. Aguek said that the fighting was between armed Nuer youth staying within Abyei and the local Ngok Dinka youth.

(Cover: The Gorom refugee settlement in Juba, South Sudan, January 26, 2024. /CFP)