Payne and Capuano Condemn Brutal Attacks in Abyei, Sudan

Over the past two weeks, the people of Abyei, one of the marginalized areas of Sudan, have been under attack by the brutal and criminal elements of the National Congress Party forces. An estimated 106,000 people have been displaced, according to Abyei region officials.

Many of the displaced are children -- a number of them separated from their families -- as well as women, and the elderly. Unfortunately, these civilians are hungry and sick, and many of them are likely to die without quick and massive intervention to assist and end the violence.

Abyei town was burned to the ground on May 16, 2008, as witnessed and documented by a delegation consisting of two Americans and several Government of South Sudan officials. The deliberate, brutal, and systematic attacks against innocent civilians in Abyei and the surrounding communities has one principal objective: to permanently displace the civilian population.

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