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The Abyei crucible

As Southern Sudan celebrates, neighbouring Abyei is a war zone. Clashes began on 7 January between a Northern Missiriya militia and well trained Southern commandos wearing police uniforms. Fighting escalated for two days at a police post at Maker Abyior, a small Ngok Dinka village 15 kilometers north of Abyei town. By 9 January, as the world watched the Southern referendum, dozens of people had been killed on both sides. Both had heavy weaponry. Abyei town is locked down and security forces roam the countryside....

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The Abyei crucible

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