Last updated: 23 may, 2011 - 15:11 GMT

Burning and looting in the disputed Sudanese town of Abyei

Media Player

To play this content JavaScript must be turned on and the latest Flash player installed.

Latest Flash player available here

Play alternative media format

A handout picture released by the US monitoring group Enough Project shows Sudanese people fleeing the disputed oil-rich Abyei area on March 2, 2011 TIM FRECCIA/AFP/Getty Images

Gunmen are burning and looting property in the disputed Sudanese town of Abyei according to the United Nations.

Abyei lies on the border between north and South Sudan and exactly which country it ends up in, come southern independence in July, is still unclear.

The town was captured by northern troops over the weekend.

There are concerns that fighting there could lead to a broader conflict.

BBC Focus on Africa's Peter Okwoche asked Kouider Zerrouk, spokesman for the UN mission in Sudan about the situation.

Listen Live

From BBC World Service Africa

Most Popular Now


  1. Focus on Africa
  2. What it's all about
  3. BBC World Service Widget
  4. Network Africa
  5. Chile earthquake: air bridge to fly aid from Santiago to...

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.