Residents of the disputed area of Abyei Abyei have called on the United Nations to increase the number of the UN troops in the area so that they can cover all the areas based on the border recognized by the International Criminal Court.

Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously agreed to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until November 15. UNISFA currently has 4,200 troops in Abyei.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, several local residents welcomed the extension of UNISFA’s mandate but called for additional troops that would be able to provide protection to all civilians against armed groups in the area.

They further said that more troops are needed especially during the rainy season when UNISFA troops pull out of villages far away, making them vulnerable to attacks.

Sudan and South Sudan are disputing the oil-rich Abyei, an area inhabited by Sudan's Arab Misseryia tribe and South Sudan's Ngok Dinka tribe.