Abyei

As he returned from Lietnhom, Dut bought with him our first fresh fish of the season. Tied over the handle of the motorbikes and cooked on a fire on the floor, they made a perfect feast for all of us. Dut had gone towards the Toc pasturelands (and the fish) to get reports of security there. All was well and the militia have not raided again, although the armed, guarding youth are still on the highest alert.

But the news of the radio and websites is the news of Abyei:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13491445

Yesterday, the North captured this town from the South, putting this nearly new nation on a war footing. Here, in Luonyaker, it is the talk of the market but there is not fear in the air. The last time the North captured Abyei in 2008, our region felt no impact. The neighbouring counties received displaced people but no fear of war. Therefore, there is little anxiety that war will reach us here. But Dut was originally from Abyei, before he was orphaned and moved south. His wife and little boy joined him here recently. Tonight, over skype, he spoke to someone who had news of his family at home in Abyei. Three of his wife's relatives were killed yesterday. "Dead" was the scribbled title on the top of the notebook page and the names were listed below.

Pray for South Sudan.