Four United Nations peacekeepers in Sudan from the Zambia Army have been wounded after their patrol was attacked.
This was in the oil rich region of Abyei region along the north-south border.
One of the four peacekeepers is reportedly in critical condition.
Reports reaching Zambia indicate that Kouider Zerrouk, a spokesperson for the UN Mission in Sudan confirmed that unidentified assailants shot and wounded four United Nations peacekeepers while they were on patrol in the disputed Abyei area of Sudan on Tuesday.
The mission has disclosed that the four blue helmets, all from Zambia, were shot around 4:40 p.m. as they returned from a regular patrol to the north of the town of Abyei.
Abyei is disputed by the Dinka Ngok, a southern ethnic group who are the permanent residents of the region, and the Misseriya, northern nomads who spend part of every year there seeking pastures for their cattle.
On Sunday the north and south agreed to remove any unauthorized troops from Abyei, claimed by both sides, which was seen as a positive development. However, Since January there have been a series of bloody clashes between the groups.
They have accused each other of using security forces in the fighting, and of a build-up of troops near Abyei.
Last month, President Omar al-Bashir threatened not to recognise the new state if it tried to claim Abyei.
The Abyei region was meant to have its own referendum on whether to join the north or the south in January, but agreement could not be reached on whether the Misseriya could vote.
