The government has shown commitment in resolving the perennial conflict that has been biting the oil-rich region of Abyei, thanks to a deadlock between Sudan and South Sudan.
On May 24, Monday evening, President Salva Kiir constituted a 10-member committee led by Presidential Security Advisor Tut Gatluak, and deputised by the Minster of East Africa Affairs Deng Alor Kuol, to initiate dialogue on the final status of Abyei.
The authorities of the disputed region commended President Kiir for initiating the body to engage neighbouring Sudan in talks to resolve the long awaited solution to the problem affecting residents in the area.
Speaking to the City Review on Thursday May 27, from Abyei, the Deputy Administrator of Abyei Administrative Area (AAA Kon Manyiel,) welcomed the committee but said Abyei’s issue was obvious that needed no more negotiation but implementation.
“We thank the president for forming the committee for final resolution of Abyei issue. We trust the committee will resolve the issue. We believe that there’s no new negation on the status of Abyei, but to find the way of implementation of the CPA and 2013 Abyei referendum’s result,” said Manyiel.
Deadly attack
The move by the president came a few days following deadly attack in the area by suspected Mesiriya nomads, claiming 12 lives and leaving dozens of people wounded in the latest in series of protracted conflict after Sudan and South Sudan appointed a leader each to rule Abyei.
The contentious oil-rich region was placed as self-autonomy in 2005 when parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) failed to reach consensus over the area pending referendum to determine where the region belongs to.
In 2013, Ngok Dinka community held referendum with over 99 per cent voted to be part of South Sudan, but neither South Sudan nor Sudan recognised the outcome. Manyiel blamed the government of South Sudan for the silence.
“South Sudan should have been the first to recognise Abyei referendum result and may get support from the international community,” said Manyiel.
The Abyei Oversight Committee was yet to resolve the matter despite several unsuccessful attempts.
The United Nations Peacekeeping Missions has conducted several peace conferences to engage the rival communities of Ngok Danka and Meseriya but could yield only temporal impact with the two communities resorting back to hostility.
On May 15, the United Nations Security Council extended UNSFA mandate in Abyei amidst protracted conflict between the two rival communities.
“Abyei region is known that it was a part of greater Bahr el Ghazal region and transferred to Southern Kordofan in 1901. We have no problem with the presence of Meseriya and Nuer cattle keepers living in the area.
“We believe that the committee will quickly resolve the issue, Abyei’s border is demarcate so that peace is achieved in the area,” said Manyiel.
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