South Sudan declines participation in Abyei meetings

[Elisabeth Janaina]

South Sudan declines participation in Abyei meetings

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August 21, 2017 (JUBA/KHARTOUM) - South Sudanese government said on
Monday it declined to dispatch a team to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for an
African Union-brokered meeting on the disputed area of Abyei, citing
the lack of clear agenda.

JPEG - 20.4 kb
A man holds up his finger after voting in a referendum in Abyei on the
border of Sudan and South Sudan on October 28, 2013 (ALI
NGETHI/AFP/Getty Images)

The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) called on
the Sudanese and South Sudanese members of the Abyei Joint Oversight
Committee (AJOC) for a meeting on 16 August. Also, another meeting for
the traditional leaders from the Ngok-Dinka and Misseriya communities
had to take place on 17 August.

A delegation from the from the African Union, United Nations and the
UN Security Council was in Khartoum on 10 August to discuss the need
for an agreement on Abyei joint administration and the implementation
of the joint border patrols which should be supported by United
Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

However, the head of the Sudanese side of the Abyei Joint Oversight
Committee (AJOC) Hassan Ali Nimir Sunday disclosed the cancellation of
the meeting, saying that the South Sudanese side didn’t travel to the
meeting which had to take place in Addis Ababa.

Reached by Sudan Tribune to explain the position of his government
over the meeting, South Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol said
their delegation could not take part in the meeting because of
administrative and logistical issues.

"Our team could not travel because of few issues which needed to have
been sorted out first. They are administrative and logistical
matters," he said on Monday

"Also the agenda of the meeting required the inputs from both parties.
So there are now consultations between the parties through the African
Union High-Level Implementation Panel,” further said Minister Kuol who
is a native of the disputed area.

In Khartoum, Nimir said he was disappointed by the repeated absence of
the South Sudanese side from the Abyei meetings, saying: "We hope that
this is not the approach of the South Sudan committee because that
will not lead to cooperation with each other".

The Misseriya leading figure called on the South Sudanese side of AJOC
and the Ngok Dinka leadership to own the process and take their
decisions in an independent manner in order lay down the foundations
of peaceful coexistence in the contested areas.

The South Sudan appointed Abyei Chief Administrator Kuol Alor Kuol
told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview on Monday that the failure
of the parties to establish an administration in the area, define the
borders, and satisfy obligations related to security, the distribution
of wealth, delivery of basic services, and the return of internally
displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees was becoming a major concern. He
further stressed that the Ngok Dinka are more interested in a
referendum to determine the fate of the region.

“The concern now is that people are getting worried about the future
of the area and they are asking us the leaders about what the two
parties are doing, especially the conduct of the community referendum
which clearly reflected the will of the people. They overwhelmingly
voted in favour of returning to the South. This is in line with the
provision of the CPA (Comprehensive Peace Agreement), said Kuol who is
the AJOC co-chairman from the South Sudanese side.

"The international community should actually have recognized the
result. But now it seems that there is a serious perception of
disengagement by the international community on Abyei," said Kuol.

He was referring to a unilateral referendum organised the Ngok Dinka
community of Abyei in October 2013 without the participation of the
Misseriya community and without the support of Khartoum and Juba0
Also, the international community didn’t recognise the outcome of the
vote.

In a similar trend, Nyuol Paguot, the leader of one of the nine Ngok
chiefdoms, told Sudan Tribune on Monday that local people reject the
formation of joint administrative bodies in Abyei with the Sudanese
Misseriya, citing lack of common grounds and past previous
experiences.

“The African Union which has been handling the issue between the two
parties should not ignore the view of the people of Abyei. If they
really want the two countries to live in peace, they (The African
Union and the international community) should recognise the outcome of
the (unilateral) referendum,” said Paguot.

On 15 May, the 15-member body adopted resolution 2352, renewing the
mandate of UNISFA until 15 November and to warned that it would
withdraw its support for the joint border monitoring force if the two
countries continue to refuse the formation of the joint border
patrols.

The Sudanese side says ready for the implementation of the two
measures, pointing an accusing figure at the South Sudanese sides
saying they obstruct the joint administration and the implementation
of the security arrangements agreed in September 2012.

The failure of the parties to agree on who is a resident of the
disputed area and has the right the participate in the
self-determination vote has prevented the organisation of a referendum
on the permanent status of Abyei: remaining part of the Sudan or
joining The South Sudan.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the international community feels
that time is not opportune for a new initiative not only because of
the positions of the two parties but also because of the civil war in
the South Sudan.

The joint administration was seen as a temporary situation to ensure
security and provide the local population with the needed services.
However since the eruption of the South Sudanese crisis, many Ngok
Dinka issue Sudanese ID cards and go to the West Kordofan schools and
hospitals.

(ST)

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Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

21 August 21:23, by Kush Natives

I don’t think Khartoum has got a brain to thought thing out! Hey
would they bother South Sudan government? Abyei did voted in the past
inline with the CPA1, yet their right was disowned by the very regime
in Khartoum. The question now is that, what’s up with Khartoum now? Is
there’s anything else behind the motive?

repondre message
22 August 03:35, by john akeen

Abyei-Kafia Kingi-llemi Triangle and Panthou those territories are
belongs to South Sudanese stats. Ethiopians they have agreed that
llemi Triangle is South Sudanese territory,but Kenyans wants to claim
it as theirs, anyways we have a witness on llemi Triangle, what about
Abyei-Kafia Kingi and Panthou, do we have witness on those stats?
Abyei people they made it clear to the world>>

repondre message
22 August 04:03, by john akeen

by saying that they are South Sudanese, by vote, by talk, by
culture, or even by anything, they are South Sudanese people and ABYEI
STATE IT’S THEIR STATE. "Now" we are not ready to talk a serious talk
about those areas yet, because we are talking on how to bring peace
among ourselves,plus we have brothers and sisters in our country that
who are lost in the bushes, after that, we will come back

repondre message
22 August 04:26, by john akeen

to talk about our brothers that we have left behind, on
the talk day, we and yall can speak any language, anyway my last word
to you is to respect our brothers votes. Free Abyei now not later, and
also Kafia Kingi and Panthou must be free too

repondre message
22 August 07:03, by Kuch

"plus we have brothers and sisters in our country that who
are lost in the bushes, after that, we will come back"
Mr.John Akeen,
you put a smile on my face with that line of yours
brother. Indeed, we have some of our brothers still lost in our South
Sudan’s jungle but will come back out & join their brothers & sisters
some of these days>>>

repondre message
22 August 07:11, by Kuch

now that their Riek Machar sociopath aimless armed
rebellion has been squashed. Mr. Akeen, you know the popular saying
that says "a divided house cannot stand"? Mr. John Akeen, we have not
got rid of our so-called cloned arabs of North Sudan on our backs
brother. Our cloned so-called arabs of North Sudan have wedged their
evil roots into our country & they have a lot support from the UK, the
UK>>>

repondre message
22 August 07:31, by Kuch

the US, their gulf Arab states & some criminals in
the UN than us Mr. John Akeen. "Divide & conquer" is what is being
used by our enemies some of these days brother. Who says all the white
people like black people? Some of our *Nuers, Shilluks & some
Equatorians* were used by these cloned so-called arabs of North Sudan
to bully the SPLA during our genuine war of independence & again>>>

repondre message
22 August 07:45, by Kuch

the same South Sudanese who were used by our
cloned so-called arabs of North Sudan to almost destroy our country
through their Riek Machar, Lam Akol, Pagan Amuom, Thomas Cirilo or
Majak Agoot; with their regime change business of the government of
South Sudan. But when their damn *regime change business was
frustrated*, then their foreign backers; the US, the UK, their UN,
their sleazy NGOs>>>

repondre message
22 August 08:29, by Kuch

their evil juus & some of their evil
creeps in between went for their damned *UN, their sleazy NGOs,
humanitarian aid, donations, peacekeeping & their human rights
business scams* as their *regime change business part two* of the
government of South Sudan. And this is why we continue to see the evil
corporate America, the UK, their UN, their sleazy NGOs & some of their
creeps continue to play>>>

repondre message
22 August 08:41, by Kuch

games with our people & our country.
Mr. John Akeen, l always post on this SUDANTRIBUNE website that *our
country & people* have been taken hostage by the greatest evils on
earth; *the evil corporate America, the UK, the UN, their sleazy NGOs,
their evil juus & some of their in between* as their Geo-political
chess game because we have are considered to be the most foolish
people in Africa who>>>

repondre message
22 August 08:41, by Kuch

games with our people & our country.
Mr. John Akeen, l always post on this SUDANTRIBUNE website that *our
country & people* have been taken hostage by the greatest evils on
earth; *the evil corporate America, the UK, the UN, their sleazy NGOs,
their evil juus & some of their in between* as their Geo-political
chess game because we have are considered to be the most foolish
people in Africa who>>>

repondre message
22 August 09:40, by Kuch

still worship the evil corporate
America, English people, their UN, their sleazy NGOs & some of their
creeps in between in our country. And this is why the fools like
*Garang Ghost* keeps posting their* polemic comments* on this SUDAN
TRIBUNE *web site* that South Sudanese are "primitive & backward and
that our country can be ruled by the UN, NGOs & African Union (UN)>>>

repondre message
22 August 16:01, by jubaone

Kuch,
Your repetitive and boring
arguments wont help jienge Abyei in attaining their goal of being part
of SS. Kiirminal has already disowned them by not recognizing the 2012
Abyei Rwfendum. Kiirminal and Bashir already made a deal to take
Abyei. If you wish, mobilize your nyors to liberate Abyei cos no help
from Equatorians or Nuers. Sorry man 😆

repondre message
22 August 07:26, by lou nuer

Kush and John
Don’t you have any things to do else everything appear on media
your comments more than anyone else? Do you think you’re more perfect
than other posters or you were assigned to do so? Nevertheless, even
anything that doesn’t concern Dr.Machar you feel ok unless you
mentioned his name. Forget Riek Machar look a head of you what will
happen. Riek himself is nothing but our agemates.

repondre message
22 August 07:50, by Lenin Bull

Big thank you to South Sudan Government for being wise and avoid
being trapped by Sudan and their friends in AUHIP, UN and IGAD. Sudan
and their backers are panicking now that their collaborators in South
Sudan are being crashed militarily and will collapse soon which will
deny them fifth column/saboteurs inside South Sudan. This Abyei talks
now is a bait for a war between Sudan and South Sudan.

repondre message
22 August 07:56, by Lenin Bull

Sudan, UN, AUHIP, and IGAD are aware that the current mindless
barbaric war waged by Riek against South Sudan has destroyed or
weakened South Sudan economy, killed many South Sudanese soldiers and
citizens and made many South Sudanese to flee to neighboring countries
for refuge and many of donor countries are further sabotaging South
Sudan by denying financial assistance and military sanction.

repondre message
22 August 08:06, by Lenin Bull

This Abyei talks is a bait to provoke war between the Sudan and
South Sudan. They will rush to close the remaining running oil
pipeline from Paloich to starve South Sudan of money, use SPLA-IO
fifth columnists, NDM/Lam Akol, resurrect and resuscitate Riek, etc.
South Sudan should completely finish Riek and all rebellion inside
South Sudan first to give a safe rear and then begin to engage Sudan.

repondre message
22 August 08:15, by Lenin Bull

South Sudan will then engage Sudan on Abyei talks on its own
timing and terms and with no traitors inside its territory. Sudan will
then have no option but to accept South Sudan positions and terms on
Abyei because war will not be in it favor. UN wants South Sudan
government to collapse through endless rebellion and war so that UN is
given trusteeship over South Sudan period!!

repondre message
22 August 09:01, by gatkhor Nueri

People of Abyei no more talk Mr.salva Kiir sell out your land to
Arab.from now onward you are not S.sudanese people you are foreigner
here in s.sudan.
the nuer could never do that to sellout the Land out only Dinka
can plan to give the land to the arab. hopeless people all over the
world.

Abyei ci dong wei no more talk.