Warrap governor, Abyei leaders regret Ngok-Twic clashes over land dispute
February 13, 2022 (JUBA) -The governor of South Sudan’s Warrap state and leaders of the contested region of Abyei have regretted a clash in which more than 33 lives have been lost and several others wounded in a conflict over a territorial claim.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Aleu Ayieng Aleu said that a conflict pitting members of Twic County in Warrap and a section of the Abyei community clashed over a territorial claim, causing destruction of properties and displacement of people.
“It is with great regret, sadness, and disbelief that the sisterly communities of Abyei and Twic have escalated their grievances over Agok/Anet town and the disputed borders to bloody clashes that have continued from February the 10th to February 11, 2022, reads a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.
Governor Aleu offered condolences to the affected families on both sides and appealed to the two communities to deescalate the conflict.
He warned that people with different agendas would use it as an opportunity to advance their cause and agenda.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my condemnation to this conflict and the enemies of peace on both sides and warn external forces who would exploit this situation to further their sinister agenda on the destruction of the an independent republic of South Sudan”, warned Aleu.
The Abyei chief administrator, Kuol Deim Kuol condemned the unnecessary fight that claimed costed lives.
“The Aneet incident is a shame to all of us because we never expected it. The people we lost are South Sudanese brothers and sisters. Our eyes are always on our enemies and not ourselves. So, this issue will be addressed to come to an end”, said Kuol.
For his part, former Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Luka Biong Deng Kuol expressed regrets at how the dispute graduated into a deadly conflict.
Biong said he had always known his Ngok and Twic Community were one, having been united by a common cause during the war of liberation.
“We are just one community by blood. I again plead to each member of our two communities that the incident should not divide us, but it should encourage us to even strengthen our personal and communal relations to work together to bring culprits to book”, said Biong in a statement on Sunday.
Deng Alor Kuol, a minister of East Africa Affairs in South Sudan and a prominent leader of the Abyei community said he was shocked that the incident escalated beyond comprehension.
Deng said the incident exposed the level of accumulated grievances that were waiting for a spark. He said it was time the leaders from both sides come together to dialogue the way forward and resolve it.
(ST)