Sudan, South Sudan form Abyei status negotiating committees
October 6, 2022 (JUBA) – The leadership of Sudan and South Sudan have agreed to assemble a team to negotiate the final status of Abyei, raising hopes that such a move would defuse tension and allay frustrations of the natives strapped in uncertainty.
The committees is expected to carry out consultations and handle the negotiation.
South Sudan’s presidential adviser on national security affairs told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that the head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has agreed to bilateral discussions over the status of the disputed region.
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and his brother, Gen Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan are committed to addressing the issue of Abyei through bilateral cooperation. In this spirit, the president has now tasked me and the able people from Abyei with membership from South Sudanese to negotiate the final status of Abyei, and God willing the result will meet the aspirations of our people. We just need to build on the existing cooperation which has been created out of the cordial and friendlier relationship between the two leaders”, said Tut Gatluak Manime.
The East African Community Affairs minister, Deng Alor Kuol is the deputy chairperson of the committee while Foreign Affairs minister Mayiik Ayii is the rapporteur to be deputised by Madison Otormoi. Other members of the committee include, Asha Abbas Akuei, Nyanaguek Kuol Mareng, Augustino Jadalla Wani, Tor Deng Mawein, Akol Koor Kuc, Deng Arop Kuol, Deng Biong Mijak and Deng Deng Akuei.
The terms of reference for the committee include pursuing the final status of the Abyei Area through engagement with the government of Sudan. The community is expected to present the position of the government of South Sudan and Sudan and other partners both regional and international bodies. The order outlined the tasks of the committee. One of the first objectives is to pursue the final status of the Abyei Area through engagement with the Government of the Republic of Sudan and to present the position of the governments of Sudan and South Sudan, United Nations, African Union, including other multilateral partners by reflecting the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) 2005 and the other relevant resolutions on final status of Abyei.
Another role of the committee is to advise the Government of South Sudan on necessary steps towards the realization of the final status of the Abyei Area and report to the president periodically on the progress of the negotiations undertaken by the committee.
Manime said Sudan has a committee for negotiations with South Sudan over Abyei.
He expressed hopes the stalemate will be addressed if the moment of the current cooperation is maintained. South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 and the status of Abyei and boundary lines are some of the sticking points the two countries are to settle.
The delay in the settlement has caused frustrations among natives of the region, with some blaming President Kiir and his administration for inaction after conducting a community referendum in 2022. The South Sudanese leader prefers settlement of Abyei status through cooperation.
Since 2011, the status of the Abyei Area has remained a contentious issue between Sudan and South Sudan. Fighting between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Sudan Armed Forces in the Abyei Area escalated and resulted in the total destruction of Abyei town and surrounding villages.
(ST)