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U.S. special envoy meets Dinka and Misseriya delegations in Ethiopia

October 6, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The U.S. special envoy to Sudan Scott Gration met on Wednesday with delegations of the Misseriya and Dinka Ngok tribes separately on the sidelines of talks taking place in Addis Ababa between the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM) that is focused on Abyei, according to state media.

U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration (Reuters)
U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration (Reuters)
Residents of the contested region, where deadly clashes broke out in May 2008 leaving tens of thousands homeless, are due to vote on January 9 on whether they want to be part of north or south Sudan.

A simultaneous referendum is planned that will give southerners the chance to opt for independence or to remain part of a united Sudan.

The votes are a key plank of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended a decades-long civil war between the Arab-dominated north and the ethnically black south, many of whose inhabitants are Christian or follow traditional beliefs.

The SPLM & NCP failed to resolve their disagreement over the composition of Abyei’s electoral commission and the demarcation of the borders have yet to start. On Monday, the Sudanese Vice president Ali Osman Taha expressed doubt that the Abyei referendum can be held on time saying many issues need to be resolved first.

The U.S. sponsored talks appeared to have ran into major difficulties particularly on the issue of whether the Arab Misseriya tribe members should be allowed to take part in the referendum.

The NCP wants to ensure that the cattle-herding Misseriya tribe will have the right to vote in the referendum. The SPLM however, says that according to the 2008 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which redefined the Abyei borders, the Misseriya have no right to vote in areas assigned to the Dinka Ngok by the tribunal.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted informed sources as saying that the Dinka Ngok and the SPLM rejected a U.S. proposal stating that the Misseriya are to be given a portion of the oil produced in Abyei and be allowed to use pastures south of the January 1 1956 borders, in the event that the South Sudan referendum results in the creation of a new state.

The Misseriya vowed last week not to allow the vote to take place even if they have to resort to force unless they are allowed to participate.

The sources speaking to SUNA said that the Misseriya insisted on their full rights in Abyei, including the right to vote in the referendum, as well as power and wealth sharing.

(ST)

5 Comments

  • DASODIKO
    DASODIKO

    U.S. special envoy meets Dinka and Misseriya delegations in Ethiopia
    Oooh,again Scot Gration this cold talk guy? He is jinks, anywhere he insert his ass the things go wrong. Please send him to Kenya, his job is waiting for him; or may be the Kenyan also refused him. Now Gration whom you want to give Cookies and smile this time? Messerria or Dinka

    Reply
  • Mr Point
    Mr Point

    U.S. special envoy meets Dinka and Misseriya delegations in Ethiopia
    The Abyei issues are settled by the Abyei protocol signed by the government of Sudan in 2004 and the award by the PCA (permanent court of arbitration) in 2009.

    Actually the government of Sudan did nothing about their agreed written commitments over six years. Now they claim non-existent rights for armed nomads.

    Firstly GOS should disarm and neutralise the Misseriya.

    Secondly the SPLM should press for full payment of all the oil monies that are in default since 2005.

    Thirdly the SPLM shold press for compensation in default of full implementation of all the Abyei protocol. It’s money that comes from southern oil anyway.

    Reply
  • Manyieldit
    Manyieldit

    U.S. special envoy meets Dinka and Misseriya delegations in Ethiopia
    Gration again!! what a mess is this?
    This hopeless man is bribed by Arab and e only looking for money not justice and peace. he is always been an enemy of the South despite been an American. The world and American Government should be told clearly that we the people of South Sudan do not need Mr. Gration he is a true betrayer and a real enemy of the peace.

    Go Go GoGoooooooooooo away Gration we are tired of you leave us alone

    Manyieldit

    Reply
  • Angelo Achuil
    Angelo Achuil

    U.S. special envoy meets Dinka and Misseriya delegations in Ethiopia
    I don’t know if Scott ever visited Abyei – it would help to visit and learn about the history civilians who live there. The nomads wants to impose themselves there by force.

    Reply
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