Misseriya, Dinka Ngok leaders call for peaceful-co-existence in Abyei

October 20, 2021 (ABYEI) – Two separate consultative conferences for Misseriya and Dinka Ngok traditional leaders successfully ended with calls for peaceful co-existence among these two rival communities.

The conference organized by the community liaison office of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei (UNISFA) took place in Diffra and Abyei from October 13-14 and 18 – 19, 2021 respectively.

UNISFA, in a statement, said the conferences aimed at providing a platform for dialogue towards building a more peaceful Abyei area.

“A joint conference for the traditional leaders of the two communities, aimed at generating concrete solutions to guarantee peace and security for Abyei communities is scheduled to take place soon,” partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune Wednesday.

Speaking at the official opening of the two conferences, the UNISFA Police Commissioner, Violet Nasambu Lusala said the three-pronged approach adopted this year is meant to forge a solid consensus within each community before reaching out to the other, with a strong commitment to agree on what is required to co-exist peacefully.

She, however, urged the traditional leaders to consider mainly matters that are relevant to their shared day-to-day life in the Abyei area.

Lusala who spoke on behalf of the Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Kefyalew Amde Tessema further urged the traditional leaders from the two communities to come up with good decisions and recommendations that would further strengthen co-existence and enhance the Abyei peace process.

She stressed that UNISFA would continue to play its part by implementing the mandate that was assigned by the Security Council with the agreement of the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the UNISFA Police Commissioner signed the communiqués on behalf of the acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, while the Misseriya Paramount Chief, Muktar Babo Nimir signed on behalf of the Misseriya community and the Ngok Dinka Paramount Chief, Bulabek Deng Kuol signed on behalf of the Ngok Dinka community.

(ST)