South Sudan’s VP, UNISFA leadership hold talks in Abyei
March 30, 2022 (JUBA)- South Sudan’s Vice President for services cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol on Wednesday met and held talks with the leadership of the United Nations interim security force in Abyei (UNISFA).
Akol, who heads the fact-finding investigation committee formed by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, has been in Twic of Warrap State and Abyei areas to carry out a fact-finding investigation to establish the cause behind recent tensions which culminated into violent clashes in the Anet area.
The clashes claimed more than 32 lives, destroyed properties and displaced more than 100,000 family members from their original places.
The conflict also resulted in a dire humanitarian situation in the area.
During the meeting, Akol commended the peacekeepers’ role in the crisis situation, reiterating his government’s commitment to peaceful dialogue.
He appealed to all the parties involved settle their disputes peacefully.
“We have ended our discussion with the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei on a positive note. The talks centered on their peacekeeping mission and concerns over the violent communal conflict between Twic and Ngok Dinka. We exchanged views on how to tackle insecurity in Anet,” said Akol.
The Vice President said separate meetings were held with women in Abyei to gather their views on how best the conflict could be amicably resolved.
“Just concluded our meeting with Abyei women in Anet who welcomed and appreciated the process of dialogue and reconciliation between Twic and Ngok Dinka, with a call for justice that we promised to do,” said Akol.
He added, “As a committee, we have applauded and appreciated bilateral dialogue between Twic and Ngok Dinka to allow them to address historical tensions, grievances, misconceptions, and reset relationships”.
Akol stressed the importance of dialogue between the two communities
He further explained, “So, we thought of reconciling the two communities at the early stage to pave way for resuming their living together towards economic growth as we prepare the preliminary results of our investigation”.
At least 16 people were killed and hundreds displaced following a recent conflict between the communities of Twic county in Warrap with their neighbours in Abyei.
(ST)