Sudan’s Kiir invites Dinka Ngok and Misseriya leaders to Juba
By Ngor Arol Garang
July 31, 2009 (ABYEI) — The First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the semi autonomous region of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has, invited leaders from both Dinka Ngok and Misseriya tribes to Juba for briefing on Abyei ruling.
The Abyei arbitration court redefined on July 22 the border of the nine Dinka Ngok chiefdoms made by Abyei Boundary Commission and stated that the Heglig oil fields are located in southern Kordofan.
“Some groups in the South as well as in the North are not happy with the decision of the Court,” said Salva Kiir in a speech delivered on the occasion of Martyrs Day in Juba on July 30. “This is normal. Court decisions are not always accepted by all the sides to any litigation,” he stressed.
“Because of all flying allegations in the media soon after the court issued its decision, I invite the leaders of Missiriyya and the Dinka Ngok to come to Juba for a meeting to thrash out their fears and misgivings on this historic decision,” he said.
Kiir further added that the survival and livelihood interests of Misseriyia are better secured and protected in Southern Sudan than in any other parts of Sudan. “We are serious and sincere in what our promise to Misseriyia and we urge them to clearly see their future interests and not to allow themselves be blackmailed again,” he added.
The First Vice-President said that some entertain an idea that the demarcation of the Abyei boundaries excludes the Messiriyia people and the other nomads from accessing water and pastures in Abyei area.
“I say here and now that this is not the case. The Messiriyia and other nomads are Sudanese citizens and enjoy the grazing rights and freedom of movement not only in Abyei area but also in Southern Sudan.”
He also underlined that those rights have not changed and will not be changed even “if people of Abyei area decide to join Southern Sudan and Southern Sudan decides to vote for secession.”
South Kordofan Misseriya accused Khartoum government of betraying them for the sake of oil, saying that it cannot be a substitute to the pastures, water and the land owned by the Dinka Ngok. However, they reaffirmed their commitment to abide by the arbitration ruling.
Some of them further said they would join southern Sudan when the 2011 referendum takes place.
(ST)