Alor warns Abyei citizens against compromising identity for personal benefits

By Ngor Agout

November 30, 2009 (MALAKAL) — Deng Alor Kuol, the Sudanese foreign minister and leading member in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), warned citizens of his native home area of Abyei against compromising identity for personal benefits.

Alor who represents Abyei in the SPLM as prominent and influential figure in the region affairs, said anyone who represents Abyei in any given political parties, can play politics on various issues which matches interest of that particular party, but should not make mistake that may lead into compromising identity for personal interests.

“There are instances individuals find themselves regretting after used against their own identity,” he said reiterating that do not “make a mistake that forced you to forget who you are.”

The minister who did not want to point blaming finger to specific people, further said, there are “certain people who seems to be forgetting even their being sons and daughters simply because their interests identify with interests of their political parties.”

“Although people support different games just as it is normal to find a father and a son supporting different matches albeit being the same family members, we should make no mistake that denies our identity, after all, home is home,” he said.

Commenting on United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) performances in the area, the Sudanese minister said reports about the action of the mission in Abyei are encouraging.

“Reports about UNMIS in collaboration with UN agencies on developmental projects particularly quick recovery plans and programs are outstanding,” he said, adding that local people always go to him appreciating work being done by UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, and other agencies in the area.

However, he also requested UNMIS to increase supports to local administration under Brigadier General Arop Mayak Monytoc. “Abyei needs supports in areas of priorities such as training for joint Integrated Units, both Police and army and other training in recovery plans and programs,” he stressed.

In May 2008, the Sudanese Armed Force Brigade 31 clashed with forces belonging to Sudan People’s Liberation Army in the town resulting into the killing of over 100 and sent more than 50,000 fleeing farther South as internal displaced persons.

With UNMIS presence in the town, the warring parties were immediately separated and tension was quickly defused resulting into signing of the Abyei road map in June 2008.

The agreement facilitated return of calm to the region and paved way for dialogue between National Congress Party (NCP) and SPLM leaderships. The talks subsequently resulted to decision of the international arbitration court on Abyei in July 2009 currently being implemented

The official who paid hours visit to the town today on Monday 30 also called on local chiefs to expedite registration for return of IDPS in most parts of Northern Sudan.

Commenting on his visit, Miyen Kuol, an official from Abyei administration and who is the team leader of voter registration of Abyei center, said, the minister’s visit was neither official nor private because he came to register in his locality.

(ST)