South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
May 8, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – South Sudan has pledged to strike claims to Abyei region off its draft constitution, an African Union-mandated panel announced on Sunday, as north and south Sudan together with the UN reached an agreement on a timeframe to withdraw all unauthorized forces from the hotly-contested region.
Following a meeting with Sudan’s second Vice-President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha in Khartoum yesterday, the member of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan (AUHIP) and former president of Burundi Pierre Buyoya told reporters that they had conveyed to Taha the pledges the panel had received from the Government of South Sudan not to take any unilateral measures regarding Abyei and drop claims to the region’s ownership from the south’s draft constitution.
Meanwhile, the Abyei Joint Technical Committee (AJTC), which was established on 13 April to oversee the implementation of the UN-moderated Kadugli Agreements signed between the parties to Abyei conflict, on Sunday held its first meeting in Kadugli town.
According to a press release by the United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), whose Force Commander Major General Moses Bisong Obi chairs the ATJC, the meeting had reached an agreement to withdraw all unauthorized forces from Abyei and beef up the deployment of the Joint Integrated Units (JIU), a CPA mechanism comprising even number of troops from north and south Sudan armies, in Abyei.
UNMIS further said that the withdrawal and deployment process had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday 10 May and be completed by 17 May. The AJTC is due to visit Abyei region today’s morning to assess the situation on the ground.
“I believe there has been a commitment from the parties and that has been reflected in the way the meeting went today,” Maj. Gen Obi said after the meeting. “There was good will from both sides and we hope to follow-up on this spirit,” he added.
UNMIS also said that the meeting had agreed that north and south Sudan would create conducive environment by de-escalating tensions and speaking to their respective communities on the ground regarding the implementation of the Kadugli Agreements, and ensuring freedom of access for UNMIS.
In a related context, the international guarantors of Sudan’s 2005 peace deal, which ended decades of civil war between the north and the south, have announced arrangements to hold emergency meetings bringing the sides of Abyei dispute together as well as the AU panel in Washington and Addis Ababa.
In a press conference in Khartoum on Sunday, the administrator the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Rajiv Shah, said that his country beside Norway and UK would convene a meeting during November in Washington to reach a settlement to Abyei issue.
Also on Abyei, the International Crisis Group on Sunday rang the alarm bell over the situation in the region.
In a conflict risk alert entitled “Sudan: Abyei at a Dangerous Tipping Point,” the Brussels-based think tank warned that dangerous tensions both on the ground and between the leaders of the National Congress Party (NCP) in North Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the south may lead to escalation of violent confrontation ahead of the south’s formal independence in July.
The ICG report noted that north and south Sudan armies have deployed forces in and around Abyei in breach of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and subsequent security arrangements.
“Further escalation and additional tit-for-tat deployments risk pushing Abyei beyond the tipping point, endangering lives and the fragile peace in Sudan,” the ICG warned.
The ICG put forward a raft of recommendations including emphasis on the withdrawal of unauthorized forces from Abyei and allowing UNMIS “unfettered access” to verify withdrawals.
“The danger of new conflict is real. Failure to halt the downward trend toward violence in Abyei could unravel the tenuous peace that has been strong enough to get through the Southern Sudan referendum, but it could also intensify proxy war in other parts of Sudan, which will continue to feed the adversarial North-South relationship that both sides have so well accommodated over the course of the CPA period,” ICG said.
The latest instance of violence in Abyei, where clashes recently escalated due to the onset of the migration season, occurred on mid-February when ten people were killed and several others sustained injuries as a result of violent confrontations between the Arab-nomadic Misseriya tribe and local police from south Sudan.
(ST)
Angelo Ajiech Manyuat
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
SPLM shouldn’t back down or drop Abyei from their Draft constitution whatsoever. They must do everything they can in order to maintain Abyei regardless of the (NCP) northern threat.
Sala Gai
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Dear SPLM
It’s the time whereby the citizen of the South Sudan will never agree with them when the drop Abyei from the claim of NCP, Let go a head with our emotion to promote integrity to all people of South Sudan SPLM.
Why do we fear when NCP need war because of Abyei issue ,we shouldn’t while our army is ready for any thing.
Makuei
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
It’s always South Sudan to back down on things. The North Sudan sent away our ministers from Khartoum before July 9th, 2011 and gave us all the bad names they could call us, send Misserya tribe and other militias of Gadet & etc to burn down our Southern villages and we keep quiet. Now Khartoum wanted to tear our National constitution apart!!
We must not give in for this one.
Wal P Muoranyar Biet
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Wow! My eyes can’t believe what I’m reading! Was Abyei inclusion into the constitution due to the presence of illegal arm forces on that soil, or was it because it belong to South Sudan!
Some body needs to have a backbone this time and stand up for what belong to South Sudan!
Constitutional inclusion of Abyei is right of South Sudanese! It doesn’t depend on what force are there! I think somebody is monkeying around with our rights! Curse be on the house of any one that dares to betray us!
Wal Peter Muoranyar
mohammed ali
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Well done! Peace and human life are the most valuable thing on earth.What is the use of land if it’s people are going to die.Are we going to use it as a grave yard?!
In both north and south there is plenty of land and very few people!There is always a room for comprmise and a peacful and amicable solution is possible and diserable.Messeria and Dinka were living together for centuries and mixed together to a great extent.Let us leave them alone without the interference of the so called “intellectuals” .They are not going to die for the sake of Abeyei , but they want others to die for the sake of their ambitions and greed!
Lamija Milaja
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
All,
Logic needs to prevail over emotions when discussing Abyei issue. In the first place if our government wants to include Abyei into south Sudan constitution is good but why did SPLM allowed itself to sign Abyei protocol and go for international solution in order to tell NCP that Abyei is in south?
Look, when you tie yourself with certain documents you need to be prepared to endure its consequences or else take unilateral decision and don’t be cowered and back down upon enemies threat.
A big question is, how many times SPLM have back down from NCP threat? SPLM is only good in mistreating its own people by practicing tribalism, corruption, nepotism, and many other ways of doing things unprofessional but is naive to stand with up head to face NCP..
Now rumors are coming out the SPLM candidate has won gubernatorial seat of Southern Kordofan, you will see NCP will change the result and SPLM will keep quite!! Let us wait to hear tomorrow.
Mr. Truthteller
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
South Sudanese,
See, I advise you to always take whatever I comment here for granted. I told you guys many times that you were ignorantly making emotional, unreasonble and illegal arguments to claim Abyei after 105 years in the North (since 1905) without proper procedures.
I also informed you that the world will not side with us in South Sudan if we become unreasonble people.
Now, the UN and AU have told Salva Kiir point blank to withdraw the provision on Abyei in the transitional constitution of South Sudan, or else…
What are you going to do about it now?
I suggest we better follow the right procedures we had wanted to abandon to get it back to South Sudan.
mohammed ali
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Lamja,
I agree with you that we have to consider all evidence and then make a decision. Away from the politicians rehetoric, I think the AU, USA and the troika know the details of all the documents and on top of that the situation on the ground.
War is not going to solve Abyeyi problem or any problem.The problem of south sudan was solved after negotiation. 50 years of war didn’t solve the problem.We did not came that long way to start a new war.It is not good for you , it is not good for us.
The AU, USA had given propsal which were all rejected by the SPLA. The hegemoney of Abeyei sons over the SPLA leadership prevented reaching an amicable solution.It is them who are pushing to include Abeyei situation in the constitution prematurely.Let us reach a solution and then include whatever you want in your constitution, that your right.Including it in the constitution now is provecative, it is still contesseted, whatever your claims or our claims!
In fact the hegemoney of Abeyei sons over the leadership of the SPLA had led to the pre-election mess and the democratic selections of the candidates with the devastating consequences which we are witnessing today!
monykuc, Southerner
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
I am not certain whether National Congress Party will abid with the withdrawal of the unofficial forces because of their greed for oil in Abyei area.
I personally do always blame the Administration that annexed Abyei to Southern Kordofan otherwise this unend tension would have not been there.
Mr. Truthteller
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Abyei has been in the North for over a 100 years since 1905. Its people are divided even if they conduct referendum some of them would vote to remain in the North. Abyei protocol is different from South Sudan’s referendum.
Abyei was never in the South Sudan interim constitution of 2005. Why now that we include it to South Sudan unilaterally before its status is determined by the people of Abyei? This is illogical, ignorance, emotionally unreasonble and illegal.
See, I advise you to always take whatever I comment here for granted. I told you guys many times that you were ignorantly making emotional, unreasonble and illegal arguments to claim Abyei after 105 years in the North (since 1905) without proper procedures.
I also informed you that the world will not side with us in South Sudan if we become unreasonble people.
Now, the UN and AU have told Salva Kiir point blank to withdraw the provision on Abyei in the transitional constitution of South Sudan, or else…
What are you going to do about it now?
I suggest we better follow the right procedures we had wanted to abandon to get it back to South Sudan.
Those who are talking about war are cowards living thousands of miles away from Abyei. They can never fight for Abyei even if war breaks out. They just love to see war movies. But that is different from the real war guys. And it is foolish to spoil the South Sudan independence over the issue of Abyei which can be strategically resolved by wise leaders later.
Dr. cholera
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
We shouldn’t have gotten into such situation before had people of Abyei would have chosen to stay with their brothers in the South at the first place, but rather, they Abyei people decided to join the North because they see themselves Arabs, they sold their land to Arabs because of food. When Arabs cooked that ‘mulai damaha’ with those nice spicies, the chief of Abyei salivated and enjoyed the dinner with a price of selling his land to the arabs, and now this is the results, Everytime when I said the dinka and food is unseparable, people in this forum say i’m a bad guy, but now i have proven my case, let me sit back and relax.
Jada Lotole
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Hi brothers,
Let us be fair to ourselves my dear fellow South Sudanese! Just like the way we allowed historic Referendum to be peacefully conducted right here in South Sudan, we too need to let Abyei people choose for themselves whether to remain part of South Sudan or Northern Sudan. SPLM got it all wrong when it went ahead and included Abeyi in the draft constitution nkowing very well that Abyei is yet to choose where it should fall as CPA clearly puts it !
As an individual, I think it is a wise decision for SPLM to engaged a reverse gear from declearing Abyei as part of South Sudan! This is a lesson for SPLM not to dominate such vital committees like Constitution Review committee which actually needed variety of ideas ! SPLM, you brought us shame ! Remember SPLM and the likes , our peopel say “WHAT BELONGS TO US MUST ALWAYS COME BACK TO US” Abyei will be ours but let us make it come back in a very formal way unlike the way SPLM does it “Shabbily” !!
Phil
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Good decision has been taken. There is no rush to illegally annex Abyei to the south. According to the current administrative arrangements on Abyei, which were reached before independence, south Sudan has no legal right to include Abyei in their boarders. Nonetheless, the people of Abyei have right to join the south if results of CPA promised referendum on future of Abyei say so.
Great work from UN and AU. The Sudanese political leadership, in both south and north, must also stay vigilant.
Phil
Waucity
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
In politics, majority rule, now the Dinka Ngok are the majority and when vote come, they will win…Therefore, splm has the right to claim Abyei. period.
Lo Isu
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Where is Dinka dominated SPLA, I would like to hear yo comment.
As for me I knew it would come to this. That is why I insistently preached to the dumb on the distinction between the Abyei Protocol and the South Sudan CPA.
Some people in this web are just taken up by the euphoria of SPLMism hence making them blind to the reality.Any way this is just the beginning coz soon the Citizenry of South Sudan will start demanding for the removal of articles that do not conform to the state De affairs, from the draft constitution.
Some times I wonder whether some of this GOSS lawyers turned ministers rightly attained their Law degrees. After arrogantly refusing to heed to the opposition advice on Abyei, now they are fucking down. I don’t know what John Luk has to say this time round. So shameful.
Lo Isu
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Lets face and accept the truth.
Abyei should choose where to belong without involving South Sudan, the same way it did when joining the Khartoum administration.
Why are they consulting / involving South Sudan now?, when they didn’t at the time they preferred Jallaba Administration to Junub Administration?
South Sudan is an independent state with or without Abyei, Period!!!!
Lamija Milaja
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Had SPLM listen to other political parties, they shouldn’t be humiliated like this. Other political parties have said it that in the meantime do not put Abyei into south Sudan constitution, SPLM refuses and feel they know everything. SPLM should learn to listen to others not only to NCP threat.
Lamija Milaja
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Had SPLM listen to other political parties, they shouldn’t be humiliated like this. Other political parties have said it that in the meantime do not put Abyei into south Sudan constitution, SPLM refuses and feel they know everything. SPLM should learn to listen to others not only to NCP threat, this shows SPLM only listens to the voice of war.
Mr. Truthteller
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Those so-called lawyers of South Sudan are just puppets of Salva Kiir and cannot advise him to the contrary lest they fear losing their jobs.
Lomoro James
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Dear All Southerners,
Am really sorry for the way the others Stupided guys comment on this website, those who don’t know the visions, Missions and objectives of the SPLM/SPLA since inception in 1983 to present.Do you thinks you guys who has just came from aboard since you came back home after CPA and sitdown and critized the currently government in South Sudan, why you don’t bring you fathers and fucken Mothers to fights during those days and now you claimed the ones whose know rights to freedom.
I stand firmed that SPLM/A couldn’t give any sigle chance to these idiotics whose comments like if they are in the hell and give themselves wrong names instead of their really names, shamed on them.
Why you don’t give youselves names appeared on the website and your really locations in such senario but you covered your name with nicke names so that you are not found,
I approciated the way others whose knows what SPLM was fighting for are commenting correctly leaving those guys with empty mind whose commented nonsensely behind, the will go to hell with their supportive government NCP like the way the are doing its.
God will judge you out if all of you forgot who brought CPA to Sudan like SPLM.
Thanks,
I can be reached at [email protected]
Aweil, South Sudan
stateman
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
its regrettable that the s.p.l.m leadership is taking this stand after all it brings us back to square one abyei will be ripped from our constitution thus making it still the territory of south kordofan state. With no s.p.l.a forces in the area to create a buffer zone between north and south Sudan boarder. We will not any legal claim of it in the eyes of n.c.p or our African brother because our own constitution doesn’t recognise it how hypercritical of us to expect north Sudan will we just threw the white flag in exchange for what? S.a.f force to leave abyei .the deal only focus on unmis and the join forces of both s.a.f and s.pl.a comprised of equal numbers. This strategy put forward does not discussing the main issue the fate of abyei after July 9 2011 independence, whether how or will abyei administration be structured and who will be able control the vast region will the dinka Ngok 9 chiefdoms relinquish their right to their ancestral land to accommodate the messiriya claim backed by Khartoum ?. It’s now apparent from the words of administrator of (USAID) in Sudan and g.o.s.s approval of this agreement. That this case will drag on till November and so on he was quoted as saying that the us, Norway and u.k will set up a meeting in Washington to settle the issue of abyei but after analysing he’s proposal even if it was to be implemented I was curious in what capacity and as whom does he receive this mandate from can someone of his rank chair such meeting. Have they created a road map of this is agreement? Is the north and south Sudan aware of this do they agree to the idea of having another outside discussion on this problem and if so what’s new about the offers who don’t already been through? come on folks please let’s stop these street style politics in juba we citizens of south Sudan in general got two deals on the table abyei either becomes a southern Sudanese territory or we occupy it not giving up to stale mate tactics of chess we had the j.i.u before it didn’t change nothing we had the court in Hague ruling in favour of us it didn’t changed nothing this is just another puppet trick proposal by au high-implementation panel to lift of the burden on their shoulders for they know between the two sides no one will compromise on anything even having a consensus on dual citizenship.so they finish off the remaining 30 so days with a Gaza strip, Israeli style feud plan to let us scruple about it with the u.n .
Paul Ongee
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Ya Truthteller, Lamija Milaja and the likes,
You’re free to say whatever you wanna say but inclusion of Abyei was not a violation constitutionally if you can really read the reasons behind instead of agreeing blindly with the Southern opposition party leaders. If NCP sends again “unauthorized force” close to Abyei’s border, we will re-claim Abyei constitutionally and re-build up our troops without prior notice; that’s how NCP or Khartoum should be dealt with.
If you think that it’s wrong to claim Abyei constitutionally, what is the legal aspect of the continuous build-up of SAF without written notification to SPLA or UNAMIS? What rights does NCP or SAF have constitutionally to build up troops along the border close (just 7 miles from the border of 1956) to Abyei? Do you think NCP builds up troops for peace or for taking Abyei illegally by force first and later claim it constitutionally? Answer this last question, please.
All southern opposition parties are not politically oriented since they were welcomed aboard after January 9, 2005. They need to go through political orientation administered by SPLM in Juba not Khartoum by NCP. Without political orientation they do not know why SPLM/SPLA is doing this or that. SPLM/SPLA has the right since 1983 to clear the field for them to land safely for celebrating the hard-won freedom, peace, and independence for generations to come. Got it?
Paul Ongee
Khartoum Watch
Ito
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Dear Readers,
I greet you all in the name of South Sudan and those of our liberation movements since 1955 to 2005. I am requesting you as fellow citizens to seriously and keenly go over this text being posted on Sudan tribune. Some of us are beginning to wonder as to whether the SPLM are working under the auspices of the African Union or what. The problem of Abyei should not be condone by any nationalist, it is a painful decision to make
The decision taken by our government has frustrated us and has loosen up our blood, Abyei problem has already been tabled in the discussion in the Haque and other subsequent talks such as the AU-UN sponsored talk in Addis Abba. Abyei was declared to be part of south sudan upon presentation of evidences from warring parties. Why don’t our government stand by such decision? Why do our government waste resources, energy and time in preparation for the Haque trip to stand for Abyei trial together with that in Add ababa Ethiopia?
It is now clear to me that our government are quazi of NCP and such kind of politic is a doing according to the principle that the best way to cut time short is through relaxing of decisions to opposition parties, this kind of practice is an opportunistic and selffish in nature.
The October revolution of 1964 headed by prime minister Kalifa who was by then the head of technical college against Aboud’s government will come to live, students of south sudan together with peasants will rise up and change those in power and reverse decisions that were already endorsed by this government to those that are of interests to the masses.
Thank you
LL Reuben
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Gat-witch (lie teller, hysteria boy etc) liberated, Choldit, Nyacebee etc..
SPLM/A is the only legitimate tool that will: rid the oppression by the merchants (Arab North), and deliver sustainable peace and prosperity to the long marginalized peoples of Southern Sudan, Abyei included and even beyond. The cluster of demagogues who have stationed themselves in Juba as political parties should not be allowed to sabotage or strangle our hard-won freedom courtesy of the who else the SPLM/A.
The self imposters (opposition parties) are nothing but mere demagogues, and should only be allowed to enter the scene when the Job is completed. Most of them are puppets of Umar Bashier and his NIF which is now National Criminal Party, the marginalized should pay no attention to their demagoguery. Pretending that they are more pro-democratic than the SPLM is as silly of a lie as the ground nature of which they created themselves as opposition political parties.
Those who deposit false allegations on the SPLM are part of these naïve weak hearts that have developed a culture of betrayal over the decades. That is, swishing to suitable side when the situation is tough and via versa. They have never had definable goal, their visions has always been their stomach. This is why they have become challenging obstacles currently in Juba; they are seeing Juba as a dinner table other than an establishment of a government (GoSS) that is fighting for a complete liberation of Southerners and the marginalized.
If these bunches were true democratic minded they would be challenging the GoSS on the flat-form of issues like security, health and infrastructure and many other issues that Juba government have perhaps pay less attention to within the interval of the interim period. Surprising, for the self-purported leaders of the opposition political parties, their main goal is power, power, and power, without anything else surrounding it. They are so preoccupied with obtaining power even to the extent that they are using proxy militia that is killing innocent Southerners to pressure the GoSS on their behave in order to advance their agenda of acquiring power in these grotesquery sequences.
SPLM and its military wing the SPLA are the tools for cracking these criminal merchants in Khartoum, who have killed and maimed the entire Sudan population over the decades in a very horrific clownish manner. GoSS should never accept to listen to any noise made by empty vessels that are getting cash from the Islamist in Khartoum. A real opposition party to the SPLM should be created in South Sudan by the South Sudanese after the declaration of independence of South Sudan this July. Period!
unityfirst1
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Paul Ongee!
That’s the way i have redefined it too,however some of the commentators are always quick to judge our government in many aspects before reading the article thoroughly.Our people should learn the stylist way of commenting in this website,otherwise go hard on ignorant people,but be specific and true on the game.we all know it that Abyei had been Part of the Land we were fight for.Twenty-one years in the Bush!why do some of you think that South Sudan Parliament should just let it go with the North that easily?SPLM/A is now well capable,well equiped and well professional than before,so in the meantime,we will play that game with the Khartoum Government and find out exactly how long will the game end.
Thanks!
Nguetbuny de Luelpiny
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
GOSS Administration are in Trouble if they dropped Abyei from the Darft Constitutional GOSS.
Hoooaa!! No! No! What the weak GOSS are these people now a day than the Rebellion Time?
Kiir Administration is in Trouble this time before; Dropped Abyei for what reason!
By surrender it to Arab Regime, because of threat of war?
I can believe hearing this.
Tone of liberators
Nguetbuny
Nguetbuny de Luelpiny
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
If anyone of could go to youtube Garang diagramme
on the Sudan issues Iowa State University.
http://www.youtube.com
looks for venndiagram speech Garang been Talking at Iowa States Unversity in the US.
part5-7.
take care full analtysis if it meaning
tone of liberators
Nguetbuny
Jada Lotole
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Heeee Lomoro !
A break please !
By the look of things, you seem to be a person who doesnt meditate upon issues before downloading your thrash on this web! Could you please ask someone to help you learn more about the current Abyei Admnistration Status ?
Thank you my little brother Lomoro .
Akot Akot
South Sudan to drop Abyei claims from draft constitution as unauthorized forces start withdrawal
Final Verdict on the long discussion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really like the way people have poured in their opinions and understandings on this crucial topic on Abyei. Almost everybody is right almost few have personalized and took it as an avenue of tribal sentiment. All your ideas are health but the fact is that “Abyei is 105 years old in the north, Other areas that were transferred to North without their consents together with Abyei made it back to South before the Independent of Sudan.
These areas are namely: Parieng and Biemnhom in Unity State, Ajak-Kuach and parts of Twic in Warrap were transferred together to North in 1905 by the colonial government. The same colonial government consulted those areas in 1920s and they appealed and were successfully transfered back to South in 1930s. Abyei chief as well was consulted together with others colleagues who later accepted and came back to South administratively with the exception of Abyei now.
Abyei is not South because when colonial government demarcated the North-South borders in 1956, Abyei was 50 years already in the North. By then it was their blames not colonial government anymore because they were later consulted after transfer without consultation. They had a second chance to come back to South.
Now, it would be upon the same Abyei people to vote to either continue in the North or comes back to South, otherwise if the verdict is to be based on what either of the Parties saying, it is still against the will of people of Abyei. Up to now, some want to continue in the North while others want to come to South. If we heed to what SPLM is doing in the Constitution, then same people forced to come to South because Deng Alor and others are Ministers, complaints about Abyei would be perennial.
Let them choose either way. Legally, Abyei is part of the North and culturally, they people are Southerners by origin. the only person with rightful verdict comes from Abyei but not also individual. Whether they are Dinkas or Murle or even other tribe in the South, they are Northerners politically until their referendum affirms one thing out of two. If they later say yes to coming to South, then there would even be no need to give them special definition in the constitution because they would be like any other community in the South. No special status.
Akot Akot Dengdit