Unity State ready to welcome Misseriya nomads but with conditions
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
February 8, 2012 (BENTIU) – Authorities in Unity State said Wednesday they are close to a deal with the Misseriya, an Arab nomadic group from North Sudan, to allow them to enter South Sudan to find pasture for their cattle.
Ten Misseriya representatives led by Sheik Jidid Omer arrived in Bentui, the Unity State capital, on Tuesday to initiate conciliatory talks.
Since South Sudan’s independence Khartoum and Juba have accused each other of supporting rebels in each others countries, most notably in South Kordofan where the Misseriya mainly reside and oil-rich Unity State in South Sudan.
Demarcating the border between the two countries and forming arrangements for nomadic groups are among the issues under discussion between the two sides in Addis Ababa.
North-South tension has risen in recent weeks as Juba stopped pumping oil through northern pipelines over a fee dispute.
This is the time of year that the Misseriya traditionally begin to enter South Sudan to graze their cattle as the dry season begins in South Kordofan, north of the border.
The Misseriya delegation’s visit to Bentui comes to smooth the way for this year’s migration, the first since South Sudan’s independence.
Last year Unity State authorities accused the Misseriya of ambushing four trucks belonging to the South Sudanese army (SPLA) in Unity State, leading to the death of four soldiers and injuring five.
Unity State advisor for security affairs, Michael Chiangjiek Geay, told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that his government wanted to find a way to live in peace with its northern neighbours.
“As you know the Arab nomads had been away for some time because of insecurity between the Unity State people and the Misseriya people, so this time they have taken an initiative that they want to reconcile with the people of Unity State, of which the government also accepted as part of the policy of the republic of South Sudan to be in peace with its neighbours”, said Geay.
Discussions focused on the process of the Misseriya entering southern territory but a final agreement has not yet been reached, he said. According to the security advisor, the Misseriya are welcome to enter South Sudan as long as they respect the sovereignty of the republic of South Sudan in terms of laws and order.
The Unity State government said that the SPLA would check that the Misseriya were disarmed at a checkpoints before they enter South Sudan.
South Sudan excepted that the nomadic group can enter the new nation for grazing and to trade, Gaey said, provided they use the checkpoints and disarm. The delegation will also meet the commissioners of Abiemhnom, Mayom, Rubkotna and Pariang, on their trip Geay added.
Among the issues discussed will be compensation – probably to be paid in cattle – for those killed by the Misseriya last year.
(ST)