Sudan’s ruling NCP calls for restraint in wake of Abyei killings

May 5, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has warned that the incident which took place yesterday in the disputed border area of Abyei could trigger renewed strife in the region.

Kuol Deng Kuol, the top Dinka Ngok leader in Abyei, was killed on Saturday by Arab Misseriya tribesmen as he was travelling through the region in a convoy escorted by the United Nations Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

Sudan said today that 17 were killed and 12 injured from the Misseriya side, 2 from the Dinka Ngok and two UNISFA peacekeepers.

The NCP’s spokesperson, Yasser Youssef, called on all sides to deny “enemies of peace” the chance to exploit the incident expressing his deep sorrow for the killings and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

He urged all parties to show restraint until an investigation into the incident is completed.

Youssef pointed out that the government of South Sudan hastily rushed to hold the Sudanese government responsible for the assassination of Kuol, saying that conclusions should not be drawn before launching an impartial investigation.

The NCP official said that his party is collecting information on the incident and ready to help the government in case it decided to form a fact finding committee.

Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs announced on Sunday that authorities in Khartoum will carry out an inclusive, transparent and fair investigation. It condemned the killing while vowing to hold those responsible accountable.

The ministry further reiterated Sudan’s commitment to all agreements signed with South Sudan and its determination to implement them. It affirmed Sudan’s keenness to normalize and enhance bilateral relations.

Abyei was scheduled to have a referendum in January 2011 to decide its fate but it never took place as Khartoum and Juba disagreed on who should be able to participate.

Last year, the African Union mediation team proposed that a referendum be held in the contested region this October, but that only those residing permanently in the area would be allowed to vote in the plebiscite, and decide whether they want to join Sudan or South Sudan.

This proposal would effectively make the majority of voters come from the Dinka Ngok tribe, aligned with South Sudan, thus putting the Arab Misseriya nomads, who spend several months in Abyei every year grazing, not part of the voting.

However, Sudan swiftly rejected the plan, which received the blessing of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).

(ST)