Arming Ngok Dinka of Abyei for self-defence

By Steve Paterno

June 11, 2013 – Should the Ngok Dinka of Abyei be armed to defend themselves? This is a question that sparks debate recently among South Sudanese online discussants. The debate is triggered in part due to a proposal by Hon. Anyoti Adigo, a leader of opposition party, SPLM-DC at South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA). Accordingly, among other proposals, Hon. Adigo suggests for arming of Ngok Dinka tribesmen in order for them to defend themselves against the marauding Misseriya tribe, who in turn, are being armed by the regime in Khartoum.

However, the chairman of SPLM-DC party, Dr. Lam Akol, quickly repudiated the idea, calling it preposterous and not in line with the opposition party’s platform. The SPLM-DC chairman scolds Adigo for insubordination, lack of sound judgment, and deviating from the party’s principle. He argues that the sole responsibility of providing security to the population lies squarely with the government of the day in Juba. Dr. Akol goes on to criticize the government of South Sudan for its inability to provide security, particularly to the people of Abyei.

It is of course typical for opposition party to criticize the government for range of issues, where the government demonstrates weaknesses. Nevertheless, in the case of Abyei, it is obvious the controversial chairman of SPLM-DC either is deliberately ignoring or he is just out right oblivious of the peculiarities and realities of Abyei status. The fact that the chairman of SPLM-DC party is framing and shaping his political argument from Khartoum, and perhaps under Khartoum’s regime influence, underscores the peculiarities of status of Abyei and its complex relationship with the Republic of Sudan vice versa the Republic of South Sudan. It is such complexities of relationship, which is ought to be taken into consideration when dealing with issues of security in Abyei.

Sudan, (where the chairman of SPLM-DC is shouting from for insubordination against his party member in South Sudan government and where he is shaping his political argument), declared South Sudan as an enemy state and its people as mere “insects” not worthy of any livelihood. Under its broad scotch earth policy, the government in Khartoum arms and supplies Misseriya, an Arab rival tribe to kill, loot, and uproot the Ngok Dinka and the other surrounding South Sudanese communities. This policy of ethnic cleansing is devastating the region. Currently, the government in Khartoum is holding Abyei hostage for ransom, perhaps to be paid off by oil. The regime deliberately violated any single article of the agreements signed on Abyei. The hope for any peaceful resolution for Abyei issue stands bleak. In short, the problems of Abyei have their origins in Khartoum, not Juba.

The UN Peacekeeping, tasked to protect Abyei population lacks any competence to carry on its intended mandate. The case in point is when the UN Peacekeepers recently allowed the armed Misseriya tribesmen, acting under the orders of Khartoum, to mercilessly slaughter the Ngok Dinka paramount chief, Kuol Deng Kuol, along with other members of peacekeepers.

The SPLA, a South Sudanese army has equally little chances to provide adequate security to the Abyei population. First of all, under the security arrangements, signed with Khartoum, SPLA forces are deployed way far behind the perimeter where the civilian population occupies. Secondly, SPLA forces have dismal record in providing adequate security among the feuding communities in the South, therefore, chances that they can do so in Abyei is remote.

Despite the drawback of having weapons in the hands of civilians and the fear for potential implications, the peculiarities of Abyei status compels that its civilian population, at least, must have access to some sort of weapons for self-defence. If such endeavour would have to be undertaken though, it will, however, not require legislation from South Sudan parliament. The action will rather require directives from the presidency, along with the ministry of defence in collaboration with the intelligence services. This can also mean that the community must be organized so as they act as a real deterrence force against the aggression of Khartoum armed forces and their Misseriya allies. All these must be done discretely and covertly.

Now, with the break of détente and the prospect for heighten border tensions between the two countries, due to Khartoum’s unilateral decision to shut down South Sudanese oil export, South Sudan needs a range of proposals and options to counter Khartoum’s belligerence. Arming Ngok Dinka will go a long way in twisting the arms of the ruthless regime in Khartoum.