Abyei’s traditional leaders to hold dialogue conference in April
March 30, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) decided to promote peaceful coexistence between the two communities that claim the ownership of the area and to call for a dialogue meeting in April.
On 29-30 March, and after a long time of inactivity , the AJOC held its 9th meeting in Addis Ababa attended by two new co-chairs Deng Mading Mijak from South Sudan and Hassan Ali Nimir of Sudan. Also the new head of UNISFA Haile Tilahun Gebremariam took part in the meeting.
The meeting agreed to “convene a traditional leaders meeting/dialogue: ln the light of the urgent need to involve the Ngok Dinka and Messiriya communities in addressing their common concerns,” said statement issued at the end of the meeting.
The meeting will be held within the last week of April in Addis Ababa and will be facilitated by the AJOC, the AU and the UN.
The meeting, which was held “in a spirit of friendship and cooperation” also decided to support a sustained humanitarian and recovery/development programmes in the disputed areas, and ensure full access of aid workers by the two governments “within the rules and procedure prevailing in the two States”.
The meeting condemned all the attacks in Abyei and emphasised on the recent attacks on Marial Achak, and Diffra [Kech] oil fields.
Earlier this month, the UNISFA peacekeepers force reported that some 100 armed Misseriya killed four people, wounded three others and eight children are missing following an attack on Marial Achak. Also, the Misseriya accuse the latter on attack against them.
The meeting further agreed on the need that Abyei Area be a weapons-free zone.
The meeting, didn’t discuss matters of divergence like the formation of a joint administration and police However these issues are expected to be on the discussions tables in the 10th meeting which would be held after the dialogue conference.
(ST)