Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The governments of South Sudan and Sudan, early this week, signed a commitment agreement on the final resolution of the Abyei dispute.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the Sudan Sovereign Council, Mohamad Hamdan Daglo Himiti, who signed on behalf of the Government of Sudan, and Tut Gatluak, who signed on behalf of the Government of South Sudan.
The two committees pledged commitment to resolving outstanding issues of Abyei in a peaceful and amicable manner, as well as delivering social services and promoting community dialogue to foster unity among the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya.
Also, the agreement marked a significant step towards in resolving the final status of Abyei, a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan following the cession of the latter, from the former, in 2011.
The agreement also prioritizes the provision of security and development for the area, highlighting a commitment to improving the lives of the people in Abyei.
Edmund Yakani, a civil rights group, welcomed the resumption of talks between the two countries.
He said the residents of Abyei should be given a free choice to decide which side they want to belong to.
Yakani stressed that politicizing the process of determining their fate would be a violation of the Abyei Protocol signed in 2004 under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that led to South Sudan’s independence in 2011.
“CEPO is urging the leaders in the ongoing talks to prioritize the well-being of Abyei residents and make compromises for their sake.”
“Almost all Abyei residents are becoming stateless citizens between South Sudan and Sudan, which is unacceptable,” Yakani stated.
Also, Yakani urged the international community to pressure the leaders of Juba and Khartoum to ensure that Abyei residents are given the freedom to decide their fate without any external influence.
The fate of Abyei has been a contentious issue between South Sudan and Sudan, with both countries vying for control over the region.
However, CEPO believes that the residents of Abyei should be the ones to decide their fate, as they are the ones who will be most affected.
The organization is calling for a resolution that can give the Abyei residents a free chance to make a free choice of where they want to belong.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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