Abyei leaders urge peace over PCA ruling

21 Jul 2009

Abyei leaders urge peace over PCA ruling

Abyei politicians recently stressed the need for the Misseriya and Dinka Ngok tribes to live together peacefully as they awaited an international court's decision on the area's disputed border, to be issued on 22 July.

Abyei politicians recently stressed the need for the Misseriya and Dinka Ngok tribes to live together peacefully as they awaited an international court's decision on the area's disputed border, to be issued on 22 July.

Speaking to communities in Gole, Al-Dayir and Mikeinees to the north of Abyei and Agok to the south from 15 to 17 July, Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and National Congress Party (NCP) representatives urged the two tribes to maintain their long-standing harmony, whatever decision the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague made.

Addressing Misseriya tribespeople in Al Dayir, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Zakaria Atem (NCP) assured the gathering that no harm would come after the PCA ruling. "If Abyei comes under Juba ... you as Misseriya ... nobody will stop your movement southwards even up to Wau. Do not think that you will lose your rights."

Organized by UNMIS in coordination with the Abyei Legislative Council and Abyei Administration, the meetings aimed to inform local communities of the PCA's independent, impartial nature in a bid to avoid negative reactions to its decision.

Following an outbreak of fighting in May 2008 between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), the SPLM and Government of Sudan agreed that the PCA would settle their dispute over the Abyei area boundaries.

Wrapping up a session in the northern town of Gole, Legislative Council member Musa Baggadi (NCP) thanked the Misseriya for their message of commitment to peaceful coexistence. "We would like to request you to send this same message to all the surrounding areas, especially areas (of impassable roads) where our vehicles cannot go."

Council member Piol Mithiang (SPLM) told a gathering of Dinka Ngok in Agok that people (Misseriya) in villages to the north had "voiced very positive words", stating that they had gained nothing from the area's previous war. "Instead, they said, they lost their sons, daughters and wives ... their children could not go to school."

Life continued as usual in Abyei town, as the PCA announcement loomed, with uniformed students presenting a scene of tranquility in the streets.

Attesting to the town's stability, Murik Deng, a teacher at Abyei Seconday School for Girls, noted that attendance had even recently increased. "Classes will continue as usual unless we receive orders from the local authorities to close the doors of the school."
People were also seen moving freely around Abyei market until the nine-o'clock evening curfew. Sheltering in her small tukul, a local tea lady said she had noticed no change in the numbers and movement of people in the bustling commercial space.