Fears that Abyei region may be taken by force

A prominent elder of the Abyei community in central Sudan is calling once again for the international community to move effectively to resolve the future of the area in accordance with agreed international stipulations.

Dr Zachariah Bol Deng, a former politician and prominent Abyei elder, reiterated his call after fighting broke out in the oil-rich area. During the early hours of Sunday 27 February, members of the northern nomadic Arab Misseriya tribe attacked the Dinka Ngok residents of the Todach area. There was further fighting the next day. Although both sides accuse the each other of initiating the violence, UN peacekeepers, who visited the area afterwards, confirmed that the Misseriya had opened fire twice on a police station, killing seven.

Speaking to CSW, Dr Bol Deng described the current situation in Abyei as “extremely tense”, adding that at least 50 Dinka were killed during the clashes on Sunday, while the number of Misseriya deaths is unknown. These are the first clashes to occur since a peace deal was agreed between the two sides last month, following brutal clashes in mid-January that left at least 33 people dead.

A referendum on self-determination was due to be held in Abyei in tandem with the southern referendum, but was delayed by Khartoum’s desire to extend voting rights to the nomadic Misseriya, who traditionally graze their cattle in the area for a few months each year.

Southern sources believe that the Khartoum government is inciting attacks by the Misseriya and pro-government militias in order to disrupt the process of southern separation and border demarcation, and secure a place for the Misseriya at upcoming talks on the future of Abyei, due to be held next week in Addis Ababa. Some also see the recent violence as an indication that preparations are underway for the invasion of Abyei and other areas in the south.

Dr Bol Deng told CSW, “In spite of the fact that the people of Abyei fully participated in the 50-year struggle for freedom, and that the Abyei Protocol was witnessed by the world, including the US, UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Italy, IGAD the AU and the UN, the Protocol has yet to be implemented. Likewise, the north-south border, which was delineated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague remains un-demarcated, and all due to the intransigence of Khartoum. The issue of voting rights in Abyei has already been settled – the Misseriya are nomadic and have no vote. While no-one will prevent them from accessing grazing lands on a seasonal basis, we cannot be expected to accept their attempts to occupy our land”.

CSW’s National Director Stuart Windsor said, “The international guarantors of the Abyei Protocol must take urgent measures to facilitate both Abyei’s referendum and the demarcation of the north-south border. This will contribute towards ending the uncertainty regarding the area’s future, which itself contributes to volatility. Worrying proclamations by northern officials that Abyei “is northern and will remain northern” also contribute to this instability, and do little to allay fears of an imminent and more sustained attack. In order to avert the potential return of civil conflict, the international community must maintain its focus on events in the area and make it clear that it will not tolerate future attacks on Abyei or any part of southern Sudan, and that the North should adhere to internationally-agreed stipulations regarding the future of Abyei and the north-south border.”

For further information, photos, or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.