April 20, 2024 (ABYEI) –  Protesters in the oil-producing region of Abyei and in New York have called for withdrawal of armed groups and for President Salva Kiir to accept the 2013 referendum outcome conducted by the community.

The call highlights the degree of frustration with which the local population is currently living after decades of a stalemate over status of the disputed area.

The protest, organized by Abyei Civil Society Organization (ACSO), in New York and in Abyei town, called for withdrawal of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from the contested region.

Angry protesters carried placards calling on President Kiir to relinquish power. Others predicted the South Sudanese leader could end up like Omar Al-Bashir, Sudan’s former president removed from power through popular uprising in 2019.

On April 19, 2024, South Sudan government presented a position paper to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) after inhabitants of the disputed region expressed concerns that UNISFA failed to protect the Ngok Dinka.

The paper cited the presence of SSPDF south of Abyei and SAF north in Diffra as an indication of the failure of UNISFA to ensure the area is free of armed groups.

The petition further argued that these deployments undermine the mandate of the peacekeeping mission to provide protection to civilians and represent a violation of the agreement adopted by the UN Security Council in its resolutions.

“We, the Ngok Dinka, demand the immediate withdrawal of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) from Abyei. Our statement reflects the collective sentiment of the community, as we have mobilized from all villages and areas of Abyei to express our deep dissatisfaction and frustration with the repeated failure of UNISFA to protect the lives of innocent civilians,” partly reads the position paper.

“The ongoing series of deadly attacks on Ngok Dinka villages have resulted in the death and injury of hundreds of civilians, predominantly women and children,” it added.

The spokesperson of ACSO, Miyen Ayuong Ajuong said presence of South Sudan’s army in Agok town and other areas south of the River Kiir constitutes a violation.

Ajuong said that the SSPDF alongside the SAF in Abyei area should be withdrawn.

“This stance is not solely that of ACSO but reflects the sentiment of the entire Ngok Dinka population in Abyei. We are discontent and unwilling to accept the situation affecting innocent civilians in Abyei. Civilians are being attacked and killed, especially with the SSPDF spreading in the south of River Kiir,” said Ajuong.

According to the spokesperson of the body, their involvement in certain attacks, facilitated by Twic armed youth and other militia forces is a cause for concern.

Ajuong criticized the current commander of the UN Mission in Abyei, claiming that Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr is ineffective in leading the mission.

He further claimed that the head of the mission had failed in his responsibilities.

“The 20 June 2011 agreement stipulating that Abyei should remain a weapons-free zone under regional protection but Major General Sawyerr is unable to effectively lead UNISFA. He demanded his replacement,” Ajuong stressed.

He added, “Therefore, the Nigerian and Ghanaian peacekeepers must be replaced by other forces capable of ensuring civilian protection.”

The Rumamer County commissioner, Ayuel Kiir confirmed that protests in Abyei and in diaspora were held against the current situation prevailing in the area.

“Abyei’s people, through civil society organizations, have expressed their protest in a peaceful manner. The government is not involved in the protest. The civil society have the right to voice their frustrations and we do not condone any harm or aggression towards foreign personnel,” he said.

The area remains a contested region between Sudan and South Sudan.

A referendum expected to be conducted in 2011 could not be held as two parties did not agree on vote eligibility. The referendum would have presented the citizens an option to choose whether to remain in Sudan as part of Kordofan to which the area was transferred in 1905 or decide to return to the south in Bahr el Ghazal from which it was transferred. The two countries have yet to agree on the border mapping since South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011.

UNISFA was deployed in June 2011 to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.

(ST)