The British-based organization Concordis has recently resumed work in Abyei, to try to bring reconciliation between the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya peoples, both of which have claims to the disputed Abyei territory.

Sudan and South Sudan have yet to settle their dispute over the territory, in spite of a ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague in 2009. The murder of the paramount chief of the Ngok Dinka last year worsened relations between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes in the area.

After the slaying of the chief, tensions were high during the latest seasonal Misseriya migration into the Abyei area, resulting in clashes.

Concordis International has worked in Abyei before, and also in recent years facilitated some inter-tribal dialogues in the North-South border region, including in Mayom, Maban and Renk.

The organization’s researcher for Abyei, Steven Mawuin, approached recently Ngok Dinka leaders but has yet to meet representatives of the Misseriya.

The Abyei Today newsletter reported that Steven Mawuin is looking at factors which had brought together the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya in previous times. Mawuin said Concordis could facilitate moves towards reconciliation, but the process had to be led by the two communities themselves.

The chief administrator of the Abyei Area Administration, Koul Monyluak Dak, welcomed the Concordis initiative, and said he was happy to put the organization’s proposals before the people of Abyei.

But he said dialogue would be successful only if both sides were willing to take part. Chief Mejok Koul Lual of the Marrang clan also welcomed Concordis.

He said the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya should both write down their demands and give them to Concordis, so the group could identify any points of contention, according to Abyei Today.

Chief Akonon Ajuang Deng, of the Aneil clan said no community leaders could be against the idea of reconciliation. But people had suffered, and it would not be easy, he said.

File photo

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