Abyei Returns to the Forefront of Events as the Misseriya Seek UN Intervention
The issue of Abyei has returned to the forefront after the traditional leadership of the Misseriya tribe submitted a memorandum to the United Nations Secretary-General, which was received by the representative of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), expressing their firm rejection of the steps taken by the authorities of South Sudan to conduct a unilateral referendum and annex Abyei.
This development follows the outbreak of war in Sudan in mid-April 2023, with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attempting to leverage the Abyei issue to gain the favor and support of South Sudan.
In a statement reviewed by “Al-Muhqiq,” the traditional leadership representatives affirmed that all divine and international laws grant them the right to defend their legitimate rights.
The memorandum pointed out that the presence of the United Nations Security Forces in Abyei is legitimate only if Abyei is a demilitarized zone, free of any military forces except for the Abyei Police, which has not yet been formed. However, UN reports, including the latest decision No. 2024/2760, have failed to address this, confirming the presence of South Sudan Defense and Security Forces in Abyei, expanding their presence daily.
The memorandum also called on the UN Security Council, through its responsibilities, to stop all violations by South Sudan of the agreements and UN Security Council resolutions related to Abyei.
In January 2024, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemeti”) informed senior leaders from Abyei of his commitment to facilitate the return of thousands of Abyei and South Sudan residents stranded in Sudan.
In the same month, “Hemeti” met in Nairobi, Kenya with academics Francis Deng Majok and Luka Biong, prominent leaders from the Dinka Ngok tribe of Abyei. Luka Biong stated that Hemeti had provided well-considered views on several issues, including his firm commitment to support the safe return of South Sudanese citizens when the security situation allows.
UN Concerns
On May 7, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed concern over the deployment of South Sudanese forces in Abyei, in violation of the agreement. He stated that he remained worried about the presence of South Sudanese security forces in Abyei, which violates the 2011 agreement and the demilitarized status of Abyei.
Rejected Efforts
Dr. Salouma Mousa Yahya, Director of the Abyei Administration, described the efforts by Dinka Ngok leaders to convince the South Sudanese government to recognize the 2013 unilateral referendum in Abyei as rejected and unwelcome by the Sudanese government and Sudanese citizens in Abyei. He stated that these efforts were intended to provoke and exploit the current situation in Sudan, created by the RSF war, to impose a new reality in Abyei, disregarding all laws, norms, and protocols governing the referendum process.
Dr. Salouma affirmed that the Misseriya people have the right to oppose the Dinka Ngok’s attempt to impose recognition of the referendum results unilaterally. He reiterated that this right of rejection is inherent to the Misseriya people, who will work to uphold it by all available peaceful means. He also confirmed, according to a statement reviewed by “Al-Muhqiq,” that the Sudanese government is responsible for conducting the referendum and all related arrangements, including laws, regulations, and the formation of the commission, and urged the South Sudanese government to respect international laws and efforts by regional mediators not to respond to Dinka Ngok’s request to recognize the referendum results. He emphasized that any such response would create new tensions in the region, which is currently experiencing calm and stability.
The joint oversight committee for Abyei, established under the 2011 temporary administrative and security arrangements agreement, monitors the work of the executive council and oversees security and stability in the area, proposing necessary development projects. The committee consists of four members, with each country selecting two, plus a fifth member appointed by the African Union Commission to facilitate the committee’s work without voting rights. The committee is co-chaired by one member from Sudan and another from South Sudan.
Misseriya Protests
On January 19, the Misseriya tribe in Abyei held a protest in front of the UNISFA gate against the South Sudanese government’s approval of the unilateral referendum in Abyei (Dinka Ngok). During the protest, they submitted a memorandum to the UN mission rejecting South Sudan’s moves to approve the unilateral referendum.
The Misseriya’s memorandum to the UN stated: “The protocol to resolve the conflict in Abyei stipulates that the status of Abyei will be determined by a referendum for its residents, with Article (8) paragraphs (1-3), which refers to the creation of the referendum commission by the presidency, the separate voting of Abyei residents in paragraph (2), and the preservation of the January 1, 1956 boundary, unless agreed otherwise.”
The memorandum continued: “All agreements signed regarding Abyei since the 2004 protocol, the 2008 Abyei Roadmap Agreement, and the 2011 temporary administrative and security arrangements agreement, as well as all relevant UN Security Council resolutions from 2011/1990 to the latest resolution 2760 on November 15, 2024, all stipulated that no party should make unilateral decisions regarding Abyei’s fate.”
It further stated that South Sudan has consistently sought to control Abyei through decisions that violate all agreements and Security Council resolutions, including the unilateral appointment of an administrator in Abyei since 2013, the deployment of military forces, and the expansion of their presence daily, as reported by the United Nations in its reports, including decision No. 2760 on November 15, 2024.
Despite all these violations, the relationship between the Misseriya and Dinka Ngok has developed into a situation of peace, security, and mutual benefit amidst the surrounding conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, making Abyei a safe haven in these challenging times.
The memorandum emphasized: “As a primary component of Abyei’s population and a rightful partner, we do not accept being bypassed or having our citizenship rights violated in our homeland. We believe South Sudan made a grave mistake by thinking that Sudan’s internal problems due to the current war would provide it with an opportunity to annex Abyei without justification. We, as the Misseriya and Sudanese people, are committed to our rights, and our respect for international law and resolutions does not signify weakness on our part.”
The memorandum declared the Misseriya’s firm rejection of South Sudan’s moves to approve the unilateral referendum and annex Abyei, calling on the UN Security Council to halt all violations by South Sudan of agreements and Security Council resolutions related to Abyei.
