Key Abyei politicians reject Francis Mading’s autonomy proposal

JUBA – Key representatives and stakeholders from South Sudan’s contested Abyei region, including members of the Abyei Special Administrative Area government, lawmakers, and civil society leaders, have strongly rejected a proposal by Dr. Francis Mading Deng for autonomous rule in Abyei, instead urging the South Sudanese government to push for a final resolution on the area’s status.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Abyei representatives criticized Mading’s “self-rule” proposal as “inaccurate and deliberately misleading,” arguing that it disregards the overwhelming sentiment among the Ngok Dinka people, who voted almost unanimously to join South Sudan in an October 2013 community referendum.

The statement, endorsed by prominent local leaders and stakeholders, denounced Mading’s proposal as divisive, asserting that it undermines Abyei’s cultural and historical ties to South Sudan.

In his recent letter to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, however, Mading presented the autonomy proposal through the Voice for Security and Stability Committee, highlighting the strategic importance of an autonomous Abyei for peace, security, and regional stability.

Mading argued that an autonomous Abyei would benefit neighboring communities and the two Sudans, while fostering stability that could extend throughout the African and Arab regions.

“Unlike the Area Administration, which represents the government of South Sudan, the Ngok Dinka community does not, of course, speak for the government,” Mading stated. “But they hope to reinforce South Sudan’s efforts to secure peace and stability for the Ngok Dinka people. All regional and international stakeholders should therefore cooperate to reinforce and consolidate this strategic vision for Abyei.”

Abyei stakeholders, however, maintain that Dr. Mading’s position disregards the clear preference expressed by the Ngok Dinka community in 2013. “This proposal,” the statement noted, “is an attempt to undermine Abyei’s integration into South Sudan’s national fabric and disregards the progress achieved by Abyei’s stakeholders over recent years.”

The stakeholders also called on President Kiir’s administration to increase diplomatic engagement with the African Union (AU), United Nations, and international community to press for a final status resolution for Abyei.

Options discussed include the recognition of the 2013 community referendum or a new referendum based on the African Union’s 2012 Mbeki proposal, as they emphasized the Ngok Dinka’s “steadfast resolve” to remain part of South Sudan.

Signatories to the position paper included high-ranking officials and civil society leaders, such as minister of East African Affairs Deng Alor Kuol, Chief Administrator of Abyei Special Administrative Area Chol Deng Alak, former finance minister and Chairman of Abyei Community in Juba, Dier Tong Ngor.

The statement, distributed widely, was also copied to South Sudan’s political parties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the AU Commission, and relevant UN Security Council members, urging coordinated efforts to resolve Abyei’s status.