Kiir, Abyei intellectuals discuss the status of Abyei

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday held talks with prominent intellectuals from Abyei on the final status of the disputed area of Abyei.

The meeting held at J-1 on Wednesday came after President Kiir invited Abyei intellectuals to hear their views on the final Status of Abyei based on the 2005 Protocol signed between the Juba and Khartoum governments.

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Presidential Affairs said President Kiir has expressed his commitment to a peaceful resolution of the status of the Abyei Administrative area.

“They were able to have a long conversation with the President on the issues related to the status of Abyei. This was a great meeting,” Benjamin was quoted by SSBC as saying on Wednesday.

Benjamin said the final status of Abyei is a top priority of Kiir’s administration.

“Sticking to the final status of Abyei as reflected in Abyei Protocol and other areas that areas that would be added in finding a solution to the crisis,” he said.

Dr. Francis Mading Deng, a son of the late Dinka Ngok paramount chief Deng Majok said determination of the status of Abyei is a key priority in restoring lasting peace, security, and stability in the country.

“In the meantime, the people of Abyei are in desperate need of security and stability, services and development, running their own affairs and having good relations with their neighbors,” said Deng.

“If the relationship between Ngok Dinka and neighboring communities is stabilized, the result would be positive in the relationship between the countries.”

Deng said recent committees reconstituted by President Kiir are crucial in restoring peace and stability in the disputed area.

“The committees that have been reconstituted by the president with a sub-committee that is dealing with resource development in Abyei are critically important because our people need some evidence to bring them security, and stability and for them to return to those areas,” he said.

Dr. Luka Biong Deng, Dean of the Academic Affairs at Africa Center for strategic studies in the U.S “We hope this should be a guiding policy for our government and our President made a commitment that the final status of Abyei is very crucial.”