R-JMEC urges dialogue between Twic and Dinka Ngok to salvage peace

JUBA – The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) on Monday called for dialogue between Twic community of Warrap State and Dinka Ngok of Abyei Administrative Area to break the cycle of violence, underscoring the need for the culture of peace to prevail.

Over the weekend, more than 50 people – including two UN peacekeepers – were killed in heavy fighting between members of the Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka ethnic groups in the Abyei disputed area.

The R-JMEC in a statement extended to Sudans Post on Monday condemned the attack in Abyei as well as regretting the loss of lives, and urged the R-TGONU to restore permanent, sustainable peace and security.

It condoles with the families of all those who lost their lives in this regrettable incident.

“These attacks did not happen in isolation but follow a pattern of continuing violence between local communities of that area in recent weeks and months, which also resulted in the death of the Deputy Administrator of the Abyei Administrative Area in late December 2023,” the statement said.

“South Sudan’s successful democratic transition hinges on the implementation of key tasks which are still incomplete, in particular the unification of forces and their deployment, and the making of the permanent constitution,” it added.

The motive for the attack is unclear, but local officials say that the fighting was linked to a land conflict between members of the Twic Dinka and Ngok Dinka ethnic groups.

Both Dinka Twic and Dinka Ngok claim ownership Aneet market and other places, in a dispute that has remained unresolved since the In February 2022.