In a statement issued on Friday, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry spokesperson Agok Anyar Madut responded to Sudan’s recent protest over South Sudan’s decision to designate Abyei as one of its electoral constituencies ahead of the polls.
Sudan had argued that the inclusion of Abyei residents in the elections violates the 2005 Abyei Protocol under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and subsequent agreements between the two countries. Khartoum also described the decision as a unilateral action by the Government of South Sudan.
However, Juba dismissed those claims, saying it was “surprising that Sudan raised such an objection through public media and filed complaints to the United Nations and to some regional bodies instead of normal diplomatic channels.”
The South Sudanese government maintained that the participation of Abyei residents in the elections is supported by several legal instruments, including the Abyei Protocol, Sudan’s 2005 Interim National Constitution, the 2005 Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan, and South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution of 2011, as amended.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Article 1.2.1 of the Abyei Protocol provides that “Residents of Abyei will be citizens of both Western Kordofan and Bahr el Ghazal (now Warrap) with representation in the legislatures of both states.”
The ministry also cited Article 97(4)(a) of South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution, which states that “The members of the nine Ngok Dinka Chiefdoms of the Abyei area shall have an inalienable right to enjoy South Sudanese citizenship and nationality and all rights and freedoms guaranteed by this Constitution.”
Juba further argued that Abyei residents had previously participated in the 2010 elections held under Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement without objection from either side.
“Residents of Abyei Area took part in the general elections that were held in 2010 in the then Southern Sudan and their participation was not objected to by any party as it was consistent with the legal framework that was and continues to govern the Abyei issue,” the statement said.
“The forthcoming general elections simply continue to follow an established constitutional and electoral practice founded upon citizenship rights already recognized by both Parties,” it added.
The exchange marks the latest disagreement between Juba and Khartoum over Abyei, an oil-rich border region claimed by both countries. The area’s final status remains unresolved despite provisions in the 2005 CPA calling for a referendum that has never been held due to disputes over voter eligibility.
Despite defending its electoral decision, South Sudan reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the Abyei dispute through peaceful means.
“We reiterate that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution of Abyei’s final status through dialogue and negotiations,” the ministry said.
It also expressed support for mediation efforts led by the African Union, the United Nations and other international partners aimed at reaching a lasting settlement over the disputed territory.
