South Sudan, Sudan sign new deal recommitting to peaceful resolution of Abyei dispute

KHARTOUM, APRIL 11, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan and Sudan on Monday signed a new agreement recommitting themselves to protocols they had agreed on regarding resolution of dispute on the Abyei region.

The signing ceremony took place in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and its resolutions include delivery of social services, development, security, and community dialogues.

The agreement was signed by presidential advisor on security affairs Tut Gatluak on behalf of South Sudan, and deputy chair of Sudan Transitional Sovereign Council, Gen. Mohamad Hamdan Daglo on behalf of Sudan

The two officials expressed their governments’ commitment to peacefully resolving the Abyei dispute and thanked each other for their efforts in coming to a concluding agreement on how to deal with the Abyei dossier.

Gatluak expressed South Sudan’s keen interest in resolving the Abyei issue and thanked the Sudanese government for hosting the talks.

“I thank the government of Sudan for hosting us and we would like to inform you that the President of the State of South Sudan General Salva Kiir Mayardit is ready to bring the Abyei issue to an end,” Gatluak said.

Hemeti, for his part, commended South Sudan for their cooperation and pledged Sudan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and working alongside South Sudan.

“We are ready to work hand in hand to make sure that our peace live side-by-side peacefully,” he said.

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In reaction, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) welcomed – in a statement signed by its executive director Edmund Yakani – the signing of the agreement and called for the people of Abyei to be given the chance to say their destiny.

“CEPO welcomes the positive development on South Sudan and Sudan reached some agreements on the status of Abyei and sees that sons and daughters of Abyei should be given free chance to make free choice on where they want to belong between South Sudan and Sudan,” CEPO statement said.

“The agreed upon items of social service delivery, development, provision of security and community dialogues to foster coexistence and unity of Ngok Dinka and Misseriya are remarkable if it is genuinely implemented and enforce without any form of violations,” it added.

Yakani believes that this agreement is a step forward towards resolving the conflict and guaranteeing peace and stability for the communities in the region.

“We urge that conflict-sensitive approaches be used to promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence of Ngok Dinka and Misseriya,” he said.