Yakani condemns Misseriya attack on Abyei attack

JUBA – Prominent South Sudan Activist Edmund Yakani has condemned yesterday’s attack on vehicles in the disputed Abyei region in which suspected Misseriya tribesmen killed at least one person and wounded three others.

Abyei government said in a statement seen by Sudans Post on Sunday that the attack took place at 10:00 AM in the Amiet-Abyei road when unidentified men who eventually happened to be Misseriya opened fire on two pickup vehicles killing one person and wounding others including an unidentified woman.

In a statement, Yakani who is also the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) condemned the attack and said the attack is an indication that the Misseriya tribe is not serious in respect to the ongoing efforts for peace under the auspices of the African Union.

“CEPO in strong terms condemned the renewal of armed attacks by armed men on civilian convey dated 18th September 2022 in Abyei by the Sudanese Misseriya nomads which resulted to killing of one person. This is unaccepted act from the Misseriya,” Yakani said.

“This attack comes when there are ongoing efforts of consultations by AU high implementation panel on the status of Abyei led by the former President of South African Thabo Mbeki. This is a clear demonstration of rejection of the AU efforts from the Misseriya and further show that there is no political will for genuine resolution of Abyei status disputes,” the outspoken activist added.

Yakani said the acts by the Misseriya Arabs is an indication that they are not serious about ongoing peace initiatives including the recent Kampala meeting in which Misseriya elders and those from Ngok agreed to cease hostilities, and called on the government in Juba to bring to justice the perpetrators of the attack.

“These violent acts of the Misseriya should stop and they should be held accountable for their political misbehaviors,” Yakani said.

“The attack on Sunday, 18 September 2022, shows that the outcomes of the recent Kampala peace conference resolution is violated and undermined by the Misseriya,” he stressed.

The activist further called on the African Union to organize a roundtable initiative between Sudan and South Sudan in order to discuss end to the continued insecurity in the disputed territory.

“CEPO call upon AU Peace and security Council to call for strategic roundtable on the resolution of Abyei status where Juba and Khartoum should have effective participation alongside the representatives of the Abyei communities in conflict over the status of Abyei,” he said.