Yakani welcomes commencement of Ngok-Miseriya peace talks in Uganda

JUBA – Prominent South Sudanese activist Edmund Yakani has welcomed the commencement of the peace negotiations between the Dinka Ngok community and the Miseriya Arabs in the Ugandan resort city of Entebbe over the disputed region of Abyei.

On Monday, talks initiated by the United Nations Interim Security for Abyei commenced to end escalating violence between the Miseriya and the Ngok Dinka which has resulted in the killing of dozens of civilians in the disputed territory since the start of this year.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, the CEPO welcomed the peace talks and stressed the importance of the peace negotiation spearheaded by the UNISFA which facilitated the conference under the theme “Peace through Dialogue”.

“The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization welcomes the peace talks and it is notable move for realization of the peace and stability in the disputed Abyei region. We thank United Nations Interim Security for Abyei (UNISFA) for this remarkable act,” the CEPO said in the statement a copy of which has been extended to Sudans Post.

Yakani, the Executive Director of the CEPO said “embracing dialogue for seeking sustainable solution between Ngok Dinka and Misseriya is the only path way. The use of violent approach for mitigating communities’ grievances between Ngok Dinka and Misseriya is wrong, unaccepted and not beneficial to any of the two conflicting communities. Take a responsible stand for using the on-going dialogue for reaching concrete resolutions for peaceful co-existence between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya is paramount.”

He urged the two feuding communities not to be confused by individuals making political statement in a way to manipulate the relations between the two communities and urged the mediators to keep the talk within the framework agreement of the Abyei Protocol provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

“Both Ngok Dinka and Misseriya should not allowed themselves to be confused with some of the political leaders statements from Khartoum and Juba governments over the status of Abyei,” Yakani said.

“Legal frameworks for resolving the status of Abyei are available in the chapter four of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 including the decisions of the permanent court of arbitration and African Union High Level Panel on South Sudan proposal,” he stressed

The advocacy group further urged “the conflicting communities of Ngok Dinka and Misseriya to take the advantage of the peace talks for making their own decisions on matters of their peaceful co-existence. The primary responsibility for making peace and stability prevail in Abyei is upon the both conflicting communities.

“None of the two conflicting communities can impose solutions on status of Abyei outside the legal framework agreed upon in the provision of the CPA chapter four on protocol of Abyei.

“Finally, CEPO is urging some political leaders in Juba and Khartoum to stop fuelling frictions among the   Ngok Dinka and Misseriya through making irresponsible political statements that undermines the spirit of peaceful co-existence among the both conflict communities.”