Local administration urges Sudan, South Sudan to settle Abyei issue

By Awan Achiek

The Deputy head of Abyei Administrative Area, Kon Manyiet Matiok is urging the government of Sudan and South Sudan to find a solution on the status of the oil-rich Abyei region.

Abyei area covers 4,000 square miles of desert, farmland, and oil fields located along the ill-defined border between Sudan and South Sudan. Abyei is claimed by both countries.

Both sides agreed to allow United Nations Interim Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) seen as a neutral force to be deployed in the area to try and deter inter-communal fighting. UNISFA was deployed in 2011 as the two Sudans try to reach a final agreement on the status of the area.

“We want the two parties (Sudan and South Sudan) to at-least sit and address the issue of Abyei so that peace can prevail in the Abyei area. They have the right to enjoy stability, development, and justice,” Manyiet told Juba Echo in an interview on Friday.

“I don’t know why the people of Abyei are left to suffer all these time, it is the responsibility of the two parties (Sudan and South Sudan) to make sure that people of Abyei also enjoy peace like the people of South Sudan and people of Sudan,” Matiok said.

 Matiok urged the government of South Sudan to table the issue of Abyei before African Union or United Nations to find a final solution for the people of the area.

“For the government, it has to speed up and push this issue either with Sudan or African Union or with the United Nations so that this issue comes to an end. Why are people of Abyei left to suffer since the signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 up to now?” he questioned. 

“Abyei is very rich with oil and the oil which is extracted from Abeyi is being used by other people and nothing is being given to the people from Abyei so that they can develop their area,” he concluded.