The resolution of the Abyei conflict for everlasting peaceful co-existence between North and South Sudan
By Jacob K. Lupai, SOUTH SUDAN MAY 22/2011, SSN; In the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 between the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), Abyei is considered a bridge between North and South Sudan, is defined as the area of the nine Ngok Dinka chiefdoms transferred to Kordofan in 1905 while the Misseriya and other nomadic people retain their traditional rights to graze cattle and move freely across the territory of Abyei. According to the CPA the Ngok Dinka who are residents of Abyei are given dual citizenships of both Kordofan and Bahr el Ghazal. In contrast the CPA does not say the Misseriya are residents of Abyei but only say they should retain their traditional rights to graze cattle and move freely across the territory of Abyei. The CPA is crystal clear that the Misseriya and other nomadic people have no business in Abyei as residents but only as nomads passing through Abyei. The fact that the Ngok Dinka have dual citizenships of both Kordofan and Bahr el Ghazal in the South confirms that the Ngok Dinka are indeed southerners by all means. However, the Ngok Dinka have a choice as their forefathers had, either to be part of the North or the South. The assertion that the Ngok Dinka were transferred to the North by the British in 1905 may be arguable. It is recorded that in 1745 the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya met where they now live and during the Turko-Egyptian administration (1821-85) long before the alleged transfer occurred in 1905 both fell under the jurisdiction of Kordofan province in the North. After the establishment of Anglo-Egyptian condominium rule in 1899, Chief Arob Biong of the Ngok Dinka was among the first of the southern chiefs to get the message. Chief Arob Biong made contact and secured protection of his people under the new Anglo-Egyptian administration. The Chief extended the contact he had established with the Arabs into an administrative arrangement with the central government that eventually institutionalized Ngok Dinka affiliation into the North. When Chief Arob Biong died in 1905, his son Kwol Arob succeeded him. The new chief immediately contacted the newly established Anglo-Egyptian administration to secure, as his father had done, the protection of his people against the continuing Arab raids. From Chief Arob Biong to Kwol Arob the Ngok Dinka consolidated their connection with the northern administrative system. >From literature review it seems the British were less involved in their alleged transfer of the Ngok Dinka to the North in 1905. It appears it was the Ngok Dinka who transferred themselves to the North long before the alleged transfer by the British in 1905. In contrast the administrative status of the Ngok Dinka in Kordofan was considered an anomaly with which the British were not entirely comfortable. The difficulty in demarcating the area of Abyei could be partly due to the Ngok Dinka connection with the North in pre-colonial time before formal demarcation of borders took place. However, whether the Ngok Dinka were transferred by the British or they transferred themselves to the North is immaterial. We should not only be emphasizing the British transfer of the Ngok Dinka to the North in 1905 but should instead emphasis whether the Ngok Dinka are northern or southern. The fact is that the CPA, which is a document witnessed by the international community, recognizes the Ngok Dinka as part and parcel of the South. In the CPA the Ngok Dinka are offered a choice of being either part of the North or the South. This is fitting in that the Ngok Dinka in their own free will had chosen in pre-colonial era to connect to the North. It should also be in their own free will to choose to connect to the South. Neither should the North nor the South use any force to decide the fate of Abyei. It is the Ngok Dinka to decide what is in their best interest. For now all indications are that the Ngok Dinka will not miss that golden chance to be united with their kindred in the South. The resolution of the Abyei conflict will be a measure of everlasting peaceful co-existence between the North and South as two independent nations. The Abyei conflict can be peacefully resolved on the basis of objective realities. The objective realities are as recognized in the Addis Ababa Agreement of 1972 and the CPA of 2005. The difficulty in resolving the Abyei conflict is because the difference between the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka have been hyped up by the Islamic National Congress Party as a consolation for having failed miserably to keep Sudan as a united country. Since time immemorial the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka had been the best of neighbours despite intermittent problems. They were able to resolve conflicts respectfully and peacefully. With the struggle for power in Sudan the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka have found themselves polarized. The Misseriya identify with the North while the Ngok Dinka naturally identify with the South. The wider the gap between the North and South the further polarized are the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka. One resolution is for the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka to part ways. This means the Misseriya should be contented of being in the North leaving the Ngok Dinka to join their kindred in the South. However, as the NCP has an axe to sharpen against the South, the Misseriya are the canon fodder to be used to destabilize the South through Abyei. For the South there shouldn’t be hurry. The NCP is walking on a tied rope that may snap at anytime. Formal declaration of independence of the Republic of South Sudan is only a stone throw away. The Republic of South Sudan will be recognized by the international community where pacts may be concluded and fostered with some friendly nations. It will not be alone when a fight breaks out over Abyei. Also Southern Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile may wish to join the Republic of South Sudan in a federation. With Darfur in crisis the NCP will think twice on how to hang on to Abyei forever. In conclusion, a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Abyei will spare the region from burning to ashes. The NCP may need to be persuaded to use common sense. The natural home of the Ngok Dinka is the South. This means the area of the Ngok Dinka is southern by all means. The fact that the pre-colonial Ngok Dinka connected themselves to the North is no reason to deny their connection as part and parcel of the South. It was the Ngok Dinka choice then. It should also be their choice now to return to the South. However, our brethren, the Ngok Dinka should be patient not to provoke any confrontation for it is most likely an independent South Sudan will not forsake Abyei. The Ngok Dinka may need to continue dialogue with the Misseriya as they used to do in the old days for peaceful co-existence. The author can be reached at [email protected] COMMENTS, PLEASE CLICK HERE Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author(s) and do not represent those of the website. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
