Amid Sudan’s enduring conflict and South Sudan’s limited intervention, Abyei’s Dinka Ngok community leaders are advocating for an interim self-governance arrangement to address their region’s uncertain future. In a recent memorandum submitted to the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNISFA), they requested international backing for temporary autonomy, with the hope of resolving the region’s final status at a later stage, when Sudan and South Sudan reach consensus.
The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement originally awarded Abyei a special status and pledged a referendum to decide if the region would align with Sudan or South Sudan. However, this referendum has faced delays over voter eligibility, notably due to a disagreement about including the nomadic Misseriya tribe.
“It’s increasingly evident that Sudan is reluctant to lose Abyei, while South Sudan appears unwilling or unable to confront Sudan on this issue,” the memorandum states, reflecting the Dinka Ngok’s concern over the stalled process.
With ongoing violence in Sudan and South Sudan’s hesitation to intervene independently, the Dinka Ngok fear Abyei’s situation could worsen. They stress the urgent need to avoid further destabilization in the region, already deeply affected by years of conflict.
The memorandum also underscores the critical “statelessness” of Abyei’s residents, who lack recognized protection from a sovereign nation. Citing their right to self-governance under the 2005 agreement, the Dinka Ngok leaders call for recognition of their demands, including dual citizenship with both Sudan and South Sudan, as a means to resolve the impasse and uphold peace.