South Sudan lawmaker urges Kiir to recognize 2013 Abyei referendum

JUBA – A South Sudan lawmaker has urged President Salva Kiir Mayardit to recognize the results of the controversial Abyei referendum of 2013 in which over 99 percent of the Ngok Dinka voted unilaterally to join the newly established Republic of South Sudan.

On October 2013, residents of the disputed Abyei region voted in a referendum that was opposed by the government of Sudan under President Omar al Bashir, to join South Sudan as provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was signed in 2005.

In a surprise move, the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba said the referendum was illegal and refused to recognize the results sparking public condemnation.

In an open letter to President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Hon. Salva Mathok Gengdit, a member of the reconstituted transitional parliament representing one of the constituencies of the restive Warrap state, said Sudan is making unilateral decisions including expelling Ethiopian forces who are part of the UNISFA peacekeeping force.

“Your Excellency, the negotiations of relieving Ethiopian Contingent (Forces) that were deployed in Abyei Administrative Area in 2012 to protect civilians population under UN mandate named ‘UNISFA’ until the status of Abyei is settled finally,” Mathok said.

“We learned that Sudan made conditions of Relief of Ethiopian Forces and replaced them with their own chosen Country. Your Excellency, although UNISFA forces did not do well to secure citizens of Abyei yet, the removal of that Ethiopian Contingent currently in Abyei should be according to the interest of Abyei people.

“The presence of Ethiopian Forces in Abyei Administrative Area has nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis of Sudan – Ethiopia border.

“Your Excellency, in 2011, the people of Abyei joined hands in a very peaceful and transparent election to determine their future through voting to be part of Sudan or South Sudan. The results of the election proved and showed to the International community that Abyei people are part of South Sudan. In fact, Abyei people are South Sudanese historically.

“Your Excellency, Here, in South Sudan, we shy away from recognizing the outcome of the elections of Ngok Dinka till now. The people of Abyei should have a right to choose the country of their choice that should be replaced instead of the Ethiopian Forces (UNISFA) Contingent in Abyei.

“Lastly, my appeal to AU, IGAD and the International Community to resolve the issue of Abyei – Ngok Dinka according to CPA and the elections results of 2011 that proved that the people of Abyei – Ngok Dinka have voted successfully to be part of South Sudan which is their land and origin.”