Sudan welcomes Tut Gatluak-led Abyei committee

JUBA — The Sudanese government has welcomed the formation of a committee by President Salva Kiir Mayardit to follow up with Sudan over the final status of the disputed region of Abyei.

Kiir formed a ten-member committee on Monday and assigned his security advisor Tut Gatluak Manimeh as the chairman.

Other members of the group include minister of East African community affairs Deng Alor Kuol who is an Abyei citizen.

The committee is tasked with negotiating steps toward determination of the final status with the government of Sudan.

Kiir formed the committee rarely a week after a group of armed Arab criminals attacked a village in the disputed enclave killing at least twelve people and wounding dozens others.

Speaking after arrival in Juba on Tuesday, Mariam Sadig al Mahdi, the Sudanese foreign minister, said Sudan has welcomed the formation of the committee and stressed importance of resolving border issues with South Sudan.

“Borders are the basis for real economic, social and political integration. There must be no conflict over such areas,” the Sudanese foreign minister stated.

“We…[have] to address the issue…in order to achieve the goal of one people in two countries, and how we can work together,” she added.