Showing posts with label Abyei. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abyei. Show all posts

Friday, February 09, 2024

South Sudan: Thousands displaced by fighting in Abyei, 100 people killed including UN peacekeepers

Cartoon credit: Cartoonist Adija @AdijaAcuil 

Caption: "Abyei and the Stakeholders 

#SSOX #UN #UNSC #AU #IGAD #UNISFA"

Source: https://twitter.com/AdijaAcuil/status/1727616044544512400 

Nov 23, 2023

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"The UN says more than 2,200 people, most of them women and children, are sheltering at one of its compounds in Rumajak, about 7km (4 miles) north of Abyei town. The humanitarian body also says it is beefing up land and air patrols to deter further violence". Read more.

From BBC News
By Anne Soy, BBC News, Nairobi
Dated Friday, 9 February 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Thousands forced out by fighting in disputed Abyei region

Humanitarian agencies have warned that two weeks of fighting in the oil-rich region of Abyei on the border between Sudan and South Sudan have led to widespread displacement and hindered efforts to distribute aid.


Both countries jointly administer Abyei and claim ownership of the region.


The clashes have been linked to conflict between rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group - called the Ngok and the Twic.


Close to 100 people including UN peacekeepers have been killed.


Britain, the US and Norway - known as the Troika - have called on the South Sudanese government to hold accountable those behind the attacks.


Save the Children also says there have been incidents of looting of health and nutrition supplies at one of its health facilities.


The UN says more than 2,200 people, most of them women and children, are sheltering at one of its compounds in Rumajak, about 7km (4 miles) north of Abyei town. The humanitarian body also says it is beefing up land and air patrols to deter further violence.


Click here to view original. 

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Cartoon credit: Cartoonist Adija @AdijaAcuil 

Caption “No comment. #SSOT”. 

Source: https://twitter.com/AdijaAcuil/status/1665807379034767367 

Jun 5, 2023


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Tuesday, February 06, 2024

South Sudan: Origins of the Ngok-Twic conflict

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The above Feb 4 post at X by Eddie Thomas contains an informative thread.

From Small Arms Survey (as per link in above Feb 4 post at X by Lauren Blanchard @LaurenBinDC):

Origins of the Ngok–Twic conflict 

The Ngok and Twic Dinka are historically very close. Friction only emerged in 2017, when the Abyei Area Administration (AAA) began a land registry in Annet, a bustling market near Agok, in southern Abyei. The Twic Dinka denounced the land registry, which was subsequently halted. The putative reason for this discontent was that some Twic Dinka claimed that Agok and Annet are located within Twic county, Warrap state. The Ngok Dinka, however, consider the boundaries of Abyei to have been determined by a decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2009, and Agok and Annet to be part of their territory. The Twic’s claim to these territories is very recent in origin and is not actually about long-standing territorial disagreements, but rather an attempt to control Annet and the humanitarian hub in Agok, where many international NGOs based themselves following SAF’s invasion of Abyei. 

Twic claims to southern Abyei are bound up in the mutual marginalization of the two communities. The Ngok Dinka feel forgotten by a South Sudanese government intent on forging a relationship with Khartoum. The Twic, too, feel marginalized; the removal of Bona Panek (the then Twic governor of Warrap) and his replacement by Aleu Ayieny Aleu saw the Twic lose influence in Kuajok and Juba (Craze, 2022). The Twic saw the weakness of Ngok Dinka as an opportunity. Agok’s status as a humanitarian hub and the tax base offered by Annet have provided a source of income for the AAA. Twic county has seen almost no economic development and, like the rest of South Sudan, has suffered from a government in Juba bent on the illegitimate acquisition of resources (Craze, 2023). Twic county is not alone: communities across the country have made exclusive claims to control of territory and resources in response to the exploitation of the country by politicians in Juba, and the withdrawal of the government from the provision of wages and services (Craze and Marko, 2022). 


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Monday, February 05, 2024

What's behind the renewed violence in the disputed Abyei region along South Sudan's border with Sudan?






THE below copied Feb 1, 2024 post at X microblogging platform is by Akol Miyen Kuol @AkolMiyenKuol. Based in Nairobi, Kenya and popularly known as Akoldit, he has authored several books including @AbyeiStatus and is a poet, journalist, political analyst and peace advocate. He was born in the oil-rich region of Abyei in 1974 and has lived in Khartoum | Ex @BBC | Ex @NDI | Ex @UNICEF | #Sudan | #SouthSudan | #Abyei | amazon.com/Books-Akol-Miy… 
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VIDEO report from Aljazeera.com
By Inside Story
Dated Tuesday, 30 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

What’s behind the renewed violence on South Sudan’s border with Sudan?

More than 50 people were killed in the violence along the border between Sudan and South Sudan.


The disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan is under curfew after attacks by a South Sudanese rebel group.


More than 50 people were killed in the violence, including women, children and UN peacekeepers.


The area has been volatile for many years, with inter-communal conflict and competing claims by the neighbours.


International peace efforts have essentially stalled since the conflict in Sudan began last year.


South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, but quickly plunged into war.


A peace deal was reached in 2018.


Will this latest violence threaten that agreement? And what’s the effect on the people?


Presenter: Sami Zeidan


Guests: 


Kennedy Mabongo – Country director for the aid agency Norwegian Refugee Council in South Sudan

Douglas Johnson – Scholar on Sudan and South Sudan who served on the Abyei Border Commission

Joshua Craze – Researcher on Sudan and South Sudan who’s been in contact with parties to the conflict in Abyei in the past few days


Video: Duration 28 minutes 00 seconds


To view original and video click here: https://aje.io/ujsxxk


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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

South Sudan President Kiir orders strict border control with Sudan

From Sudan Tribune JUBA, South Sudan
Dated Friday, January 12, 2024 - here is a copy in full:

South Sudan president orders strict border control with Sudan

President Salva Kiir


JUBA, January 12, 2024 – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has ordered a crackdown on illicit movement and activities along the country’s border with Sudan, citing concerns that these activities could undermine national security.


The directive was issued during a high-level meeting held on Thursday to address the recent escalation of communal tensions in the greater Bahr El Ghazal region. The president expressed particular concern about the possibility of illicit firearms entering the country from Sudan and being used in the ongoing conflicts between communities in Abyei, Warrap, and Western Bahr El Ghazal States.


“You must work together to control your borders, especially with Sudan,” Kiir said. “Some people may take advantage of our gesture of allowing brothers and sisters from Sudan to flee the current conflict and use it as an opportunity to deal in arms. This will undermine the security of our borders. So, coordinate your efforts with relevant institutions at all government levels.”


The president also condemned the violence and directed the Chief Administrator of Abyei and the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal States to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and engage with relevant stakeholders to restore peace between the affected communities.


Presidential Affairs Minister Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro told SSBC TV that all four governors of Bahr El Ghazal, as well as the governor of Unity State and the chief administrators of Abyei and Ruweng, unanimously agreed to an immediate end to hostilities and the deployment of security forces to facilitate the free movement of people, goods, and services in the affected areas.


Bakasoro also revealed that a comprehensive document outlining the full resolutions of the meeting will soon be released to the relevant institutions for implementation. He added that the high-level meeting demonstrated a strong commitment to consolidating peace and security nationwide.


The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Tong Akeen Ngor; Governor of Warrap, Kuol Muor Muor; governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal, Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial; Governor of Unity State, Joseph Nguen Monytuil; governor of Lakes, State, Riny Tueny Mabior; Abyei Chief Administrator Chol Deng Alaak; and Ruweng Chief Administrator, Stefano Wieu.


In addition, the meeting was attended by several presidential aides and ministers, including the minister of presidential affairs, Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro; Minister of information, Michael Makuei Lueth; deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Ramadan Abdallah Goch; presidential special envoy Benjamin Bol Mel; presidential advisor on national security affairs Tut Gatluak; the chief of defence forces of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces General Santino Deng Wol; Director General of the Internal Bureau of National Security Services, Akol Koor Kuc; and Inspector General of Police, Atem Marol Biar. (ST)


View original: https://sudantribune.com/article281222/


ENDS

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Sudan: Janjaweed RSF militia chief Hemeti met with South Sudanese officials from Abyei in Nairobi Jan 3

ACCORDING to this article, the primary purpose of the meeting cited was to follow up on previous discussions held in Khartoum regarding the final status of Abyei and the repatriation of Abyei citizens who had sought refuge in Sudan prior to the Sudanese crisisWho is giving Hemeti such confidence and authority to attend to such matters? Who is in charge of Sudan? Let's not forget, in 2020 Russia signed a deal with Sudan for a naval base in the Red Sea, in return Russia will provide arms and training for Sudan's military.

Read more from Sudan Tribune
Dated Sunday, 07 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Sudanese RSF leader pledges safe passage for Abyei and South Sudan returnees

Hemetti met with several South Sudanese officials from Abyei area in Nairobi on January 3, 2023 [2024?]


January 7, 2024 (JUBA) – General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti”, the head of the Sudanese paramilitary group Rapid Support Force (RSF), has reaffirmed his commitment to facilitate the safe return of Abyei natives and South Sudanese nationals who have fled the conflict in Sudan.


The pledge was made during a meeting with Abyei leaders Francis Mading Deng and Luka Biong Deng in Nairobi, Kenya on January 3, 2024. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, was characterized as amicable, open, and forward-looking by Francis Kuol, a former Sudan cabinet affairs minister.


The primary purpose of the meeting was to follow up on previous discussions held in Khartoum regarding the final status of Abyei and the repatriation of Abyei citizens who had sought refuge in Sudan prior to the Sudanese crisis. Francis Deng, who has also engaged in similar discussions with General Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, in New York, USA during his participation to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2022, added that he had also held similar dialogues with General Malik Agar, the Deputy Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, during his visits to Juba.


The Abyei leaders expressed their appreciation to Daglo for his endeavours to bring an end to the brutal civil war in Sudan and his historic diplomatic initiatives to neighbouring African countries in pursuit of peace.


The meeting touched upon three critical issues: peace in Sudan, the potential role of South Sudan under the leadership of President Salva Kiir in facilitating Sudanese peace, and the repatriation of Abyei natives displaced and stranded in RSF-controlled areas.


Deng highlighted the pivotal role that South Sudan, under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, could play in mediating Sudanese peace. He emphasized the urgent need to establish secure conditions to enable the return of Abyei citizens displaced by the conflict in Sudan and the crucial role of the RSF in securing transit routes for the return of South Sudanese citizens.


The authorization of the meeting by President Salva Kiir and members of his administration remains unclear. The South Sudanese ambassador in Kenya declined to comment when asked if he had been informed of the arrangement.


Hemetti, heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Force, which has been engaged in a war against the Sudan Armed Forces under the command of its chief and Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, since April 2023.


The RSF has been out of the public eye for several months. He utilized this period to embark on diplomatic missions to neighbouring countries and participate in global events and functions.


In late December 2023, the head of the Sudanese paramilitary group made his first wartime diplomatic trip to Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni. He also met with leaders from Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda. (ST)


View original: https://sudantribune.com/article281083/

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Further Reading


The Maritime Executive - 13 December 2017

Russia Moves Forward with Syrian Naval Base - excerpt:

"For Russia, a naval base in Syria . . . is always a place where Russian navy men can take a short rest and hold quick repairs, if necessary. Taking into account that the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are of strategic importance for world security, Russian forces should stay here indefinitely," said Mikhail Nenashev, chairman of the All-Russian Fleet Support Movement, speaking to Pravda.


The base at Tartus has been under Russian control since 1971, and Russia finalized a 74-year renewal agreement with Syria in January with a 49-year lease followed by a 25-year automatic extension. The enlarged facility will operate outside of Damascus' legal jurisdiction, and Syria will not interfere with any military activities related to its operation. Separately, Russia has also renewed its lease on a military airbase in Western Syria for a period of 50 years. 

Full story: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/russia-moves-forward-with-syrian-naval-base

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The Maritime Executive - 09 December 2020

Russia Signs Deal With Sudan for Naval Base on the Red Sea - excerpt:

The agreement provides the Russian Navy with access to Port Sudan for a period of 25 years, with automatic renewal every decade thereafter. It may keep up to four naval vessels at a time at the port, including nuclear-powered vessels - an important consideration for Russia's submarine fleet. For logistics, Russian forces have permission to use Sudanese ports and airports to deliver any needed "weapons and equipment" to keep the port running. On-base manning is limited to 300 Russian personnel. 


In return, Russia will provide arms and training for Sudan's military, extending a role it already plays in the country. Last year, Russia and Sudan signed a seven-year agreement that provides the Sudanese government with military support, and Russian military advisors have participated in Sudanese public security operations. 

Full story: https://maritime-executive.com/article/russia-signs-deal-with-sudan-for-naval-base-on-the-red-sea

ENDS