Abdelbagi reveals Twic leaders ready for dialogue
The committee investigating the stalemate between Ngok Dinka of Abyei Administrative Area and Twic of Warrap State has reported progress after the locals assured them of their willingness to ensure that peace prevails in the two areas.
The Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi, who doubles as the chairman of the committee to investigate the conflict between Ngok and Twic communities, released a statement yesterday assuring the public that they held fruitful meetings with Twic chiefs and traditional leaders and they accepted dialogue.
“We finished investigating Warrap State authorities and commanders of the organised forces in relation to circumstances surrounding the violent conflict. As a committee of inquiry, we have appreciated and welcomed their well-articulated position in ending hostilities built along with a shared communal identity. “
The vice president said in a Facebook post that the discussions with Twic traditional leaders revolved around the root causes of the conflict and the impacts and experiences of the conflict between the two communities.
He noted that they would first hold discussions with the youth and women representatives, the victims of the conflict, and the civil society organizations, then move to Anet for situation assessment and then proceed to Abyei to listen to their chiefs.
“Now, after talking to youth and women’s representatives, victims and civil society organizations, we shall move to Anet to assess the situation and proceed to Abyei town where similar processes will be carried out, including listening to Abyei Chiefs, too. A move to restore a shattered social relationship between Twic and Ngok Dinka,” Vice President Akol noted.
He concluded that they would not reveal the cause of the conflict or publicise it until they had unified the investigation from both sides.
Committee dispatched
More than two weeks ago, President Salva Kiir Mayardit, presided over the swearing-in of the committee to investigate the conflict between Ngok and Twic communities caused by the contested ownership of Anet/Agok town.
President Salva Kiir gave 21 days for the committee to establish facts in the areas affected by the conflict and immediately report back to the president.
“Immediately after being sworn in by the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit as Chairperson of the fact-finding committee on Anet incident, I called for a meeting to review all the committee’s plans and activities ahead of touring the conflict-affected areas to investigate what triggered off the clashes between Twic and Ngok, with the report to be presented to President in 21 days,” the vice president said in a statement.
VP Akol assured the public that the committee was made up of technocrats who would dig out the causes of the conflict within the set time limit.
“The fact-finding committee, comprised of technical and dedicated personalities, will tour the areas experiencing insecurity to deal with a wide range of responsibilities towards restoring tranquillity,” he added.
“President Salva Kiir Mayardit formed the Investigation Committee on 24th February 2022, to investigate the clashes that broke out on February 10, 2022, in Anet, and to come up with measures to deter the occurrence of such incidences in the future, “read the statement.
“The committee shall summit its findings and recommendations to the President of the Republic within 21 working days from the date of issuance of the order.”
Statistics
The conflict between Twic and Ngok communities occurred on February 10, 11 and 12, 2022, as both communities claimed the ownership of Anet/Agok town.
The report from Abyei community showed that seven people were killed, 10 wounded as women, children and the elderly were displaced. There were also reports of looting and destruction of property, including the burning of 180 houses and shops to ashes.
