Abdelbagi urges victims of Anet conflict to return home
The Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, has urged the victims of the Anet conflict to return to their homes.
Abdelbagi, who is also the Chairperson of the High-level Committee on the Anet Conflict, directed the military commanders in the area to order their forces to obey the law and to protect the returnees.
“(We) have just concluded talking to commanders of the joint military forces at Rumkor joint military unit in Rumamer County. As a committee, (we) have called on the joint military commanders to orient their forces to keep law and order in their military operations in conflict situations, “he said.
“As the situation, normalises, (we) have called on the Anet residents seeking safety in the neighbouring villages on both sides of the conflict to return home and resume their economic activities in Anet, with a joint military deployment in and outside Anet to address insecurity,” Abdelbagi said.
The committee also visited Rumkor military unit, where they briefed the Abyei Independent Force and the 7-A brigade of Division 3 so that they could exercise their duty of protecting the citizens.
“(The) motive for this visit, is to assess the condition of the joint military operations and listen and talk to the commanders of the joint military deployment, in regard to their role of protection, in conflict situations,” he noted.
Progress report
Two weeks ago, the VP said the committee had recorded a promising response from the Twic community, which demonstrated a willingness for dialogue to resolve the wrangles between Dinka Ngok and Dinka Twic of Warrap over the ownership of Anet and Agok.
“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, “Abdelbagi stated.
He revealed that their discussions with Twic traditional leaders revolved around the causes of the conflict, the impacts, and the experiences of the two communities affected by the conflict.
“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 added.
VP Abdelbagi maintained that the committee would not disclose the causes of the conflict between the two communities until the investigation is completed from the two conflicting communities.
Committee dispatched
During the swearing-in of the high-level committee, President Salva Kiir gave the group 21 days to report back to him.
Abdelbagi said the fact-finding committee was comprised of technocrats, capable of finding out the causes of the conflict within the given time limit.
“The fact-finding committee, comprising technical and dedicated personalities, will tour the areas experiencing insecurity to deal with a wide range of responsibilities towards restoring tranquillity,” he added.
“The committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the President of the Republic within 21 working days from the date of issuance of the order.”
The committee was formed by President Salva Kiir on February 24, 2022, to investigate clashes that broke out on February 10, 2022, and continued on February 11, and February 12, 2022.
At least seven people were confirmed dead by the Abyei community, and another 10 were wounded. About 180 houses were burned to ashes, and an unconfirmed number of properties were looted by the attackers.
