Day: February 14, 2022

Posted on

Warrap governor, Abyei leaders regret Ngok-Twic clashes over land dispute

The governor of South Sudan’s Warrap state and leaders of the contested region of Abyei have regretted a clash in which more than 33 lives have been lost and several others wounded in a conflict over a territorial claim.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Aleu Ayieng Aleu said that a conflict pitting members of Twic County in Warrap and a section of the Abyei community clashed over a territorial claim, causing destruction of properties and displacement of people.

“It is with great regret, sadness, and disbelief that the sisterly communities of Abyei and Twic have escalated their grievances over Agok/Anet town and the disputed borders to bloody clashes that have continued from February the 10th to February 11, 2022, reads a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

Governor Aleu offered condolences to the affected families on both sides and appealed to the two communities to deescalate the conflict.

He warned that people with different agendas would use it as an opportunity to advance their cause and agenda.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my condemnation to this conflict and the enemies of peace on both sides and warn external forces who would exploit this situation to further their sinister agenda on the destruction of the an independent republic of South Sudan”, warned Aleu.

The Abyei chief administrator, Kuol Deim Kuol condemned the unnecessary fight that claimed costed lives.

“The Aneet incident is a shame to all of us because we never expected it. The people we lost are South Sudanese brothers and sisters. Our eyes are always on our enemies and not ourselves. So, this issue will be addressed to come to an end”, said Kuol.

For his part, former Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Luka Biong Deng Kuol expressed regrets at how the dispute graduated into a deadly conflict.

Biong said he had always known his Ngok and Twic Community were one, having been united by a common cause during the war of liberation.

“We are just one community by blood. I again plead to each member of our two communities that the incident should not divide us, but it should encourage us to even strengthen our personal and communal relations to work together to bring culprits to book”, said Biong in a statement on Sunday.

Deng Alor Kuol, a minister of East Africa Affairs in South Sudan and a prominent leader of the Abyei community said he was shocked that the incident escalated beyond comprehension.

Deng said the incident exposed the level of accumulated grievances that were waiting for a spark. He said it was time the leaders from both sides come together to dialogue the way forward and resolve it.

Source: Sudan Tribune

Posted on

Achieving Civilian Political Leadership in Sudan

The future of Sudan and its transition from decades of dictatorship to democracy are in the hands, hearts and minds of the Sudanese people, and yet, the international community has a role to play in creating an environment conducive for genuine change.

The UNITAMS initiative has done important work in gathering information from the grassroots Resistance Committees, civil society, professional associations, the Diaspora and political parties regarding their political, social and economic objectives now and in the future. The compilation of this information by UNITAMS can help inform the next steps of the transition.

We know, however, that UNITAMS, does not have the necessary leverage or will, given its member states, to pressure those who are resistant to change to comply with the demands of the people. The UN Security Council was blocked from even making a statement as it witnessed an increase in atrocities and arbitrary detention of civilians by coup leaders. With each passing day, coup leader positions of power are further entrenched, and the vision of freedom, peace and justice becomes more distant.

Just as the Troika, in cooperation and coordination with the UN and IGAD, played a pivotal role in securing Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, it can again, play a direct role in creating a conducive environment for democratic transformation in Sudan. The Troika can lead efforts to apply the right pressures on coup leaders to relinquish power rather than accepting their involvement and acquiescing to their demands. This would not be easy, but it is an essential and complementary role in support of the courageous and determined struggle of the Sudanese people.

The author is the Founder of Sudan Unlimited

Source: Sudan Tribune

Posted on

Eritrean Skier Only African to Finish Men’s Olympic Slalom

Eritrea’s Shannon Ogbnai-Abeda placed 39th in the men’s giant slalom, the only African who managed to complete his run in the event.

A double blast of heavy snow and temperatures dropping to minus 22 degrees Celsius made the downhill race treacherous on Sunday, and only 46 of 87 skiers were able to finish the course.

Abeda clocked runs of one minute, 17.95 seconds and one minute, 22.50 seconds, totaling 2 minutes, 40.45 seconds.

Skiers from Ghana, Morocco and Madagascar were among those who did not complete the race.

The only African female skier in the women’s giant slalom, Madagascar’s Mialitiana Clerc, placed 41st out of the 49 skiers who finished the race.

In the men’s cross-country sprint, Nigeria’s Samuel Ikpefan came in 73rd out of 88 contestants.

Meanwhile, Jamaica made history at the Olympics fielding by its first Alpine skier.

Benjamin Alexander, a former DJ who took to the sport at age 32 six years ago, came in last out of the 46 skiers that completed the men’s giant slalom.

The 38-year-old said he was hopeful that his participation in the Olympics would be an inspiration to others. In December last year, Alexander told Time.com that ”my gold medal is walking in the opening ceremonies.”

Source: Voice of America