Political and tribal leaders of the Misseriya Arab tribe have become increasingly vocal ahead of the Sudan elections in April, with at least one leader calling for the Sudanese army to take control of the disputed Abyei region.
Sudan’s military has occupied Abyei before, most notably in a rapid takeover in 2011. Since their withdrawal, UN peacekeeping forces have deployed in the area.
Abdul Rasul Al Nur, a leader of the Misseriya tribe, stated in the Al-Tagheer newspaper published in Khartoum on Monday that the takeover is justified by a significant administrative vacuum in the area and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.
He said the security has continued to deteriorate in South Sudan, arguing that the establishment of institutions and administration would help protect citizens in the region.
Abdul Rasul stressed that until a referendum is held in Abyei then the area should be considered part of Sudanese territory.
Abyei was guaranteed a referendum under the terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005. Under the terms of the deal, the poll should have occurred concurrently with the South Sudan referendum in 2011, but it never took place.
In frustration, in 2013 leaders of the Ngok Dinka tribe organized a ‘community referendum’ to join South Sudan, but the poll was not recognized by either Sudan or South Sudan.
Meanwhile, press in Sudan have also reported that President Omar al Bashir will visit (northern) Abyei this week as part of his campaign for the president as candidate of the National Congress Party.
He is also expected in Al-Fula in the Misseriya-inhabited West Kordofan state.
Related coverage:
Misseriya attack Abyei village; UN peacekeepers fight back (3 March)
UNISFA arrests 11 Misseriya tribesmen over robbery attempt (4 Feb.)