More than 99 percent of Abyei’s nine Ngok Dinka sheikhdoms have voted in favour of joining South Sudan, according to the Abyei Referendum Committee.

The chairman of the Abyei referendum, Monyluak Alor, told Radio Tamazuj from Abyei, on Thursday, 31 October, that an estimated 63,433 people voted to join South Sudan, representing 99.89% of votes, with 0.2% voting to remain part of Sudan.

A total of 64,775 people were registered for the voting, out of which 63,433 voted. 362 turned in invalid ballot papers, said Alor.

The referendum in Abyei was implemented unilaterally, since the Misseriya nomadic tribe boycotted the referendum. They have threatened to defy the government of Sudan, if it does not stop the “frivolity in Abyei”.

The leaders of the Misseriya have delivered a petition to the Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, the South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit, the African Union and the United Nations demanding the cancellation of a unilateral referendum held by the Ngok Dinka in the contested area.

All agreements signed on Abyei with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) should be repealed, according to the Misseriya leaders.

The leaders have given an ultimatum of 72 hours to the bodies mentioned to meet their demands.  

In a press conference at the Federal Government Chamber in Khartoum, the Nazir of the Misseriya, El Amin Osman Harika, stated that what is taking place in the Abyei region is a gross violation of laws.

“The Ngok Dinka want to drag the neighbouring communities to the battle field. The Misseriya are ready for it!“ he said. “Either we live a decent live or we will be buried in Abyei land” Harika added.

File photo

Related:

 Counting of votes started in Abyei regions (30 October 2013)

Exclusive: Security undisrupted in northern Abyei throughout vote (29 October 2013)