Traditional leaders of the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities held two meetings at Diffra in the disputed region of Abyei on 16 March and 9 April.
The two meetings were attended by both the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya paramount chiefs. The meetings were facilitated by the United Nations’ Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
The meetings of 16 March and 9 April took place at a time of heightened intercommunity tensions in Abyei Area. The Nai Nai-Kolom attacks of 19 and 22 January had resulted in a stalling of the southward transhumance of the Misseriya cattle, pending an agreement by leaders of both communities on the way forward.
“During the 16 March meeting in Diffra, the two sides assured of their commitment to peace and security in Abyei Area and agreed to meet again in April after consultations with their communities,” UNISFA said in a statement on Friday.
It added, “While no written agreement was reached during the 9 April meeting, both sides reiterated their commitment to peace and agreed to meet again, in a wider format, once COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.”
The mission has vowed to continue supporting regular interaction between the two communities, including through the Joint Community Peace Committee.
In line with the UN Secretary General’s call for a global ceasefire, UNISFA urged both communities and their respective leadership to take forward the peace process with vision and courage.