Ayom Ateny Ayom, a Ngok Dinka leader in the contested area of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan says the tribe have rejected any attempt to organize a peace and reconciliation conference between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka in the area.

This comes after the Ngok Dinka leader in Khartoum Zachariah Atem called for a peace and reconciliation conference between the two tribes in the area and argued that Abyei area should be included in the Sudanese elections slated for April.   

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the tribal leader condemned Zachariah’s statements. He accused the Misseriya of committing crimes against innocent people including children in Abyei. Radio Tamazuj could not reach Misseriya traditional leaders to comment on the statement.  

Previously, Ngok Dinka leaders have set as a precondition for reconciliation talks with the Misseriya that the perpetrators of the killing of Paramount Chief Kuol Deng be brought to justice.

Photo: Zacharia Atem, prominent NCP member and Ngok Dinka leader in Khartoum