Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes in the contested area of Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan have disagreed on the location of a joint market in the area, during talks facilitated by the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The two sides held a meeting on Wednesday at Todach area (Um Balail) in the presence of the UNISFA Force Commander, Lt General Birhanu Jula Gelalcha.

Ambadi Kabashi, a Misseriya tribal leader, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that they attended that meeting, but they disagreed during the meeting. He stated that his tribe wanted the proposed joint market should be established within Abyei town whereas the Ngok Dinka rejected this.

 The Misseriya leader added that they agreed on the management of the joint market and the currency that would be used for trading. “They discussed the management of the market and agreed that it should be a joint market, so and they will be a joint committee to look into possible disagreements,” he said.

For his part, Chol Deng Chol, head of the Abyei chamber of commerce, confirmed that they disagreed during the meeting on the location of the proposed common market although they agreed on the Sudanese and South Sudanese pounds for transactions.

Chol explained that they suggested that the market should be based in Abaidat area (Lafat Bum). He pointed out that they have also not yet agreed on what to call the market. Apparently the Dinka Ngok do not wish to call it a “common market” or “joint market” as proposed by the Misseriya.

“Honestly, we did not call it joint market, we called it a market for mutual benefits, we don’t want anything to be shared,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UN Mission in Abyei issued a statement praising the latest dialogue between the two tribes on the planning of a market. But they also confirmed that the two sides failed to agree on the location.

“The two delegations found common ground on various issues. However, a site for the market is still to be agreed. The Misseriya and Ngok Dinka agreed that UNISFA would continue the initiative, and would bring the two communities together through mediation. Another joint meeting will be convened by UNISFA in the near future,” reads statement from UNISFA issued Wednesday.

Quoting the UNISFA commander Gelalcha, the statement says also that “the initiative is based on the desire of the two communities to resume trading activities, as a step towards building confidence, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence.”

“General Gelalcha emphasized that the establishment of a market would allow the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya to interact peacefully and carry out legitimate activities for their mutual benefit, which would further reinforce dialogue, and foster peace and reconciliation between the communities.”