The head of Sudan’s National Youths & Students Authority to Advocate for Abyei has accused the United Nations mission there of preventing Ngok Dinka and Misseriya tribes from the entering the area.

Mahmud Ibrahim Abdel-Karim, the leader of the Authority called on the UN Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) to operate in accordance with their mandate, which requires to allow people from both groups to return to their areas of origin. 

In a press statement, Abdel-Karim said the voluntary return of the Dinka and Misseriya tribes to Abyei will bring about stability, development and peace in the contested region. Both South Sudan and Sudan claim the territory. He also said their return would boost agricultural production in the area.

State-run media reported that UNISFA prevented 5,000 Dinka and Misseriya families from entering the area.