The Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities from the Western, Eastern, and Central corridors of the disputed Abyei area which straddles the border of South Sudan and Sudan on 12 December signed an agreement to ensure a peaceful migration season.
According to a Saturday press statement from the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), the agreement was signed at the end of a four-day seasonal pre-migration conference, bringing together 154 representatives from the two communities.
“The leaders pledged to protect communities along the migration corridors while collaborating with UNISFA to apprehend offenders and ensure accountability. They also agreed to regulate livestock movement, develop guidance on managing the environment, and ensure sustainable resource sharing,” the statement reads in part. “To strengthen oversight and monitoring of the three migration corridors, they committed to strengthening youth and women representation in the corridor committees.”
The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNISFA, Major General Robert Affram, stressed the need for continuous dialogue and commended the increasing inclusion of women and youth in peace negotiations.
“We are encouraged by the active participation of women and youth, which shows increased commitment to ensuring more inclusive decision-making processes,” he said. “I urge you to embrace the spirit of inclusion so that these resolutions are carried to the grassroots to guarantee a peaceful migration season.”
Gen. Affram pledged UNISFA’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the conference’s outcome and ensuring a peaceful migration period.
UNISFA, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Concordis International facilitated the conference, which was held in Noong village, north of Abyei town.
Key deliberations focused on ensuring community-driven mechanisms for conflict resolution. The agreement highlighted the critical role of women and youth in mediating disputes over land, grazing, and water resources, which participants agreed had contributed to a reduction in conflicts. There was consensus on previously contentious issues, which now reflects growing social cohesion and trust between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities.
“Youth and women representatives, whose participation was higher than in past sessions, emphasized the shared responsibility in ensuring peaceful coexistence and ensuring that communities join hands to deter peace spoilers from disrupting the current peace in the area,” the statement said. “They pledged to act as ambassadors in disseminating the resolutions of the conference to grassroots communities. Meanwhile, participants emphasized the need to strengthen engagement with the community and counter misinformation, especially during the migration period.”