The committee investigating the recent Twic-Ngok Dinka clashes arrived in Abyei town on Wednesday to interview officials and people there.
The committee, formed by President Salva Kiir and headed by the Vice President for the services cluster, Hussien Abdelbagi Akol, last week spent two weeks in and completed carrying out interviews in Twic County of Warrap State.
In February, deadly clashes erupted between youths from the Ngok Dinka of Abyei Administrative Area and the Twic community in Warrap State. The armed Twic youth attacked Aneet market in Abyei setting sections of it on fire and resultant fighting continued for more than ten days claiming many lives and leaving scores injured.
Ajang Deng Miyen, the Abyei administrative Area information minister told Radio Tamazuj Thursday that Abyei Chief Administrator Kuol Deng Kuol welcomed Vice President Abdelbagi and his accompanying delegation on Wednesday.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) the Abyei government welcomed the vice president and his accompanying delegation to Abyei town and the purpose of their visit is to investigate the recent fighting which occurred for the first time between Abyei youth and armed Twic youth,” Minister Deng said. “The vice president was briefed by the chief administrator about the security situation, including frequent attacks on the people of Abyei by Messiriya tribesmen.”
Meanwhile, Chol Puor, the Rumamer County commissioner, appreciated the national committee for coming to the ground to get actual facts.
“Vice President Hussein was welcomed by the people of Rumamer at Agok airport and the youth, women, civil society, and chiefs of the county are ready to voice their concerns to him,” Commissioner Puor said. “His coming is very important so that he will listen about the clashes which displaced many people and created enmity between Dinka Ngok and the people of Twic County for the first time in the history of South Sudan.”