The Chief of Diil, one of the Ngok Dinka nine chiefdoms has called on residents of Rumamer County in Abyei Special Administrative Area to return to their villages.
Chief Arop Kuol Kon made the call on Tuesday 2nd April 2024 in a statement to Abyei FM. He said there are security guarantees after the arrival of the new SSPDF to Agok. He noted that the cultivation season is approaching which is very important for producing food to prevent scarcity next year. The chief said his meeting with the new SSPDF commander assured him of the situation noting that the Gen. promised civilians’ protection.
“The SSPDF commander told me that the forces were deployed to make peace between Ngok and Twic,” he told Abyei FM.
Garang Mithiang Arop said they wanted to return to Agok because they couldn’t practice agriculture in Abyei Town, saying that returning to Agok would reduce class congestion in schools.
On her part, Nyanaguek Malou said they desired to go back to Agok, but fear of insecurity prevented them from doing so. She says she doesn’t trust the SSPDF deployed in Abyei recently.
Abyei FM is yet to get a comment from the SSPDF commander in Agok as contacting him was not possible.
In January, President Kiir issued decrees ordering the cessation of hostilities, and deployment of forces in hot spot areas in Warrap and Abyei Administrative Area to quell the conflict between Ngok and Twic communities on the one hand and between Apuk and Wau on the other hand.
