Two Twic youth trapped in Abyei freed

(radiotamazuj.org)

Two youth from Twic county in South Sudan’s Warrap state, who were previously trapped in Abyei town, have been successfully reunited with their families.

Madhieu Ayuel Kiir, a Twic native, was arrested in Abyei last month on charges of conspiracy, particularly the alleged provision of information to Twic youth for coordinating an attack on the people of Abyei.

Despite denying the charges during an official investigation, Madhieu faced arrest by local youth. On the other hand, Tong found himself trapped in Abyei due to insecurity along the Twic-Abyei road while trying to return home from Tefek, located far north of Abyei town.

The two youth were airlifted to Wau by the United Nations Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) and subsequently handed over to their families in the presence of community leaders from both Twic and Ngok of Abyei.

During the handover in Wau, Abyei policing community coordinator, Lual Chol, provided an explanation for the initial arrests of the two youths.

“I brought these two boys, both from Twic- Madhieu Ayuel Kiir and Akot Atem Ayuel. They were in separate locations; Madhieu had been in Abyei for the last two years. He was accused on the 9th of last month of providing information to his people in Twic,” explained Chol.

“He was arrested by youth, and he was working with social welfare. After receiving information, Madhieu was taken by social welfare to the police. He remained with us in police custody until the investigation was completed, and he was subsequently released,” clarified Chol.

“While our brother Akot was in Tefek, attempting to travel to Twic, he faced difficulties doing so independently. Consequently, he voluntarily reported himself to the police. Today, we brought them to Wau and handed them over to their people,” he explained.

Warrap State chief representative Madut Makuic, who received the two youth, expressed his appreciation for the actions taken by the Abyei authority.

“You have heard from the policing community representative in Abyei, yes, these people are now received at the UN airstrip in Wau. I have received them. I really thank the community of Abyei and UNISFA in Abyei for such cooperation that could take us forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, Alor Deng Kor, the Abyei community leader in Wau, described the reception of the two youth as a positive indication of peace and stability between Abyei and Twic. “We don’t want to fuel the conflict but we want to put off the fire so that Twic and Ngok go back to their previous coexistence because what had happened in the past is not acceptable,” Alor said.

He further highlighted the significance of the youth in maintaining integrity, stating, “Two weeks ago, we also handed over young men at these ages, and these are the future. These are the people that can help in protecting our integrity with the Arab because Abyei does not only belong to Ngok people but it belongs to the people of South Sudan, particularly our nearest neighbours, the Twic.”

“The people who can protect our border are these youths, and if we engage in wrongdoing, it will be a loss for us all as a country. I really thank the administration of UNISFA and the Abyei administration until this is achieved,” he added.

Kor called for the immediate reopening of free movement between Abyei and Twic.

A conflict over land dispute has persisted between the two communities of Abyei and Twic despite mediation attempts by community leaders and authorities.