Abyei Crisis should be a Wakeup Call

As the time goes by, the problem of Abyei is getting more complicated than ever. I think that SPLM should have encouraged sons and daughters of Abyei to step forward in term of leadership.

For instance, in Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile regions the unfinished work of liberation "popular consultation" is being perused by their local leaders. The northern ruling party is not seeing a serious leadership from Drinka Ngok. The popular slogan that Abyei is the southern Sudan land 100% has actually minimised the real chances of political settlement with the North. It's also becoming obvious that SPLM's leaders tend to forget that there is a separate protocol on the resolution of the conflict in Abyei as part of CPA.

Our late national leader, Dr John Garang with his entire political genius addressed Abyei issue as a special entity. Let's not confuse ourselves by blaming the North always for everything, our ruling clique are confusing and mixing up issues for their survival in the power. I carefully watched and listened to the minister of information Dr. Barnaba Benjamin Marial's press conference concerning Abyei occupation. He was spinning without stating the concrete policy on the issue.

The controversial definition of the Republic of south Sudan is the three regions plus Abyei according to SPLM in the proposal constitution. It is crystal clear that the future of the south has been tied up with Abyei even thought the dispute is not settled. And what about the other marginalised people who fought for the new Sudan?

It's supposed to be the time for the post referendum arrangements and broader demarcation but because of misguided diplomacy the south is in a critical crisis. If the southern ruling party had taken on board   the south Sudan political parties' views about the transitional constitution, the north would not have occupied Abyei.

The current style of leadership in Juba must change fundamentally in order to avoid further humiliation by the north. The crisis has shown how unprepared our highly funded security organs are. For without an accommodating leadership to mobilise people for the national development, the foe will come back.

By/ Daneil Ater Deng -USA

The writer is a concerned south Sudanese in USA; he can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.