08/12/2023
Positions of Ngok Dinka' Representatives on the order of SSPDF' CDF and Way forward
6th December 2023, the Representatives of the Abyei Area, in the Council of States, Civil Societies; and Chiefs held a press conference yesterday in the Capital city Juba, 5th December 2023, to comment on the order issued by 1st. Lt. Gen. Santino Deng Wol, the SSPDF' Chief of Defence Forces, on the continuation of the conflict between Dinka Ngok of Abyei and Twic Community of Warrap State.
1. In a press conference, Hon. Tabitha Chol Minyiel, Chairperson of Health Committee of the Council of States, appreciated the order and decision taken by Chief of Defence, to intervene in the conflict between the two sisterly communities and also to create a buffer zone to stop the ongoing attacks from the both sides, the order directed to form a joint unit from Division (3) and (11).
Hon. Tabitha, welcomed the initiative, but as representatives of Ngok Dinka in Juba, they have some concerns and reservations, she stated that; as all of you are aware, we have conducted a press conference on 19th November 2023, to condemn the involvement of elements from Division (3) under the command of Gen. Akuei Ajou, ditto, the elements from Division (11).
Furthermore, Hon. Tabitha, added that, Gen. Akuei, was accused of taking sides and fuelling the conflict in previous incidents, and it was obviously mentioned in the report of the Council of State' Committee, which was chaired by Hon. Angelo Beda, the member of the Council of States, hence, Gen. Akuei Ajou, has become biased and not neutral in this conflict.
in addition, Hon. Tabitha, added that; their reservations on participants of Division (11) is on its nature of formation, which Twic are majority, so it is not fair to assign the two divisions to silence the gun between the two communities.
Moreover, Hon. Hon. Tabitha, emphasizes that they welcomed the step taken by Gen. Santino Deng Wol, but their reservations should be taken seriously, to earn the trust of citizens on the ground, finally, she asked the SSPDF' leadership to deploy the proposed forces in the border between Abyei Area and Twic County not inside the Abyei Area.
2. Ms. Acheng Deng, the Chairperson of Youth Association in Juba, in her remarks, she appreciated the roles of SSPDF and the initiative of 1st Lt. Gen. Santino Deng Wol, SSPDF' Chief of Defence Forces, deploys more forces, in order to maintain the peace between Ngok Dinka of Abyei and Twic Community of Warrap State.
Ms. Acheng, added that as representative of Dinka Ngok, they have two reservations on Gen. Akuei Ajou, participates in providing protection and security, because he ordered elements from Division (3) under his command to take off their uniform and fight alongside the Twic youth on 19th November 2023.
In addition, Ms. Acheng Deng, raised a very impressive question, on how can Gen. Akuei Ajou, be part of peace efforts while he was the one who ordered some of his forces to take sides in communal conflict to fight civilians, then the question arises is that how can they guarantee the safety of Ngok people under the command of Gen. Akuei Ajou, while he already took sides.
Furthermore, Ms. Acheng, added that, Gen. Akuei, also tried to trigger war between the community of Ngok and Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazel State, after the 13th November incident of Ayoak in Alal County, by telling them that their people, particularly their sons are being killed by Ngok Youth, and this has caused a lot of tension between the two communities.
Ms. Acheng, asserted, how can Abyei people guarantee that he (Gen. Akuei Ajou) will not continue inciting more conflict given the fact that he is still a commander of Division (3).
In addition, Ms. Acheng, raised more reservations on Division (11) which is based in Twic County "Miyom Anyon" and the majority of the forces they are of Twic origin, and she further added; what is very interesting is that they are assigned officially to have an essential role in bringing peace between the two communities while they are involved in the communal conflict.
In her conclusion, Ms. Acheng, emphasizes their reservations as youth and rejected the order issued by CDF, and she advised Gen. Santino Deng, to deploy forces from other divisions except the two mentioning divisions of (3) and (11) because they have become parts of conflict.
3. Chief Ngor Mithiang Bagat, in his statement, followed suits of the previous speakers, and accused Gen. Akuei Ajou, the Commander of Division (3) of involvement in Ngok and Twic Communal conflict, as well, the Division (11) Known as Miyom Anyon.
In addition, Chief Ngor, rejected the order of Gen. Santino Deng Wol, to deploy elements of Division (11) to maintain the peace while they are indulging in this war since day one;
"as representative of Ngok Dinka and Abyei people we are much sure that our national army is capable of bringing peace in the region, but elements of Army who indulging themselves in this conflict should be barred from the efforts of stabilizing the situation after the two years of fighting" he said
Moreover, Chief Ngor, added to his statement that, last year the Unit from Division (4) commanded by Maj. Gen. Makal Kuol, were ordered by the same Gen. Santino Deng Wol, to rescue the situation and maintain the peace between the communities of Ngok and Twic, although, he (Gen. Makal ) managed to stabilize the region, but he was accused by the Twic community of not being neutral and biased to the side of Ngok, based on these allegations he was ordered immediately by Gen. Santino Deng Wol, SSPDF' Chief of Defence Forces, to withdraw his forces on the ground, and the mission was shifted to Division (3) and now simply the same thing should happen easily.
Furthermore, Chief Ngor Mithiang, accused Gen. Akuei Ajou, of allowing some of his elements to participate in the looting of Agok Town when his forces were deployed to the Area. Additionally, he retreated their readiness to welcome any neutral force as they do with Tiger Division who are currently deployed widely in Agok Town and they have used Schools, Health and Administration premises, as camps, despite Ngok Dinka reservations about the presence of National Army within the Residential Premises upto date.
4. Chief Malual Yak, the Paramount Chief of Ngok Dinka in Juba, commence his remarks by regretting and condemning the ongoing fighting between Ngok and Twic, and stated that; this war is imposed on them and while they are in self defence position, protecting their land, people; and properties against the barbaric attacks of Twic.
Over and above, Chief Malual, concluded his remarks by refusing any roles to be levelled on Division (3) and (11) besides Gen. Akuei Ajou, and calling for formation of a joint neutral Unit, that should be a multiple Tribes not a certain one as the case in division (11) in which Twic are the majority of it, the neutral proposed Unit if achieved, can play vital roles in these critical moments.
On the other hand, Chief Malual, called the wise men from Twic, to join their hands so peace could prevail between the two communities so this meaningless war can be curbed and saved the lives of Ngok and Twic innocent people.
5. Mrs. Elizabeth Doualbit, the Chairperson of Abyei Women in Juba, started her remarks by concurring with previous statements made by those who are participating in the Press Conference, Elizabeth, accused Gen. Akuei Ajou, of taking sides in conflict, and she going further, to accuse, Gen. Akuei, of suspicions of his part in assassination of Hon. Mayot Kundit, the former Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Public Utilities and also the former Commissioner of Rum-mamer County.
Furthermore, Mrs. Elizabeth Doualbit, added that; Ngok Dinka of Abyei Area, are for peace and not war, therefore, they are calling for replacement of Division (3) and (11) as well, she asked Gen. Santino Deng Wol, SSPDF' Chief of Defence, acted as he did when the Twic community accused Maj. Gen. Makal Kuol, from Division (4) of being biased and he was excluded immediately by Gen. Santino, while he was doing a professional and great job, hence, she pointed out the attention of Gen. Santino, that time has come to do the same thing and decision with Gen. Akuei Ajou.
Likewise, Hon. Tabitha Chol Minyiel, the Chairperson of Health Committee, Council of State, summarized the Press Conference by welcoming the efforts of Gen. Santino Deng Wol, SSPDF' Chief of Defence, deploys more forces so they can be able to create a buffer zone, moreover, she emphasizes that they are opening for any efforts and good offices for ending the meaningless war and to bring the two communities again together.
Finally, Hon. Tabitha Chol, retreated their call to the Presidency to intervene in solving the conflict between Ngok Dinka of Abyei Area and Twic Community of Warrap State, further, she called for implementation of the resolutions of the Council of State's Ad- Hoc Committee.
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