South Sudan urges murder investigation

Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan, urged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to initiate an urgent investigation into the assassination of Kuol Deng Majok last Saturday in the disputed Abyei border region. Kiir demanded that the offenders be brought to justice. Speaking at the Dinka Ngok tribal leader’s memorial ceremony, Kiir said Bashir would be considered responsible for Majok’s death should the Sudanese president fail to make serious progress towards resolving the murder case. The South Sudanese president further urged Bashir to accept African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki’s proposal, which stipulates a referendum that would allow permanent residents of Abyei to determine the region’s future. The Abyei population is dominated by the Dinka Ngok tribe. Sudan has objected to Mbeki’s initiative on the grounds that it privileges the Dinka Ngok, affiliated with South Sudan, and effectively excludes the nomadic Misseriya tribe, which travels south into Abyei for a few months every year to graze cattle. Kiir requested that all permanent Abyei residents register to vote in an October referendum. He added that South Sudan is committed to complying with African Union-brokered agreements signed last March.  The South Sudanese president confirmed that he will visit Khartoum soon to smooth out remaining issues. Khair Fahim, the chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Abyei, asserted that the region’s status must be determined by the Sudanese and South Sudanese governments.   Fahim told Arabstoday that communications had come to a standstill recently, but asserted that the Supervisory Committee planned to renew contact with the southern side soon, with the help of African Union emissaries who will mediate discussions. The chairman added that it is highly unlikely that members of the Misseriya tribe murdered Kuol Deng Majok, claiming that it is against their traditions to kill any tribal leaders whatsoever. He suggested that a third party may have been involved in the exchange of fire that led to the leader's death. Fahim noted that a memorial ceremony was held for the Sultan in Khartoum on Friday commemorating his commitment to the peaceful coexistence of Misseriya and Dinka Ngok people in Abyei. Former Abyei administrator Majid Yak issued a statement encouraging the Sudanese and South Sudanese presidents to make a concerted effort to attain security and stability in the Abyei area. Yak emphasised that bringing Majok’s murderers to justice was the first step towards achieving this goal.