The Sudan and South Sudan Conflict Over Abyei Since The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement
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Date
2015-04
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
he objective of the study is to investigate and analyze the major factors that precipitate
the conflict between the Sudan and South Sudan over Abyei in the aftermath of the 2005
Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In doing so, a qualitative case study research method
was used. The conflict over ownership of Abyei’s renewable and nonrenewable resources
has become a contentious issue between the Government of Sudan and the Government of
South Sudan. The situation became more complicated when the Ngok Dinka and Humr
Misseriya endure strong but damaging mutual reciprocal relations with their respective
governments. Moreover, lack of agreement on who should be considered a resident of
Abyei between the two governments derailed the Referendum on Abyei’s future status.
Given historical experiences and the issue of identity, the Humr Misseriya have rejected
the Abyei Protocol and other subsequent agreements/ decisions and proposals. Because
of political and economic reasons, the Government of Sudan is also behind the Humr
Misseriya’s concern. For long time, the two communities had been resolving their
conflicts using traditional values and customs, in recent time, however, these values and
customs are not functional as traditional leaders from both communities are manipulated
by the political elites in Sudan and South Sudan. To rectify such predicament, the two
governments and communities need to work for their mutual benefits based on agreed
principles set out in Abyei Protocol, as well as those stipulated by the Permanent Court
of Arbitration (PCA) and African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP). This line could, in the final analysis, lead to the building of durable peace in Abyei and
other contested areas across the border of the two countries.
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Keywords
Abyei, Abyei Protocol, Ngok Dinka, Humr Misseriya, Sudan, South Sudan, CPA, political economy