By Ngor Deng Matem
A committee that was formed by President Salva Kiir to investigate the Twic-Abyei conflict has started its work.
The committee headed by the Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi met on Tuesday this week with community leaders of Twic and Abyei in Juba to conduct a preliminary examination of the situation.
According to an official statement from the office of Committee’s chairman VP Hussein Abdelbagi, the plan is to chart the next stage in support of domestic efforts to advance Transitional justice and end the hostilities.
“Our Tuesday’s meeting with the Twic and Ngok leaders reviewed the complementarity of the communities and mutual roles the committee of inquiry will undertake to ensure that the significant progress achieved is sustained and strengthened towards restoring peace and tranquility between Twic and Ngok as communities of shared historical significance.
The fact-finding committee recognizes the significant role the native administration leaders are playing in handling complex situations to help to rebuild trust at the community level and re-establish a culture of social cohesion.
The committee has been making a thorough assessment and consultation with technical individuals on both sides of the conflict to establish facts and understandings to boost investigation on the ground. Now the committee will move to the disputed land (Aneet) for its real responsibilities.
During the meeting, the community leaders signed a document recognizing the formation of the committee of inquiry by the President and called on the youth to cease hostilities and support the committee to achieve its mandate.
“In the document, the two leaders mentioned the worsening humanitarian situation and appealed to the government and humanitarian organizations to provide relief assistance to those affected by the violent conflict”.
It noted that the leaders condemned negative commentaries on social media platforms by some community members, who should focus on peace and tranquility of their area.
On 10th February 2022, armed youth from Twic and Abyei started clashes over the land ownership of Aneet area.
Over 20 people from both sides were killed and more than 30 others sustained injuries according to local authorities’ reports.
Thousands of the residents were forced to flee to areas of Twic county of Warrap state and others to Abyei town respectively.