By William Madouk Garang
South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has indefinitely suspended all inbound and transit flights to Agok area bordering Twic of Warrap State and Abyei Administrative Area over insecurity.
Agok town is a contested area between the Twic and Ngok communities, the rattles had seen two deadly conflicts with unknown number of people losing their lives and several others displaced.
In a letter dated October 27, the Chief Executive Officer of Aviation Authority, Capt. Subek David Dada, issued a strict order prohibiting flights to Agok due to security trepidations.
According to him, the order was prompted by an urgent letter from the Chief of South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, Gen. Santino Deng Wol.
“Following an urgent and very important letter from Gen. Santino Deng Wol Chok, Chief of (SSPDF) dated 27th October 2022, concerning the above-mentioned subject, NO CLEARANCE to any Aircraft flying to Agok until further notice by the authority,” read partly the order seen by No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper.
Capt. Subek further asked the authorities managing the airspace to immediately implement the directives without fail.
“You are therefore, requested by this office to immediately implement the order without fail,” the order noted.
While Abyei citizens face coexistence conflict with neighbouring nomadic Misseryia from north Sudan, they have also been complaining of their brothers in South Sudan – a situation they believe could be mitigated by determining the area’s final status.
On February this year, armed youth from Twic and Abyei fought a deadly clash that resulted to killings from both sides and more than 30 others sustained injuries.
The peace deal was reached under the mediation of Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi, who led an investigation committee formed by President Salva Kiir.
But that had a short-lived impact after the violence erupted again on October 10, resulting to the death of more people.
Early this month, communal clashes in and around the area, involving the two neighbouring communities of Twic and Ngok led to the death of 12 people and 14 others were wounded.
On 25 February 2022, President Salva Kiir formed a high level fact-finding committee led by Vice the President for Service Cluster Hussein Abdelbagi Akol to probe Aneet shootings.
The deal was reached under the mediation of Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi, who led an investigation committee formed by President Salva Kiir.
The status of Abyei is one of the main outstanding issues between Sudan and South Sudan which has not been resolved since the latter seceded from the former in July 2011.