By William Madouk
During his remarks at the eighth Governors’ Forum, Vice President Taban Deng Gai, chair of the infrastructure cluster made a bombshell statement claiming that “there is no government in Khartoum.”
This statement has nearly caused a diplomatic stir with neighboring, Sudan. However, the Minister of Presidential Affairs quickly distanced the Juba government from this assertion, stating that it reflects an individual perspective.
VP Gai highlighted that the people of Abyei, a contested administrative area, are currently suffering, and the lack of a government in Sudan has exacerbated their plight.
“We have a very big problem in Abyei, the vacuum is very clear – South Sudanese must know this, the people on Ngok are South Sudanese and we can’t allow them to suffer the way they are suffering,” he said.
“Right now, there is no government in Khartoum and they are left that way,” he added.
He suggested that Ambassadors and UN agencies from Juba should visit the Abyei Administrative Area to support the Ngok people.
“UN agencies to visit Abyei, many of them are scared – they think Abyei is not part of Juba government,” he stated.
“Do the government of Port Sudan really have time to listen or check on the people of Abyei? It is not a priority to them – these people are suffering – they got no schools even Athony airport is blocked by Khartoum not to be operated,” he claimed.
VP wondered how long the government would keep quiet over the closure of Athony airport.
He suggested that the forum should give a special proposal or recommendation on Abyei.
Mr. Gai called for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the already suffering Ngok Dinka of Abyei.
“Humanitarian assistance to be increased from Juba to Abyei and UN agencies should also be visiting Abyei because there is no government in Khartoum – there is a vacuum. Why do we allow our people to suffer that way,” he said.
The VP also urged the forum to encourage and prioritize peace conferences between Ngok and nomadic Arab Misseriya.
“We are for a total solution for the problem of Abyei but also, we must pressure so that we have a total settlement,” he said. “We can also give an ultimatum to the UN that for several years now you have been keeping quiet on the settlement of Abyei.”
He continued, “we are going to recognize the referendum of Abyei in the absence of the total settlement of Abyei. We can discuss this with them, let them give us a total solution in the absence of a solution we are going to recognize the referendum of Abyei.”
Gai claimed that Misseriya Arabs are now living in harmony with Ngok Dinka of Abyei, adding that all previous messes from Misseriya were allegedly sponsored by the Khartoum regime.
He disclosed that Misseriya also took one-third of Abyei area during arbitration.
Reacting to the Vice President’s statement, minister of presidential affairs, Chol Mawut Ajongo said Taban Deng’s statement doesn’t represent the view of the government of South Sudan.
“This is a statement to clarify a statement that was attributed to the Vice President during the governors’ Forum with respect to Sudan that there was no government in Sudan,” he said.
“First, it is to make clear that it is not the position of the government of South Sudan and doesn’t represent in any way the position and view of the government of South Sudan led by H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he added.
Ajongo noted Juba administration respects the territorial integrity and legitimacy government of the Republic of Sudan.
“This is just to make clear that whatever statement that has been made–that view represents probably the views of the vice president but not the position of the government of South Sudan,” he echoed.