After three days of dialogue and deliberation, the annual Ngok Dinka and Misseriya seasonal pre-migration conference concluded on 23 November in Noong, Abyei. Participants at the conference signed an agreement renewing their pledge to prevent conflict, safeguard livelihoods and ensure the protection of civilians along migration corridors, a significant pledge amidst an increasingly complex regional context with heightened security concerns. The leaders also pledged to strengthen trust between herders and farming communities.
Organized by UNISFA, FAO and Concordis International, the conference brought together representatives of the two communities, including leaders from the Joint Community Peace Committee, respective migration corridors, women’s groups, youth and cattle camp leaders to address issues of mutual concern. Women made up 33 per cent of the attendees, with 22 percent youth representation. For the first time, representatives of the Nuer community were invited to the opening session demonstrating the need for inclusivity and the willingness of the various communities to contribute to realizing peace.
“As partners, we will use your resolutions in planning and delivering our community engagement and security support to you, in compliance with our new mandate, which reiterates our longstanding obligation to protect civilians, provide security, promote inter-communal dialogue and address the root causes of the conflict through peacebuilding initiatives. Despite the financial challenges experienced by UNISFA, UN agencies, funds and programmes as well as humanitarian NGOs, we all remain committed to the realization of our very raison d’être of our presence in Abyei,” said OIC Ag HOM/FC, Brigadier Ameer Umrani.
At the end of the meeting, participants formed four joint Misseriya-Ngok Dinka groups to address conflict and disseminate the conference outcomes across three migration corridors. They also mapped potential hotspots, updated routes and proposed mitigating measures to ensure a peaceful migration season.
The leaders committed to the implementation of the agreement and underscored the importance of continued dialogue. Calling on UNISFA to strengthen its Protection of Civilians mandate, they urged increased security measures at the Amiet market. Youth leaders pledged to work with partners to curb criminality. The meeting also addressed the impact of harmful information on peace and security in the box calling on the leaders to support efforts to counter rumors and fake news. Additionally, it addressed the impact of climate change on communities and designed mitigating measures to minimise the challenges associated with climate change.
Brig. Gen Umrani reiterated UNISFA’s commitment to peace and security in Abyei called for adherence to and compliance with the resolutions. “It is only by working together that we will be able to achieve the desired goals and ensure the Box remains peaceful during this dry season. I therefore wish to call on all of you to renew your own commitment to this process and implement your resolutions in good faith.”
Abyei experiences two migration seasons, the southward pre-migration season which takes place at the end of the dry season, and the post migration season when Misseriya cattle herders migrate northwards at the start of the rainy season. This year, the area is facing increased security risks and pressure on essential resources due to a spike in displaced populations, however, it is anticipated that this season will be largely peaceful.