Thousands travel to disputed Abyei enclave but lack food and water
Members of the Ngok Dinka ethnic group are returning to the disputed enclave of Abyei from all over the world. They aim to cast their votes in a referendum on whether the region will become part of Sudan or South Sudan -- a ballot which the Ngok Dinka community plan to press ahead with despite ongoing disputes between South Sudan and Sudan over who is eligible to vote.
But the war-torn region, which was devastated during the extended civil war between northern and southern Sudan, is unable to provide for its former residents.
I just come here to cast my vote and decide the political destination of Abyei.”
John Alier Deng spent seven years in the Kenyan capital Nairobi and is among the new arrivals. I just come here to cast my vote and decide the political destination of Abyei, but since I arrived the situation is very bad: No proper feeding, we eat once a day, no clean water for drinking,” he said.
Arriving with his wife and three children on October 16, he said they lack water as there is only one borehole for the fast-swelling population. His family are among the many former residences without a home: We sleep under the verandah of a primary school, on mats, we have never been in this condition before,” he said.
Others describe surviving on one meal a day. Thiik Yai Yai said that his wife is seven months pregnant and needs more food, which is hard to get in the remote region. We were told that everything will be catered for by the African Union (AU), but on the ground it is a different story,” he said.
I am expecting my wife to give birth soon, even before referendum day, I really need to cast my vote but I have no money to care for my wife,” he said.
Leaders from the Dinka Ngok community recently said they would hold the referendum which did not take place in 2011 when South Sudan decided to split from Sudan due to violence.
The Dinka Ngok are expected to overwhelmingly vote to link with South Sudan, but Sudan has argued that the nomadic Misseriya tribe should also be allowed to vote, which could tilt the result in its favour.
Given the ongoing dispute on voting rights, a unilateral Dinka Ngok poll would not be legally recognised. Such a ballot would also anger the Misseriya, who traditionally spend around half the year in Abyei, likely provoking more violence in the turbulent region.
I urge our people to be patient and tolerant.”
Deng Alor, who chairs the Abyei Referendum Committee, said the referendum is organised by the citizens of Abyei using donations from the Ngok Dinka community and is not sponsored by any other organisation or government.
Donations have provided food, accommodation and other basics for the people because we need freedom,” he said. I urge our people to be patient and tolerant […] everybody is going through a critical situation,” he said.
According to VOA more than 150,000 people are expected to take part in the vote.
Ring Deng Kuol, elected Chairman of the Referendum Commission, said more provisions were on their way. We have ordered seven trucks of food from East Uganda, which will arrive soon,” he said, adding that at least 100 people arrive in the area every day.
