Dinka Ngok, Misseriya agree to reopen Abyei Market under UN protection

The joint peace committees representing the Dinka Ngok and Misseriya communities of the disputed Abyei region, which straddles the Sudan-South Sudan border, signed a joint statement on Monday following a meeting of the committee at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) Pakistani Battalion in the Todach area.

The two sides agreed to immediately reopen the Amiet market and entrust its protection to UNISFA, community police and youth from both communities. The agreement also prohibits other forces belonging to either side from entering the market.

The two sides further agreed that all military vehicles and weapons will be barred from entering the market starting 10 October 2026. UNISFA forces will monitor the market’s entrances and exits to prevent weapons from being brought into the market again.

Dinka Ngok Youth Chairman Doguir Mitanq said the joint peace committees had agreed to reopen the common market immediately, with security to be provided by UNISFA and a 17-member committee tasked with overseeing the arrangements.

“I urge residents to disregard rumours aimed at destabilizing security in the area because the two committees reached the agreement through their own initiative and consensus on the issues under discussion,” he said.

For his part, Misseriya Youth Chairman Mahdi Juma attributed tensions between the two communities to groups spreading rumours intended to undermine the social fabric.

“Rumours have circulated among the Dinka Ngok community the previous day that the Misseriya were planning to launch an attack, while a counter-rumour claimed that the Dinka Ngok would launch an attack from the southern gate,” he said.

Juma warned members of both communities against turning incidents of killing into tribal mobilization, saying such crimes can occur even in the most secure cities, where communities can still sit down to resolve their differences. He said the two communities would not abandon their pursuit of peace.

“The agreement is intended to protect the market and traders working there and prevent a recurrence of previous incidents,” Juma added.

A few days ago, Abyei witnessed an armed confrontation between members of the Dinka Ngok and Misseriya communities that left around 40 people dead. The violence subsequently led to the complete closure of Amiet Market.

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