Dr. Luka Biong: “Dr. Barnaba Marial called me and apologized for what happened…”
The Ngok Dinka of Abyei are South Sudanese nationals, not “citizens of the Sudan”
Dr. Luka Biong Deng, Australia
March 22, 2016 (SSB) —- Dear All, I know you have been following closely the development in Juba as myself and people of Abyei have been defined as Sudanese and not South Sudanese. I would like to refer you to the article that I posted in Sudan Tribune in March 2013 as that explains it all.
Dr. Barnaba Marial called me and apologized for what happened and reassure me of his commitment to the issue of Abyei and that the Ministry will withdraw the document and present another document without reference to that part that describes me as Sudanese and that he will make a press conference.
I know Dr Barnaba of his unwavering and consistent support to the issue of Abyei. This is a positive development but I urged the Minister to take actions against those drafted the document and for the government to come out clearly reaffirming the constitutional status of Abyei and to take necessary steps to endorse the outcome of Abyei referendum.
I talked with Deng Alor and our elders in Juba and urge them to take this issue as an opportunity and as basis for engaging positively and responsibly with our government to put the issue to its final conclusion by getting its commitment to reaffirm our constitutional status as well as endorsing the outcome of our referendum.
I appeal to all of you not to overact to this development but we use it effectively to realize our strategic political objective of recognition of the outcome of the referendum and we should mobilize our friends, people of South Sudan and civil society and all political parties to support our case.
Dr. Lam Akol of DC and Dr Peter Adok of SPLM-IO and Mr. Edmund Yakani of CEPO and most of our outstanding intellectuals such as Prof Charles Bahkeit and the rest and many others have made strong statement against this document.
In fact I would say what happened is a blessing in disguise and I am sure the issue of Abyei will unite the people of South Sudan. I will keep you posted about development in Juba.
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