OPINION | Why Abyei Must Reject the So-Called AVSS—Once and For All

By Dr. Rou Manyiel Rou (Ronthei) | Veteran SPLM Member & Advocate for Abyei, Juba, South Sudan

Thursday, 29 May 2025 (PW) — Now that the so-called Abyei Voice for Security and Stability (AVSS) is gaining traction within Justice Charles’ administration, it is imperative to shed light on why this initiative must be categorically and unconditionally rejected. Behind its polished language and misleading branding lies a calculated attempt to undermine the political and legal gains of the Ngok Dinka community. AVSS is not a roadmap to peace—it is a dangerous distraction from justice, a distortion of our history, and a direct threat to the aspirations of our people.

As a lifelong member of the SPLM and a freedom fighter who has dedicated decades to the struggle for Abyei, I am compelled to speak plainly: Abyei’s future cannot and must not be redefined by unauthorized, elite-driven initiatives born of personal ambition and political marginalization.

Legal Instruments Cannot Be Ignored

The political status of Abyei has already been defined through legitimate, internationally recognized instruments that reflect both regional consensus and local will. These include:

– The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA, 2005): Provided the legal framework for the resolution of North-South issues, explicitly including Abyei.

– The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Ruling (2009): Legally established the boundaries of the Abyei Area, confirming it as the ancestral homeland of the Ngok Dinka.

– The Addis Ababa Agreement (June 2011): Initiated the deployment of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) to protect civilians and preserve peace.

– The Ngok Dinka Referendum (October 2013): Conducted peacefully and independently by the community, it expressed overwhelming support for Abyei’s integration into South Sudan.

– The ASAA Establishment Order (2015): Formalized the creation of the Abyei Special Administrative Area, providing local governance and administrative recognition by the Government of South Sudan.

These instruments represent the moral and legal backbone of Abyei’s claim and status. AVSS, which emerged without reference to these frameworks, seeks to bypass or erode them, positioning itself as an alternative authority without public consultation or lawful foundation.

AVSS: A Politicized Distraction

AVSS is not a community-driven initiative. It was neither birthed from grassroots consultation nor validated by recognized structures of governance. It is the product of a handful of politically displaced individuals—chief among them Dr. Francis Mading Deng—who have found no pathway back to influence within the SPLM or the legitimate political institutions of South Sudan.

This initiative is cloaked in the language of “security” and “stability,” but its true aim is clear: to create an alternative political track that weakens SPLM leadership in Abyei, distorts the will of the Ngok Dinka, and delays implementation of the 2013 referendum. This is not peacebuilding—it is political opportunism dressed in peace rhetoric.

Exploiting Vulnerability, Undermining Authority

The methods employed by AVSS raise grave ethical and cultural concerns. Rather than engaging in transparent, inclusive dialogue with communities, its proponents have targeted the elderly, the uneducated, and selected traditional chiefs—often without full disclosure of the agenda being advanced. This manipulation of vulnerable individuals is not only dishonest; it undermines the integrity of traditional authority structures that have guided the Ngok Dinka community for generations.

Any initiative that claims to represent the people must be rooted in informed consent, cultural legitimacy, and community-wide participation. AVSS fails on all fronts.

No Legitimacy, No Mandate, No Support

AVSS has no constitutional, legal, or moral legitimacy. It:

– Has no standing in the constitutions of either Sudan or South Sudan

– Lacks any endorsement from the Abyei Area Executive Council or the ASAA Government

– Was never subjected to public consultation or ratification

– Is not supported by youth, women’s groups, civil society organizations, or religious leaders

It is, in every sense, a self-appointed initiative, conceived in isolation and imposed without mandate. To embrace AVSS is to ignore the democratic aspirations of the Ngok Dinka people and the institutions that represent them.

The People’s Voice Is Clear

The 2013 Ngok Dinka Referendum was not a symbolic act. It was a peaceful, lawful, and deliberate expression of self-determination—an act of clarity in a history clouded by delay and conflict. Despite international reluctance to recognize its outcome formally, the referendum remains the truest reflection of the people’s will, and the most legitimate foundation for Abyei’s future.

Any initiative—such as AVSS—that seeks to override or postpone its implementation must be seen for what it is: a betrayal of that voice and a dangerous detour from our rightful path.

The Way Forward: Unity, Law, and Resolve

The people of Abyei must not be divided by alternative visions crafted in elite boardrooms and presented without consent. Our unity is our strength, and our legal framework is our shield.

We must stand firm behind:

– The CPA (2005)

– The PCA Ruling (2009)

– The Addis Ababa Agreement and UNISFA mandate (2011)

– The Ngok Dinka Referendum (2013)

– The ASAA governance order (2015)

These are not mere documents—they are the embodiment of our struggle, our identity, and our future.

A Final Appeal to Our Allies

To our national leaders, to the African Union, to the United Nations, and to every stakeholder committed to peace and justice: we urge you to listen to the people of Abyei. Do not allow politically orphaned actors to confuse the process or distort the facts.

– Uphold the outcomes of the 2013 referendum.

– Recognize ASAA as the legitimate governing body of Abyei.

– Reject the

unauthorized and divisive AVSS initiative.

– Support the integration of Abyei into South Sudan in accordance with the people’s will.

History will not be kind to those who remain silent in the face of distortion. Abyei’s voice has been raised. Let it be respected. Let it be heard. Let it prevail.

About the Author

Dr. Rou Manyiel Rou (Ronthei) is a member of the SPLM, a veteran of South Sudan’s liberation struggle, and a longtime advocate for the rights of the Ngok Dinka. Born in Abyei in 1969 and currently resides in Abyei.

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