Abyei Committee in South Sudan: Residents of the area will participate in the upcoming elections
Diplomatic moves to resolve the conflict permanently
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The High Committee for a Final Solution to the Abyei Area confirmed that the residents area They will participate in the upcoming general elections at all levels, based on the Abyei Protocol stipulated in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and Article (97/4) of the amended 2011 Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan.
The decision by South Sudan’s National Elections Commission to include the disputed Abyei region within the geographical constituencies for the general elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, has brought one of the most complex issues in the relationship between Khartoum and Juba back to the forefront of the political scene, after years of stagnation in the final settlement of the region.
Meetings with the Nigerian Embassy and the European Union Delegation
The confirmation came during a series of meetings held by the committee with the Nigerian embassy in South Sudan and the European Union mission, as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing efforts to reach a peaceful and final settlement to the conflict over the Abyei region.
The delegation was headed by Lieutenant General Vieng Deng Kuol, Minister of East African Community Affairs and Acting Chairman of the High Committee for a Final Settlement of the Abyei Area, who reviewed the latest developments related to the area, stressing that resolving the final status of Abyei is a top priority for the Government of South Sudan.
The committee stressed the importance of the continued work of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in maintaining security and stability in the region until a final settlement is reached, and affirmed its continued full cooperation with the UN mission.
The committee announced its approval of the four criteria contained in UN Security Council Resolution 2802 of 2025, while expressing reservations about one of these criteria, without disclosing its details.
During the meeting with the Nigerian delegation, the Nigerian ambassador affirmed his country’s support for a peaceful resolution to the Abyei issue, stressing that any future settlement must prioritize the interests and well-being of the region’s inhabitants, setting aside considerations related to natural resources.
In a separate meeting with the European Union delegation, the committee discussed developments in the political settlement process and the humanitarian situation in Abyei, where the European Union acknowledged that reaching a final solution to the issue had been delayed for too long, stressing its readiness to continue supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace, as well as supporting humanitarian and development initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the region’s inhabitants.
The committee concluded its meetings by affirming its commitment to continue coordinating with regional and international partners to reach a peaceful, fair and lasting solution to the Abyei issue, in accordance with the signed agreements and fulfilling the aspirations of the region’s residents.
