Brief 1 : tackling the political economy of conflict over Abyei

The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) has come up with a proposal to identify eligible voters in the Abyei referendum which the Government of Sudan (GoS) and Humr Misseriya have completely rejected because its implementation has the potential to see the Abyei joining South Sudan. The situation has become more complicated as the Ngok Dinka and Humr Misseriya continue to have strong reciprocal relations with their respective governments. For example, encouraging the Humr Misseriya to see Abyei as ‘their’ area for grazing cattle and other development projects helps the GoS control the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states from severe rebel threat. The GoS has also encouraged the Humr Misseriya to settle in the northern part of Abyei as a strategy to claim ownership of the oil resources. The pursuit of such economic interests has driven conflict between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan over ownership of Abyei and has derailed the referendum on Abyei’s future status. To rectify the situation, the two governments need to work for their mutual benefit based on the agreed principles in the Abyei protocol and the AUHIP proposal. Proceeding along these lines could lead to the building of durable peace in Abyei and other contested areas across the border of the two states