The Former Political Detainees have called on ministers behind a letter to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights to resign for implying that the Dinka Ngok are Sudanese.

The letter was written on the 9^th of March and signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin.

The letter refers to the former minister, Dr Luka Biong Deng, who hails from Abyei, as a citizen of the Republic of Sudan.

Dr Luka is the former director for the Center of Peace and Development Studies at the University of Juba. He was removed from office after organizing a debate on the creation of more states.

The status of Abyei, which was transferred to Southern Kordofan in 1905, is being contested by Sudan and South Sudan. The two sides are yet to agree on a referendum to determine the status of the region.

The Former Detainees say the letter is unconstitutional and has unfairly rubbished the people of Abyei.

Dr Marial and others who could have been behind the letter should resign voluntarily or be dismissed by the president.

In a statement signed by Madut Biar Yel on behalf of the spokesperson, the group says the national parliament should summon the ministers and possibly withdraw their confidence for bringing the country into disrepute.

“It’s a gaffe that has not only rubbished our brothers and sisters from Abyei unfairly, but has also brought embarrassment and shame to the President, government, and the people of South Sudan,” partly read the statement.

But Dr Marial said yesterday that he meant to say Dr Luka Biong was a South Sudanese citizen. He said it was not correct to dwell on this issue.