Scene of Aneet set on fire during an attack which killed dozens of people. (Photo: Social media).

The South Sudan government, in consultation with the United Nations, resolved to form a special court to try atrocities committed during conflicts between Twic and Ngok Dinka communities.

The suggestion came in a meeting between Vice President Abdelbagi Akol, also the Chairperson of Aneet Investigation Committee, and visiting UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Hanna Tetteh, on Saturday.

The formation of the special court was stipulated in an agreement signed in Aweil between the Ngok and the Twic Dinka communities in April 2022.

The government reportedly plans to form the court that will try crimes committed in the recent years, in consultation with UNISFA and the Sudanese authorities.

Ayang Garang, the spokesperson of Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, said they agreed on modalities including the formation of special courts, and special prosecution units to investigate crimes.

“One of the modalities discussed was the cessation of hostilities agreement that was signed in Aweil, which recommends several measures, including the formation of special courts, and special prosecution units to prosecute crimes that were committed during the clashes between these two sisterly communities,” Garang said.

He added that the government and the United Nations agencies have reaffirmed commitment to decide the final status of the Abyei Administrative Area, with the Sudanese government.

The Ngok and Twic Dinka conflict started in 2017, when Abyei authorities commenced a land registry and survey in the disputed Annet market near Agok, in southern Abyei.

The Twic Dinka, claiming that Agok and Annet were located within Twic county, Warrap state, denounced the land registry, which was subsequently suspended.

The Ngok Dinka, however, consider the boundaries of Abyei to have been determined by a decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2009, and Agok and Annet to be part of their territory.

Since then, recurrent inter-communal violence has claimed hundreds of lives, destroyed properties and displaced thousands of people.

In the latest incidents, nearly 100 people were killed including two UN peacekeepers when gunmen attacked Abyei Administrative Area, according to local authorities.