Courtesy - of - www.rappler.com

The Government of South Sudan has defended the inclusion of Abyei residents in the country’s December 2026 general elections, rejecting objections raised by Sudan.

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the participation of residents of the Abyei Area, including members of the Nine Ngok Dinka Chiefdoms, is supported by existing legal agreements between the two countries.

The response follows a statement issued by the Government of Sudan on Monday July 13, objecting to the inclusion of Abyei residents in South Sudan’s upcoming elections scheduled for 22nd December 2026.

Sudan argued that the move violates the Abyei Protocol of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and other agreements between the two countries.

However, South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said the inclusion is legally justified under several legal instruments, including the Abyei Protocol, the Interim National Constitution of Sudan 2005, the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan 2005, and the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended.

The ministry cited provisions recognizing Abyei residents as citizens of both South Kordofan and Warrap State, with rights and freedoms guaranteed under the respective constitutions.

The government also recalled that Abyei residents participated in the 2010 general elections in the then Southern Sudan, saying their participation was not challenged because it was consistent with the legal framework governing the Abyei issue.

The Foreign Ministry said the upcoming elections continue an established constitutional and electoral practice based on citizenship rights already recognized by both parties.

It said South Sudan remains committed to resolving the final status of Abyei through dialogue and negotiations.

The ministry also commended the efforts of the African Union, the United Nations, and other partners in seeking a peaceful settlement to the Abyei issue.

Abyei, an oil-rich region, remains a disputed territory between South Sudan and Sudan.

Under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Abyei was expected to hold a referendum to decide whether it would join South Sudan or remain part of Sudan.

However, the two countries have disagreed over who qualifies to vote in the referendum, with Sudan supporting the inclusion of the Misseriya nomads who move into the area to graze their cattle.