President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reconstituted a High-Level Committee to accelerate dialogue and finalize the long-standing dispute over the final status of Abyei, a contested region between South Sudan and Sudan.
The announcement, made through a presidential decree broadcast on SSBC, signals a renewed political push by Juba to revive stalled negotiations and strengthen diplomatic engagement with Khartoum over the fate of the oil-rich border territory.
According to the decree, the committee will report directly to President Kiir and will be responsible for engaging the Sudanese government, coordinating national consultations, and providing periodic updates on the progress of talks.
The High-Level Committee comprises Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel (Chairperson), Gen. Pieng Deng Majok (Deputy Chairperson), the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Martin Otimoya (Rapporteurs), alongside the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense, a Member of Parliament representing Abyei, the Director General of Internal Security Bureau, and the Chairperson of the Abyei Oversight Committee.
Other members include Dier Tong Ngor representing civil society, Tor Deng Mawien, Deng Deng Akuei, and Deng Biong Mijak.
The committee’s mandate is to revitalize dialogue, enhance coordination with regional and international partners, and fast-track efforts to reach a durable political settlement.
President Kiir emphasized that the reconstitution of the committee reflects his administration’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding between South Sudan and Sudan.
The Abyei dispute has been one of the most persistent issues since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.
Despite the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and subsequent protocols that outlined a referendum to determine Abyei’s final status, the vote was never conducted, leaving the region in limbo.
Currently, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) maintains a peacekeeping presence in the area to prevent renewed hostilities between communities loyal to both nations.
The reconstituted committee is expected to inject new momentum into the peace process and ensure that South Sudan presents a unified, strategic position in future engagements with Sudanese authorities.
