Displaced residents are returning to Abyei after the Sudanese army withdrew the forces occupying the area since May 2011 and are calling for a peaceful and final solution to the Abyei issue.
Abyei Catholic parish priest Biong Kol is displaced in Agok. He visited Abyei last week after the withdrawal of Sudanese troops to assess the situation. He told CRN that the town is all destroyed, but the people started returning.He urged the international community and the international media to visit Abyei in order to witness how the Sudanese army reduced the town to ashes, including the Catholic church.
Fr Kol said the people of Abyei were displaced in Agok, Warrap, Aweil and Wau and they want to go back because they want to plant their fields and they do not have money to pay rent in the places of displacement.
He added that people face many challenges to return home, including lack of shelter, water, food, medicines, diesel and means of transport.
Fr Kol said the Sudanese army destroyed most water points in Abyei.
He added that some soldiers stayed behind disguised as traders in the market.
Fr Kol explained that some Sudanese police were left behind too.
Last week they arrested a journalist from Al Jazeera TV.
Fr Kol disclosed that NGOs that were operating in Abyei started meeting to plan the assistance to the displaced that are already returning by the thousands.