That welcome gate was already a part of Abyei before the blue-beret soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army set foot on this land. Yet, in the nearly three years since Vietnam’s Engineering Companies began their mission here, the hope for a better life has started to shine.
“Paradise” of conflict
Abyei is a flat expanse of over 10,000 sq.m., located between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan (the world's youngest and poorest country, plagued with continuous conflicts since separating from Sudan in 2011). This disputed territory has drawn international attention, necessitating the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers. It is here that the Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers are striving daily to bring positive change to the lives of the local population.
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The author with Major Nguyen Mau Vu, Political Chief of Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 2 |
Historically, Abyei was home to two main tribes: the Ngok Dinka and the Misseriya. The Ngok Dinka settled here in the 17th century, engaging in farming and livestock husbandry. Later, the Misseriya, Arab nomads relying on seasonal grazing, also migrated to this region.
If history had continued peacefully, these tribes might still be living in harmony. However, civil wars and conflicts have turned Abyei into one of the hotspots on the global stage.
Sudan experienced two civil wars: the first from 1956 to 1972 and the second from 1983 to 2005. The relentless decades-long conflicts culminated in Sudan being divided into two nations—the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan. A peace agreement signed in 2005 ended the civil wars, but conflicts were reignited after South Sudan gained official independence in 2011.
In a referendum on independence, fierce disputes arose between Sudan and South Sudan over whether Abyei would belong to one country or the other. Eventually, it was agreed that Abyei's status would be determined by a separate referendum in January 2011, alongside the vote for South Sudan's independence. However, disagreements over voter eligibility delayed the process.
On June 20, 2011, under the African Union's mediation, the two countries signed a temporary agreement on security and administration for Abyei. Both nations pledged to withdraw their forces from the Abyei demilitarized zone, establish a joint oversight committee, and create mechanisms to resolve disputes and demarcate the border.
Diplomatically and practically, Abyei falls under Sudan's jurisdiction, and agreements with the UNISFA are managed by Sudan. However, renewed war in Sudan in March 2023 weakened its control over Abyei, significantly affecting UNISFA’s logistics and troop rotation. By June 2023, the U.N. negotiated with both Sudan and South Sudan to allow personnel, vehicles, and supplies to transit from Entebbe (Uganda) through Wau (South Sudan), rather than through Khartoum (Sudan), as previously.
Such is Abyei—a place where Vietnamese peacekeepers work tirelessly to fulfill their mission.
Joint effort to transforming “Paradise”
In May 2022, Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 1 arrived in Abyei. The U.N. tasked the team with ensuring road accessibility, building and maintaining camps and helicopter landing areas. During the dry season, they repaired or created new roads, and during the rainy season, they continued to fix roads while also rescuing vehicles stuck in the mud. Thanks to their efforts, life in Abyei has started to change.
The soil in Abyei is unique—hard when dry but sticky and soft when wet, clinging to feet and vehicle tires. Heavy rains often deform roads, and some sections are flooded during the rainy season. According to the signed agreement, the U.N. is not allowed to build concrete roads in Abyei; even concrete walkways within U.N. bases require approval from local authorities. As a result, road repairs are a year-round task of Vietnam’s Engineering Company.
“Vehicle rescue is highly complex. UNISFA only tasks us with recovering U.N. vehicles. However, to tow a single U.N. vehicle stuck in the mud, we sometimes have to clear the way by assisting dozens of civilian vehicles,” said Senior Colonel Nguyen Viet Hung, Chief of Engineering Company Rotation 2.
Constructing barracks is another critical mission assigned to the Vietnamese engineering troops. Since March 2023, they have been building their “smart barracks” at Highway Base and for other units in the area. The project has been completed, with 30 prefabricated modules including offices, a living quarter, a dining hall, a kitchen, a fitness room, restrooms, and other facilities such as water treatment system, solid waste management system, repair station, solar power station, security monitoring and landscape construction system.
During a visit to UNISFA on June 11, 2024, Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, received high praise from Brigadier General Ameer Muhammad Umrani, Acting Head of the Mission and Force Commander of UNISFA. The general read a letter from Ms. AnneMarie van den Berg, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for the Office of Supply Chain Management, commending Vietnam’s engineering company for successfully completing the first smart barracks ever constructed by a military engineering unit in Abyei.
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Students welcoming Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son and the Vietnamese defense delegation in Abyei, June 2024. |
“Despite the unique and challenging conditions of the mission, Vietnam’s engineering troops have consistently demonstrated perseverance, pride, and professionalism,” the letter stated. The new smart barracks have transformed Highway Base into one of the most modern and well-equipped facilities within the mission area.
Wholehearted support for local people
In Abyei, praise for Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers often comes not only from U.N. leaders and international units but also from local residents.
Vietnamese engineering troops have built roads to ensure patients don’t have to wade through mud to reach the hospital, constructed schools, repaired boats, taught locals how to grow crops, screened movies for children, donated school supplies, drilled wells, and provided clean water. These actions have earned the respect and admiration of the local community. Abyei’s Mayor Mading Anyag even declared, “Vietnam is the 10th tribe of Abyei,” joining the nine local tribes.
Traditional houses in Abyei, called tukuls, are made of mud with thatched roofs, often circular or rectangular. Most families only use these shelters to sleep after spending the day outdoors. Many of these structures lack furniture, and even wealthy households might only have one bed.
Against this backdrop, the permanent classrooms built by Vietnamese soldiers are deeply valued. In Abyei, where a bag of cement costs USD 35—more than the price of a goat—securing building materials is a significant challenge, made even harder by the ongoing conflict.
Vietnamese troops have maximized leftover materials from their construction projects to build schools and repair boats. The new classrooms shield children from harsh weather, and refurbished boats to provide vital transportation during floods. Every time a school or boat is handed over, it becomes a grand celebration attended by local leaders, U.N. officials, and residents.
During Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son’s visit to a school, hundreds of students lined up, waving Vietnam’s flag and chanting, “Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh!” Their warm reception exemplified the special bond between the local community and the Vietnamese peacekeepers.
As Abyei strives toward peace, the dedication of the international community and the heartfelt contributions of Vietnam’s blue-beret soldiers are paving the way for a brighter future in this region.
Reported by Ngoc Hung
Translated by Trung Thanh