Sudan’s Riek Machar discusses Abyei with Khartoum

By James Gatdet Dak

May 25, 2008 (JUBA) — The First Deputy Chairperson for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Vice President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, is in Khartoum to discuss with Vice President Ali Osman Taha the deteriorating security situation in Abyei.

This will be the first time a member of the top leadership of the SPLM discusses the Abyei issue in the Presidency following the recent intensive fighting in Abyei and after the conclusion of the SPLM Second National Convention in Juba.

In a press statement, Machar said he would present suggestions to the National Congress Party’s component of the Presidency on how quickly the Abyei protocol could be implemented.

He did not disclose what those suggestions would be.

He further added that a joint committee would also meet soon after his meeting in the Presidency to discuss technical issues related to the Abyei protocol implementation.

Heavy fighting recently erupted in Abyei between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) resulting into hundreds of civilian casualties, destruction of the whole town and displacement of up to 90,000 people from the area.

On Friday in Juba, citizens of Abyei presented a petition to the First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit demanding immediate halt to the fighting and to speed up the implementation of the Abyei protocol.

(ST)