UN chief hails Abyei deal

June 9, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) – The UN chief hailed today the roadmap agreement reached by the two partner of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to resolve their difference over the implementation of the findings of Abyei Boundary Commission.

The National Congress Party rejected the conclusions of a five experts committee charged with the definition and the demarcation of Abyei area saying it didn’t observed its mandate. Due to this rejection the Abyei protocol remained unimplemented.

General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed an agreement to resolve a dispute over the town of Abyei, which lies in an oil-rich area close to the boundary between northern and southern Sudan, and has recently been the scene of violent clashes that have displaced as many as 50,000 people.

On Sunday the National Congress Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement agreed on a road map to resolve the Abyei dispute, including through international arbitration. They also agreed to establish an interim administration and the return of the displaced by the end of the month

“The Secretary-General congratulates the two parties and urges them to implement this agreement in full to ensure a final resolution of this most serious challenge to Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA),” Ban said in a statement issued on Monday.

Ban Ki-Moon said today that he “particularly welcomes the commitment of the two parties to allow the UN Mission in Sudan unrestricted access and freedom of movement in the Abyei area,” and he gave his assurances that the UN would continue to provide assistance to the tens of thousands of people who have been displaced.

The UN “also stands ready to assist their return to Abyei, once security arrangements are put in place to enable a safe and dignified return,” he said.

The UN peacekeeping troops are allowed for the first time since 2005 to be deployed in the disputed area. The two parties had refused to allow their presence in the contested area.

(ST)