UK sponsors training course for Abyei joint forces
November 6, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The United Kingdom sponsored a training course for 40 members of joint forces based in the disputed Abyei area on conflict management conducted on the United Nations Mission in Sudan.
The five day training was facilitated by the UNMIS Zambian Contingent in Abyei for members of the locally-based Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) and the Joint Integrated Police Unit (JIPU).
The course, part of the three-year Abyei Area Activity Plan, was sponsored by the UK government, which also donated a set of 15 radios to enhance JIU communication capacity
Course participants included 30 members of the CPA-established JIU, five members of the Joint Integrated Police Unit (JIPU), formed as part of the Abyei Road Map Agreement, and, five members of the National Security and Civil Administration.
The course was delivered by a UK Government’s Security Sector Development Advisory Team and focused on conflict management skills including analysis, management, listening and negotiating.
Abyei area witnessed fierce fighting that displaced around 50000 people from the disputed area between the Sudan Armed Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Since the peace partners established a joint administration and deployed new JIU and JIPU in accordance with Abyei roadmap signed on June 8.
An arbitration tribunal is expected to issue its final decision in June 2009 and determine whether or not the ABC experts exceeded their mandate “to define and demarcate the area of the Nine Ngok Dinka Chiefdoms transferred from Bahr el Ghazal to Kordofan in 1905”.
At the closing ceremony, 4 November, UNMIS Abyei Head of Office, Chris Johnson said: “We remain hopeful that such a course delivered to the JIUs will provide them with the necessary tools to help bring peace and stability to Sudan”.
(ST)
Mr Point
UK sponsors training course for Abyei joint forces
It is good – apart from 3 questions.
(1). Would the conflict management skills including analysis, management, listening and negotiating have prevented the destruction of Abyei in May by the Sudan Armed Forces and their parasite militia?
No. Because the Sudan Armed Forces and the militia that were responsible for burning Abyei have the support of the national government. There has been no investigation of the guilty parties. There has been no punishment. There is no restraint on the SAF and the militia. In the future, if the listening and negotiating fail, what will the 660 men of the Joint Integrated Unit do against 5,000 armed militia?
(2). Do the JIUs have “the necessary tools to help bring peace and stability to Sudan”.
No. they do not have the numbers, the weapons or the political support to balance against the numbers, the weapons and the political support given by the Sudan government to those who destroyed Abyei in May. The Sudan Presidency has always been unwilling to meet the requirement of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This is obvious in the implementation of the Abyei protocol.
(3). Did the ABC experts exceed their mandate?
No. they followed the procedure exactly as it has been defined and agreed in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.