Abyei can be model for peace in Sudan – NCP and SPLM say
July 22, -2009 (JUBA) — Sudan peace partners, the dominant National Congress Party (NCP and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement welcomed today the award of Abyei Arbitration Tribunal and reaffirmed that Abyei can be a model for peace.
The final and binding decision puts an end to a three-year dispute over the region after the rejection of the Sudanese presidency of the findings of Abyei Boundary Commission since July 2005.
“It is our conviction that Abyei can be a model for peace, reconciliation and co-existence in Sudan if efforts for development are encouraged and supported in the area,” said a statement issued by the NCP and SPLM today.
After bloody fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces and the SPLA in May last year, the two parties signed on June 8, 2008 a roadmap to settle their dispute on the boundary of Abyei through the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The Arbitration Tribunal had to say whether the ABC exceeded its mandate: “to define and demarcate the area of the nine Ngok Dinka chiefdoms transferred to Kordofan in 1905. If so, the five arbitrators were entitled to define and demarcate this boundary.
The two party also agreed that the tribunal’s decision would be final and binding on both parties.
“We reaffirm our intention to fully implement the tribunal’s decision, the Abyei Protocol, and the CPA, including the protection of rights of local communities,” said the joint statement which is signed by Dr.Ghazi Salah Eddin Atabani Delegated member of the Leadership Bureau of the National Congress party and Presidential Advisor and Mr. Pagan Amum, SPLM Secretary General.
They stressed they will now work together to disseminate the PCA’s decision to the affected communities, to demarcate the Abyei border, to create a joint task force that shall and to meet with traditional leaders in Abyei and it’s the award.
The parties equally confirmed their commitment to ensuring a long term and sustainable peace in Abyei As a gesture of their commitment to involve local communities in Abyei in the process of resolution of the dispute.
Earlier this week the parties brought traditional leaders from these communities to Khartoum for a meeting to discuss the impact of the award, its implementation, and the rights of the communities regardless of the outcome.
The NCP and SPLM said also committed to taking steps to use our existing capabilities to prevent violence, enhance security, and consolidate peace in Abyei.
“Both parties agree that the return to war is not an option,” they stressed.
(ST)