Sudan’s SPLM officials and a local leader urge formation of Abyei referendum commission
By Ngor Arol Garang
June 20, 2010 (AKON) – An official of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and local leaders have called on the peace partners to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to speed up composition of membership of the Abyei referendum commission, or refer it to the United Nations for resolution, warning that any delay to form the commission would have dire consequences.
Arman told the press that all attempts to form the commission based on some names previously submitted by the SPLM have not been approved, despite months of negotiations between the two parties.
“So far we have failed. If it becomes clear that we cannot agree then the only way out is the United Nations,” he said, adding that the National Congress Party (NCP) could not agree with the nominees his party had already submitted from civil service and lawyers.
Arman said this week NCP and SPLM were due in Mekele, the capital of Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray, to discuss Abyei and other issues related to the referendum.
The Abyei Paramount Chief, Kuol Deng Kuol, also told Sudan Tribune from Khartoum on his way to Juba that there is a real need for the two parties to conclude their discussions over names required in the formation of Abyei referendum commission.
“I am actually in Khartoum on the way to Juba to meet President Salva Kiir Mayardit, so I hear from him the current efforts on formation of Abyei referendum commission,” he said.
An official from the north’s National Congress Party (NCP) said Arman was trying to increase political pressure.
“I am sure we can still bridge the gap between the NCP and the SPLM on this. We have had differences before which we have settled,” said the NCP’s Rabie Abdelati.
Residents of Abyei, like south Sudanese, are exactly six months away from a vote on whether they would confirm to remain part of southern Kordofan in the central Sudan or choose to become part of Southern state of Warrap in Greater Bahr el Ghazal.
Many analysts say the vote has regional significance because, on the same day, the people of south Sudan will equally go to the poll to decide on whether to remain part of the rest of Sudan or create an independent country.
Professor Monywiir Monytoc at the Council of States in Khartoum told Sudan Tribune there is little time left for formation of two referenda commissions if the intentions of the peace partners are to conduct them as per the CPA.
“The concern of many people is not that these commissions will not be formed but the time itself, because I see that there is little time left for formation and establishment of these institutions if the intention of the two partners is to conduct southern and Abyei referenda as per the provision of Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” he said.
Political analysts have said that time is running out to organize the votes, warning there is a risk of violence if southerners believe the north is trying to delay or disrupt the plebiscites.
Abyei is occupied by two main groups, the Dinka Ngok, linked to South Sudan, and nomadic Misseriya Arabs, associated with the north. Northern and southern forces have clashed there a number of times since the peace deal was signed.
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DASODIKO
Sudan’s SPLM officials and a local leader urge formation of Abyei referendum commission
The formation of the comissions mean seperation of the south Sudan whcih is disapproved by the NCP, so my advice to SPLM/A and the Southerners to be prepared for the pending war.
They have now mobilized all Arab and Islamic countries to help them of theirn coming war.
Marco A. Wek
Sudan’s SPLM officials and a local leader urge formation of Abyei referendum commission
Abyei belongs to Dinka Ngok Kuol Arop and the Bagara nomads were time and again given grazing lands by Ngok and that did not mean Bagara have a say in Abyei. It is all delaying tactics by the Northern government in an atempt to keep Abyei as part of the North knowing that South Sudan is going to vote for independence. Bagara themselves know the truth but they are insisting of being part of Abyei not because they are from Abyei but it is beacuse if Abyei decides to become part of the South which is going to be an independent country, then they will have no place graze. It is not a good tactics anyhow.
Wiyual Wech Puk D. Payol.
Sudan’s SPLM officials and a local leader urge formation of Abyei referendum commission
the Abyei case could be normally considered in the peace process,since the country will result in the separation between north and south.the people of southern sudan have no where to left those Dinka Ngok of Abyei.Abyei is belonging to the south sudan,except the grand father of Dinka Ngok of Abyei was so greedy to sold the land of Abyei with only 20 sudanese pound of Ibrahim Abud.