UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
by Toby Collins
May 25, 2011 (LONDON) – In a debate on the ongoing Abyei conflict in the House of Lords on 25 May the UN military’s capacity to protect civilians was discussed.
South Sudan ended more than two decades of civil war with the north in 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). One stipulation of the peace agreement was the opportunity for the South Sudanese to conduct a plebiscite in 2011. Another stipulation was a separate referendum in which Abyei’s citizens could choose the statehood of the border region. The South Sudanese voted overwhelmingly in favour of secession. Abyei’s citizens are yet to have their vote, which was scheduled for January 2011. The Republic of South Sudan is scheduled to declared its autonomy of 9 July 2011.
The UN estimates that 15,000 people have been displaced since the north’s army took control of Abyei on 22 May 2011. There are grave concerns that the flouting of the CPA could jeopardise the level of peace that has so far been achieved.
In the House of Lord’s debate Verma was asked the following by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
“…has the noble Baroness had a chance to study today’s BBC reports, which quote the United States ambassador to the United Nations talking about horrific reports of looting and burning in Abyei? Does this not point to the need to use Chapter VII powers in order to get UNMIS [UN Mission in Sudan] to put a peacekeeping force into Abyei in the short term, but also in the long term to deal with the up to 60 outstanding questions in the comprehensive peace agreement?”
“We already have Chapter VII in place and the noble Lord will be reassured that we are looking at the situation very carefully. It is on the Richter scale of the entire international community,” Verma responded.
Chapter VII is part of the UN charter which allows for the use of military force in the restoration of peace and security.
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK’s parliament from which legislature is debated and either passed or vetoed.
Verma further said “we condemn the recent attack on Abyei town by the Sudanese armed forces on 21 May and the attack by the SPLA [Sudan People’s Liberation Army] on a joint Sudanese armed forces and UN convoy on 19 May” which she described as a violation of the CPA.
She pointed out she would take “back to that department” Lord Anderson of Swansea’s suggestion that “this issue should be put back to the Security Council at the earliest possible stage” because of the threat it poses to the CPA.
UNMIS’s mandate allows them to intervene militarily but their disinclination to do so has raised doubts about their effectiveness.
“There is no need for the Mission’s existence if it is not prepared to protect civilians in their proximity,” said the Government of South Sudan’s Information Minister and official spokesperson on 7 March 2011.
With regards to the ongoing South Kordofan dispute, which has been overshadowed by events in Abyei, Baroness Cox said “the people there were so terrified of their future under Khartoum – they are in a very similar situation to Abyei – that they believed that they might have to take a pre-emptive strike”. She asked what reassurances could be given to the people of Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Abyei that “their future rights and their security and protection will be provided?”
To which Verma responded, “We urge, through President Mbeki’s AU High-Level Implementation Panel and the United Nations and UNMIS, that these issues are resolved peacefully, but we realise that it is a difficult area.“
The South Sudanese Sudan People’s Liberation Movement dispute the results of the South Kordofan election which were won by the north Sudanese National Congress Party’s Ahmad Harun , a man wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
(ST)
Lorolokin
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
International military intervention is the only solution which Khartoum understand very well, otherwise let wait after 09.07.11 they will have to run to Arabian peninsula where they come from.
This time round Khartoum can not play, we are not in 70’s,This International (Basher)wanted fugitive will smell his green fieces, is just a matter of time.
Kinkak
Chier Akueny
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
Thank you British and UNSC for that good move, please we request you to deal with this criminal so called Bashir for his misbehaviours towards the civilians of the the country.
Why do you start striking on them today? Look! Bashir want to block the decision of popular consultations in South Kordofan and South Blue Nile of which people should exercise their rights to determine their own fate. But the criminal is just there to crash them. Please hurry up and rescue the innocent civilians in these two states.
Thanks
Cibaipiath Junub Sudan
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
Bashir and his party groups should not this time called UK’s House Lords and US ” Sticks and carriots”. The matter has reached security concern for Sudan at large. CPA is elapsing and fire is reigniting again for South Sudan Vs North Sudan, South Blue Nile and South Kordofan since SAF does not want the existence of the SPLA/M in the latest States that belong to the North. Darfur conflicts remain in question. Military intervention is the only solution that will discipline Bashir and his war lords otherwise North Sudan remain a threat to peace for forthcoming decades.
Lo Isu
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
I would so much like to hear from this mujahedeen called Jalaby. This man always brags a lot about their (jallaba) military might. Truely the 40th day of SAF demise is fast approaching.
This time round we are shifting the playground to Khartoum so that this Jalaba living in luxury get a full dose of their own wine (dramatizing war always).
As for Bashir, Nafi, Haroun and the likes prepare your NECKS for the guillotine at ICC. And to the followers begin tracing your roots coz its time to pack your dirty belongings and leave Sudan as a whole.
Out, out, out, out and out of the land of blacks you Murderers!!!!
Jada Lotole
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
Many chances for apprehending and nailing down El-Bashir did and still do present themselves but the ICC, UNSC and other International security bodies failed and still failing to take up these Chances ! Hasn’ El-Bashir committed more attrocities than Gaddaffi ? It is crystal clear that Bashir has deprived and still depriving the innocent indigenes of Abyei of thier right to live a peaciful life , right of possession of thier God given craddle Land , right of choice , right of health and the list is endless ! Yet none of the so called the international security bodies has intervened ! Is El-Bashir more stronger than Gaddaffi ? Cant El-Bashir be dislodged from power once and for all so as to make Sudanese live in PEACE ? The blood of the innocent Abyei people is in the hands of thoes who have the power of forcing Bashir to cease killing, looting , starving to death of Abyei people and yet are Watching such attrocities happening as if it is a funny and entertaining game between Barcelona and Manchester United ! God will never forgive thoes who are able to bring peace BUT yet are adamant to do so ! Where is the arab leaue ? do you really implement your shariah -law ? Dont you think you have the obligation ask your so called Court of Shariah law to sermon El- Bashir to answer charges of killing the poor, unarmed and innocent people of Abyei ! Shame on you killers ! followers of a killer ! judgement day is soon coming when you will account before Our Living God for all your egoistic, lethal and diabolic deeds !
Nhomlawda
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
UNMIS is a useless institution in South Sudan in particular and Sudan at large. If their mandate include protecting civilians in areas of conflicts, why did they failed to protect civilians in Abyei twice (2011 and 2008) now? UNMIS must pack and disappear from South Sudan or those countries with those coward troops are called to recall their soldiers and new nations with brave soldiers are invited to contribute strong force that is able to perform it duty of protecting civilians at risk in the hands of SAF and its militias.
Civilians villages in Abyei and surrounding areas were scorched earth while a strong UNMIS force that is supposed to protect those civilians and their properties are just watching at the destruction.
UNMIS commanders (both political and military) must be fired and replaced immediately. They earned huge cash of tax payers’ money for not performing their prime duties.
Useless
Marco A. Wek
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
This bad news for Jalaby, Sam Eto, Supporter of north, Adam and Mohammed Ali and that is why they are not commenting on it. The military intervention will follow the hungging of Omar Al Bashir and his National Criminal Party gangs.
Wen De David Kuol
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
Now Bashir you please keep your tongue tied as you main your business in the North then South, we don’t need you any more You Foolish Arab, Wait for your death with Bashir, We need many Agreement, for what purpose when Abyei Referendum is already violated and War crime committed by Bashir with Mohammed aruon in Abyei again accounted to Darfur Genocide. How do you promise while doing opposite by lobbying for War???? BAshir must be serious otherwise there is no need of protecting from ICC prosecutor. Never Step into South Sudan while maintain your troops in Abyei.
You will see smoke in Khartuom with your Stupid Uncle Omer basher. Fuck,
saban John
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
British, am from south sudan but I urge you to leave Bashir alone because without arabs sudan would not get independence from you. Appreciate arabs instead
thanks
Marco A. Wek
UK’s House of Lords discuss military intervention in Abyei
Osama Bin Shatan AKA Saban John, the international community is going to kick your Jalaby butts before Southerners could do so because the international community leadership is sick and tired of your terrorism. You people have forced international communities to hate your way life which is full of terror. World will be a better place without your type.